A joint project shared by the Metro Edmonton Federation of Libraries - Edmonton Public Library, St. Albert Public Library, and Strathcona County Library.
We are accepting applications from Edmonton and area writers for two positions as Writers in Residence for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2024.
Goals of the Writer in Residence Program:
- To support writers through 1-on-1 consultations, workshops, and mentorship
- To connect with relevant groups and organizations in the host community to do outreach and provide programming
- To act as a living link between the Library and the community
- To connect with and encourage the imagination of readers
- To provide time, space, and resources for a published author to grow their body of work
The successful candidates will work individually and collaboratively to develop regional programming and projects. Writers are expected to collaborate with each other and across all participating library systems. These full time positions (35 hours/week) may include days, evenings and/or weekends. The Writers in Residence will devote 50% of their time to library programs and projects for all ages, and 50% of their time to personal writing projects.
One of the Writers in Residence will work out of Edmonton Public Library - Stanley A. Milner Branch, with their primary area of responsibility being the residents of the City of Edmonton. The other Writer in Residence will split their time between Strathcona County Library and St. Albert Public Library. Working space will be provided.
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This is a 10.5 month non-renewable contract that will pay each Writer in Residence $42,488. Additional funds may be available for programming support. A six-week break is included in the program.
Requirements:
- Resident of Edmonton or surrounding area
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
- Minimum of one professionally published, critically reviewed title.
- Instruction and facilitation experience in the area of creative writing.
- Active participant in a local writing community.
- Comfortable working with the public in one-on-one and group settings.
- Interest in, and ability to, provide online consultation and programs.
- Currently working on a writing project intended for publication.
- Familiarity with library programs and services and a desire to be a community advocate for public libraries.
- Must have reliable transportation to allow for travel throughout the metro Edmonton area
Conditions of Employment:
- Submission of Satisfactory Criminal Records Check and Vulnerable Sector Check.
Expressions of interest must include:
- Cover letter
- Resume clearly outlining literary publications and background in the literary field, experience working with the public, teaching experience or other forms of public presentation
- List of ideas with brief descriptions for library workshops and community programming
- Please include an explanation of how programming could be adapted to different communities in and around Edmonton
- Please include workshops that you would present without invited guests
- Preference for regional or EPL residency, if any
- Description of a personal writing project or projects to be undertaken throughout the residency
- Two letters of reference from members of the writing community
- A sample of recent writing (maximum 5 pages) along with any reviews of earlier works
Application deadline: 11:59 pm Sunday September 17, 2023. Please submit applications electronically in pdf format to: msteinhusen@sapl.ca, Attn: Writers In Residence Selection Committee
Please note that previous Metro Edmonton Writers in Residence must wait at least 5 years before applying again. They will only be considered for the location(s) where they have not previously held the writer in residence position.
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The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) has come a long way since 1913 when books were all you could find on our shelves... and we’re just getting started! Today, EPL carries everything you care about. We are Edmonton’s largest lender of all manner of information and entertainment. The second most visited place in Edmonton, every year EPL hosts over 16 million in-branch and online visits across our 21 branches and website. We deliver our incredible content to you everywhere – in the library, at home or on your handheld device. Unmatched access and unrivalled value – that is today’s EPL. EPL is a registered charity and relies on donations to enhance services. Spread the words. www.epl.ca/donate.
St. Albert Public Library is your place to be, to meet and to grow. Housed in the architectural jewel St. Albert Place, nestled on the banks of the Sturgeon River, the Library is a welcoming, accessible community hub that offers award-winning services and programs to a community of over 66,000. We’re St. Albert’s gathering place: where people access information, resources and the support of our exceptional staff, where they find diverse and fun opportunities for their leisure time, and where they connect with their community. At St. Albert Public Library, we are driven by the desire to meet the evolving needs of the community. sapl.ca
At the heart of a vibrant urban/rural community of 100,000 Strathcona County Library (SCL) encourages literacy and lifelong learning, fosters community connections, and offers programs and services that inform, engage, and entertain. SCL provides excellent and accessible services from a central library in the Strathcona County Community Centre, and an award-winning Bookmobile. sclibrary.ca
