Head, Digital Services Unit

Description

Technical Services
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Rank:  Librarian 2-4 (Grades 24-27)
Requisition:  #23269BR
www.yale.edu/jobs


Yale University offers exciting opportunities for achievement and growth in New Haven, Connecticut.  Conveniently located between Boston and New York, New Haven is the creative capital of Connecticut with cultural resources that include two major art museums, a critically-acclaimed repertory theater, state-of-the-art concert hall, and world-renowned schools of Architecture, Art, Drama, and Music.

Position Focus:
Under the direction of the Head of Technical Services and working in close collaboration with units across the Beinecke Library and the Yale University Library, the Head of Beinecke Digital Services leads and coordinates the Beinecke Library’s digitization program, digital projects, and user experience initiatives that enhance access to and use of Beinecke Library and its collections, including the Beinecke Digital Library, collection web pages, and online exhibits. The Head leads and provides technical expertise in the investigation, development, and application of interfaces and tools that affect the user experience, as well as metadata and digitization workflows and standards.

The Head of Beinecke Digital Services liaises with the Yale University Library’s Information Technology and Digital Initiatives departments and works collaboratively with Yale University Library staff. The Head may represent the Beinecke within Yale University Library and nationally and internationally in discussions and committees pertaining to user experience initiatives, metadata, and digitization at Yale and is active professionally.

The Head of Beinecke Digital Services supervises the work of three senior photographers and three metadata catalog assistants to coordinate and supervise metadata creation, digitization, color management, and quality control activities. The Head participates in the Beinecke’s Technical Services Management Group to develop technical services strategies, policies, and procedures for the Beinecke Library.

Required Education, Skills and Experience:
1. Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library school or equivalent accredited degree. In selected instances, a post-graduate degree in museum studies or a related discipline in the humanities or social sciences may be substituted for a master’s degree in library science.
2. Excellent supervisory and strong leadership abilities.
3. Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of digital library standards and practices, such as digitization, digital preservation, standards for media content, metadata, controlled authorities, and user experience.
4. Project management skills, especially the ability to devise and achieve agreed-upon completion dates for projects; ability to multitask and keep priorities aligned to objectives; ability to identify and analyze problems in the context of special collections technology initiatives.
5. Excellent analytical, oral, and written communication skills, especially the ability to convey and explain to non-technical audiences the importance and impact of technology trends and issues relevant to the YUL’s operation and mission.
6. Strong commitment to customer service with well-developed interpersonal skills and demonstrated abilities to work collegially with staff, researchers, and colleagues, especially in the context of technology initiatives that are specific to academic libraries and special collections.

Yale University assigns ranks to librarian positions based on a combination of professional experience and accomplishments (see range assigned to this description as noted in the posting position title). Librarian ranking information can be found at: http://www.library.yale.edu/about/departments/lhr/rank.html.

Preferred Education, Skills and Experience:
1. Experience with agile and traditional project methodologies.
2. Professional experience with digital photography and color management.
3. Familiarity with intellectual property rights and Fair Use applied to libraries.
4. Familiarity with one or more major digital content management systems appropriate for repositories.
5. Knowledge of current digital library technologies, standards, and best practices.

The University and the Library:
The Yale University Library, as one of the world's leading research libraries, collects, organizes, preserves, and provides access to and services for a rich and unique record of human thought and creativity.  It fosters intellectual growth and is a highly valued partner in the teaching and research missions of Yale University and scholarly communities worldwide.  A distinctive strength is its rich spectrum of resources, including more than 15 million volumes and information in all media, ranging from ancient papyri to early printed books to electronic databases. The Library is engaged in numerous digital initiatives designed to provide access to a full array of scholarly information. Housed in 15 libraries, including Sterling Memorial, Beinecke, and Bass libraries, it employs a dynamic, diverse, and innovative staff of over 500 who have the opportunity to work with the highest caliber of faculty and students, participate on committees, and who are involved in other areas of staff development.  For additional information on the Yale University Library, please visit the Library's web site at www.library.yale.edu.

Salary and Benefits:
We invite you to discover the excitement, diversity, rewards and excellence of a career at Yale University. One of the country's great workplaces, Yale University offers exciting opportunities for meaningful accomplishment and true growth. Our benefits package is among the best anywhere, with a wide variety of insurance choices, liberal paid time off, fantastic family and educational benefits, a variety of retirement benefits, extensive recreational facilities, and much more.

How to apply:  Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.  Applications, consisting of a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three professional references should be submitted by applying online at http://www.yale.edu/jobs. The STARS req. ID for this position is 23269BR.  Please be sure to reference #23269BR in your cover letter.

Yale University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.  Yale values diversity in its faculty, staff, and students and strongly encourages applications from women and members of underrepresented minority groups.