Digital Access Librarian

Description

The University of Notre Dame's Hesburgh Libraries seeks an innovative and collegial individual to bring energy, creativity, expertise, and leadership to the position of Digital Access Librarian.  The Digital Access Librarian is responsible for envisioning the information architecture, coordinating user experience and evaluation activities, and collaborating on the implementation of the web technology for the Hesburgh Libraries' web presence.
 
The Digital Access Librarian enhances the functionality and effectiveness of the Libraries websites and online services in support of teaching, learning, research, and scholarship. The Digital Access Librarian:

• coordinates user experience by engaging internal and external stakeholders through interviews, teams, usability activities, and other feedback mechanisms to ensure that user perspectives are embedded in the planning and execution of the Libraries’ website, discovery tools, and web based services,
• collaborates in the design, implementation, information architecture, and management of the website, discovery tools, and web based services.

The Digital Access Librarian:

• collaborates in the design, implementation, and management of the Libraries’ website, discovery tools, and web based service using the web standards and implementation tools currently employed by the Libraries,
• collaborates in the design, implementation, and management of a content management system for the Libraries, including responsibility for configuration, customization, and user support,
• leads the design, implementation, and management of the Libraries' Intranet,
• leads internal education on deploying web technologies for web content creation, including training internal stakeholders how to write for the web,
• regularly examines the usability of the Libraries' website and conducts usability tests, surveys, focus group interviews, and interprets usage metrics, then collaborates on the design, modification, and implementation of integrating user feedback and website usage into the website, discovery tools, and web based services,
• leads feedback collection from both internal and external users,
• explores the innovative use of new technologies and evaluates their applicability to the Libraries,
• monitors trends and best practices in web technology, content management, usability, user engagement, and web based discovery, and
• acts as a liaison between users and technologists.

The Digital Access Librarian reports to the Head of the Web and Information Systems Technology
Department.  As a member of the University faculty, the Digital Access Librarian is expected to
contribute to the profession and stay current with emerging trends in web technology and the library
profession.

Required qualifications:

• A strong knowledge and demonstrated application of usability, usability testing, and information architecture concepts.
• Demonstrated experience in the deployment of information technologies relevant to
• Web site design and maintenance such as XHTML, CSS, and XML.
• Basic experience and knowledge of various metadata schemas and their application, including the ability to effectively apply metadata in traditional and digital library environments.
• An ALA-accredited MLS degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated excellent written and oral communications skills
• Strong service orientation.
• The ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative and team-oriented environment.
• The ability to take a leadership role in group activities. 

Optional Qualifications:

• While not necessary, experience with web scripting and programming language such as PERL, php, Ruby, and Javascript a plus.

Salary and Benefits:
Appointment salary and rank are competitive, commensurate with experience and qualifications.  Librarians are non-tenured track members of the Library Faculty.  The University offers an excellent benefits and annual vacation package.