Sr. Systems Librarian, Emory University

Description

Reporting to the Head of Application Support (Library), the Sr. Systems Librarian is a key position with responsibility on providing high-quality, robust systems that facilitate search, discovery, and delivery of library services and resources to the entire Emory university campus.  The Senior Systems Librarian is an expert in library systems and works collaboratively with a wide range of libraries and units to support the discoverability of library resources in both the physical and digital realms.  The position works as part of a department that provides services to all libraries of Emory University.  This enterprise-wide department is a key component of Emory’s integrated information technology-library ecosystem.  This Senior Systems Librarian position contributes to the continuous improvement, extension, and integration of the Library’s various systems and increasingly sophisticated search tools, including the library service platform, integrated library system, discovery layer, website, ERM, knowledge base management, institutional repository, and other digital delivery platforms in support of faculty and student teaching, learning, research and scholarship.  Specific duties of the incumbent include the following:

• Serves as a Systems Librarian for the Emory Libraries including Robert W. Woodruff Library, Woodruff Health Sciences Library, Goizueta Business Library, Oxford College Library, Macmillan Law Library, and Pitts Theology Library.
• Pivotal member of the Library Applications Support Team heading up the systems administrative process of an enterprise migration from ILS to LSP (Library Services Platform) infrastructure. 
• Assists in administrating the core library systems including integrated library system (Ex Libris)/library services platform as well as search and discovery (PRIMO) ensuring successful delivery of integrated services that provide seamless user access to resources in the discovery layer. 
• Develops and maintains working knowledge of the university’s teaching, learning, and research programs and initiatives, and its academic goals and plans, to ensure that search, discovery, and delivery services of the library system meet and anticipate faculty and student needs.
• Monitors the market regarding implementation of new and emerging library applications and knowledge systems such as next generation library catalogs, aggregated discovery tools, research and collaboration systems, instructional technology, digital archives, and simulation and presentation tools.
• Works with usability specialists to assess user needs and expectations on a regular and ongoing basis to inform the direction of the program and the ongoing development of search, discovery, and delivery services.  Works with department and library staff to employ formal usability testing and data analysis to assess the effectiveness of services and technologies.
• Works closely with Metadata Specialists and with Content Division staff to deploy and configure systems to fully leverage the potential of metadata derived from disparate sources.
• Works closely with public and technical services staff in all libraries and with software engineers to ensure that systems are optimized for acquisitions, cataloging/metadata, and e-resource management operations. 
• Works with Web Development to assure a seamless look and feel to services supported or offered by the Library Applications Support Team.
• Helps to develop and maintain a master list of system upgrades, modifications, and fixes.
• Performs other duties related to library systems as needed to accomplish the goals of the department, division, and library.
• Participates in library committees related to primary job assignment as appropriate. 
• Represents the library on professional and scholarly association committees, task forces, work groups, and other entities at the local, state, regional, national, and international level as appropriate to position and area of expertise. 
• Participates in appropriate professional and scholarly associations and organizations including maintaining membership and/or accreditation; attending meetings, conferences, workshops; and serving in appointed or elected positions. 
• Presents on work-related topics and research at professional and scholarly conferences, symposia, and workshops. Publishes on work-related topics and research in professional and scholarly publications.
• Maintains up-to-date professional knowledge and skills in areas related to primary job assignment as well as maintaining general knowledge of current trends in higher education, academic libraries, and information and educational technology.

Required Qualifications 

• ALA-accredited master’s degree in Library and Information Science OR equivalent education and experience relevant to the position.
• Five or more years professional experience working as a Systems Librarian or professional with evidence of broad, in-depth technology and systems knowledge, skills, and experience in one or more areas of library systems – library automation/integrated library systems, library technology, search and discovery, Web services, etc. – in a major academic/research or large public library setting AND evidence of increasing levels of responsibility.
• Working knowledge and direct experience with integrated library systems and related search and discovery products (such as Ex Libris, Alma, Primo) and demonstrated understanding of the trends related to the ongoing development of such library systems and of emerging technologies and systems within this arena of library technology and automation.
• Mastery of standard web browser display and application technologies (HTML, XML, CSS, JavaScript, CGI, XSLT), including usability, accessibility and cross-browser compatibility issues. 
• Demonstrated understanding of client/server environment, and experience with software applications needed to administer application environments. This may include Microsoft Windows Server, UNIX/Linux, Oracle/SQL Server, XML, PNX, etc.
• Knowledge of cataloging principles, including MARC and RDA.
• Ability to work collaboratively with library directors and staff of different libraries in order to provide high-quality search and discovery services that meet the needs of diverse users throughout the Emory community.
• Knowledge/understanding of library acquisitions, cataloging, and e-resources management practices; awareness of trends in ejournal and ebook publishing, aggregation and distribution models and practices; and understanding of integration and interoperability of library systems (e.g., SFX, Aleph, Metalib, Primo), library repositories, websites, and vendor/publisher portals.
• Evidence of knowledge and understanding of semantic Web and linked data and the nature of metadata, systems, and user expectations of search and discovery.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the variety and complexity of type of resources and variety of formats available within academic libraries in support of teaching, learning and research.
• Understanding of need of different user communities and user search behavior in academic library settings and in arena of information seeking and use.
• Demonstrated understanding of role of software engineers, systems librarians, graphic designer, assessment specialist, subject specialists, etc. in designing and optimizing user experiences to discover and deliver resources both print and digital.
• Demonstrated proficiency and capabilities with personal computers and software, the Web, and library-relevant information technology applications.  Working knowledge of standard computer office applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint or other productivity software.
• Commitment to fostering a diverse educational environment and workplace and an ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty and student population.
• Capacity to thrive in an ambiguous, future-oriented environment of a major research institution and to respond effectively to changing needs and priorities.
• Evidence of active participation, involvement, and leadership in local, state, regional, national, or international professional or scholarly associations.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Ability to develop, implement, and assess business proposals and plans specifically information technology proposals and projects.
• Extensive knowledge of current and recent industry trends in search, discovery, and delivery systems and ability to maintain knowledge of developments in this arena in order to effectively plan for ongoing development of Emory search and discovery capabilities.
• Evidence of ability to articulate a system perspective for a multi-library campus and effectively implement a collaboratively-developed vision for search, discovery, and delivery services in a complex research library environment.

Application Procedures

Applications and nominations for the position are welcome and must be sent to Linda Nodine via email (eul-libjobs@emory.edu).  Applications may be submitted as Word or PDF attachments and must include:
1) letter of application describing qualifications and experience;
2) current resume/vita detailing education and relevant experience; and
3) on a separate document list the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of 3 professional references including a current or previous supervisor.  

Candidates applying by December 3rd will receive priority consideration.  Review of applications will continue until position is successfully filled. Emory is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer that welcomes and encourages diversity and seeks applications and nominations from women and minorities. 
Librarian appointees at Emory generally have educational credentials and professional backgrounds with academic library experience and/or disciplinary knowledge and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning, professional engagement and involvement, research and scholarship, creativity, innovation, and flexibility.   Such backgrounds will normally include a graduate degree from an ALA-accredited library and information science program AND/OR a discipline-specific master’s OR doctoral degree.  In addition to professional competence and service within the library in the primary job assignment, advancement and/or contract renewal requires professional involvement and contributions outside of the library and scholarly activities.  Candidates must show evidence or promise of such contributions. 

Description of Institution and Library

Emory University is internationally recognized for its outstanding liberal arts college, superb professional schools, and one of the South’s leading health care systems.  Emory’s beautiful, leafy main campus is located in Atlanta’s historic Druid Hills suburb and is home to 7,836 undergraduates and 6,677 graduate and professional students.  As the third largest private employer in Atlanta, Emory University and Emory Healthcare have a combined workforce of approximately, 27,937 and an annual operating budget of $4.3 billion.  Emory University received $507.1 million in research funding in 2013. Emory recently concluded a successful fundraising campaign that raised $1.69 billion from 149,000 donors.

Ranked among the top 25 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) in North America, Emory University Libraries in Atlanta and Oxford, Georgia are an intellectual commons for Emory University.  Comprised of 9 libraries, the holdings include more than 3.9 million print and electronic volumes, 83,000-plus electronic journals, and internationally renowned special collections.  Emory is well known in a number of collection areas including modern literature, African-American history and culture, U.S. Southern history and culture, and U.S. civil rights. Emory Libraries staff number approximately 137 and the overall library budget is approximately $25.3 million.  The Emory Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), and the Scholarly Publishing & Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) as well as regional associations including the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL), Georgia Library Learning Online (GALILEO), and the GETSM Consortium (a consortium of the University of Georgia, Emory, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, and Georgia Regents University).
The Emory Libraries include the Robert W. Woodruff Library, which is also home to the Manuscripts, Archives & Rare Book Library (MARBL).  Other campus libraries, which serve the specialized and professional schools, include the Goizueta Business Library, the Woodruff Health Sciences Library, the Pitts Theology Library and the Hugh F. MacMillan Law Library in addition to the Oxford College Library located on the Oxford Campus approximately 30 miles from Atlanta.

Emory University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Disability/Veteran Employer.