HathiTrust Collection Services Specialist

Description

HathiTrust Digital Library has an opportunity for a collaborative and
service-focused individual to plan and manage the activities necessary to
expand the content held in the HathiTrust collection and related programs.

HathiTrust is a growing partnership of research and academic libraries that
are working together to ensure permanent access to the record of human
knowledge. HathiTrust was founded in 2008 to develop a common good approach
to the development of library collections and services at the largest
possible scale. Today HathiTrust member libraries number more than 125
worldwide. Together they support a certified trusted digital repository
holding more than 15 million digitized books, and a number of programs that
extend the power of this collection, including:

- The HathiTrust Research Center, based at the University of Illinois
and Indiana University, develops and offers services supporting advanced
computational research using the HathiTrust collections.
- The HathiTrust Shared Print Program secures retention commitments at
member libraries for print holdings that mirror book titles in the
HathiTrust digital collection.
- The HathiTrust U.S. Federal Documents Program expands digital access
to all U.S. federal publications by building a comprehensive HathiTrust
digital collection of federal documents.

The Collection Services Specialist is the primary contact for members,
staff, and development partners regarding the deposit and ingest of
collections and metadata. This is a special opportunity to support the
continued growth of the largest digital book collection in the public
sector. The successful candidate will have experience in operating aspects
of digital libraries and enjoy their challenges. The individual who joins
our team will be service-minded, excited to work with others to solve
problems, communicate comfortably and clearly via various methods, have
excellent focus and attention to detail, and enjoy wrangling data.

This position at the University of Michigan reports to the HathiTrust
Director of Services and Operations. The Collection Services Specialist is
an employee of the University of Michigan and operates within the rules and
policies of the University of Michigan. Relocation to Ann Arbor, MI is
required. This position will be a full-time, three-year term appointment
with the possibility of renewal.

*Responsibilities*
1) Content ingestion (65%)

- Manages ingestion of digital content and bibliographic metadata,
including descriptive and holdings data. Coordinates with contributor
contacts and HathiTrust staff to manage ingest data and digital content.
This includes:
- Digital content and associated descriptive metadata corresponding
to contributions from a variety of digitization sources and collection
building projects.
- Print holdings and retention metadata from all HathiTrust members
to support HathiTrust services, programs, and budgeting.
- Establishes and documents standardized workflows for collections and
metadata submission.
- Maintains content and metadata specifications and other
documentation for contributors.
- Prepares and presents orientation sessions for new contributors
about HathiTrust ingestion processes.
- Reviews overall workflows and solicits contributor and staff input
to continually improve workflows.
- Evaluates as needed file formats for feasibility to preserve in
HathiTrust, in coordination with preservation specialists at the
University
of Michigan and HathiTrust member institutions.
- Manages contribution workflows: metadata contribution, content
contribution and ingest, content quality remediation, and metadata
enrichment.
- Sets up ingestion of new content streams and maintains tracking
systems for processing steps.
- Answers questions from members and other contributing institutions
about procedures and specifications for contributing metadata and content.
- Trouble-shoots ingestion issues with HathiTrust systems staff and
Zephir metadata management system staff on behalf of contributors.
- Maintains ingestion statistics and reporting.

2) Program support (25%)

- Analyzes data and prepares reports and visualizations to support
decision making for collection development, member services, and other
purposes as needed, working with database specialists from University of
Michigan staff.

3) Preservation practices (10%)

- Documents and ensures compliance with guidelines and best practices
for preservation of HathiTrust digital content over the long term.

*Required Qualifications*

- Bachelor's degree in related field. For appointment as a librarian, an
ALA-accredited master’s degree, or a relevant advanced degree, is required.
- Strong organizational skills and demonstrated skills in project
management for discrete, small to mid-size projects.
- Experience in at least one of these related areas: digital repository
management, large-scale digitization, metadata management, library
bibliographic data management.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong customer service mindset.
- Demonstrated ability to form successful collaborative relationships
across complex organizations involving diverse stakeholders.

*Desired Qualifications*

- Master's degree in library/information science, archives management,
or a related field.
- Expert analytical skills and ability to combine, manipulate and
normalize datasets from diverse sources for purposes of query and analysis.
Familiarity with data visualization tools such as Tableau.
- Experience in all of these areas: digital repository management,
large-scale digitization, metadata management, library bibliographic data
management.
- Understanding of digital preservation core concepts such as digital
content lifecycle, format stability, fixity checks, etc.

*Benefits, Rank, and Salary*

Appointment is anticipated as a Project Intermediate Manager or at the rank
of Assistant or Associate Librarian. Salary and rank are dependent on the
candidate’s qualifications and experience. Librarian appointments carry
with them increased expectations regarding professional development,
professional engagement, research, and service, in keeping with the
library’s process for librarian promotion and advancement.

The University of Michigan offers excellent benefits and wellness
opportunities. This position receives 24 days of vacation a year and 15
days of sick leave a year with provisions for extended benefits, as well as
opportunities for professional development and travel. TIAA-CREF and
Fidelity Investments retirement options are available.

*How to Apply*

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should
be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should
address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and
experience that directly relate to this position. Apply here.

*U-M EEO/AA Statement*

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
employer.