Innovation and Service Design Librarian

Description

The University Library at UNC Chapel Hill invites applications from enthusiastic, collaborative, analytical, and user-centered individuals for the new position of Innovation and Service Design Librarian. Reporting to the Head of User Experience and Assessment, the Innovation and Service Design Librarian is responsible for seeking out opportunities for innovation and integrating new technologies into library services. This position will develop leading-edge service designs and apply user-centered processes in interdisciplinary teams, plus use systems analysis tools to iterate on and improve existing library services.

The Innovation and Service Design Librarian works closely with the Kenan Science Library Research Hub and Makerspace as a substantial component of his/her work. The successful candidate will also regularly work with staff from Library Information & Technology, Research & Instructional Services, the Research Hub, Library Administration, and other innovative campus units to deliver and improve existing digital and physical library services.

The Innovation and Service Design Librarian:

• Uses tools and methods such as service blueprints, journey maps, experience flows, and stimulus/response models to support incubation and integration of new technologies into library services
• Conducts reviews of existing library services and works with external and internal stakeholders to implement improvements
• Supports day-to-day operations in the Kenan Science Library Research Hub and Makerspace by participating in user consultations and working hands-on with the equipment
• Monitors emerging technologies with an eye toward applications in educational settings
• Oversees selection, purchasing, testing and deployment of emerging and innovative technologies
• Creates new service designs based on relevant user insights and effectively communicates them to stakeholders
• Conducts staff training and provides expertise on new and emerging technologies
• Participates in the design and maintenance of the library’s web content
• Serves as a bridge between campus libraries and other innovative campus units such as the BeAM (Be a Maker@Carolina) Network
• Conducts or participates in user research campaigns and other projects as a member of the User Experience & Assessment department
• Works to align the Libraries’ physical and online spaces
• Connects library services and programs across branches

The Library Research Hub program provides a network of digital scholarship support and spaces for Carolina researchers, distributed across three campus library locations. The Kenan Science Library Research Hub and Makerspace supports making, innovation and entrepreneurship and is also part of the BeAM (Be a Maker@Carolina) Network. It contains co-working and makerspaces, with a design and modelling center. It provides access to emerging technologies such as 3D printing and scanning, expert consultations, and conducts robust outreach and instruction programming.

Qualifications

Required

• ALA-accredited Master's degree in library or information science, or related advanced degree
• Knowledge of User Experience, Service Design, and Assessment practices, principles, and trends
• Familiarity with the work of academic research libraries
• Familiarity with emerging technologies and makerspaces in higher education
• An empathetic and creative mindset for working with users and developing new services
• High comfort with experimentation and intelligent risk-taking
• Demonstrated ability to learn and implement new technologies and tools
• Ability to work collaboratively in groups and manage projects effectively
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong commitment to user-centered public services
• Ability to establish priorities for projects and set appropriate deadlines
• A high level of motivation to develop ideas from paper to production

Preferred

• 2 years of related experience
• Experience in user-centered service design
• Knowledge of instructional methods and training techniques including curriculum design principles, learning theory, and group and individual teaching techniques
• Experience with any combination of the following: 3D printing, 3D scanning, electronics, Arduino, photogrammetry, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality
• Proficiency with tools such as Adobe CS, and/or 3D modeling software like Solidworks, Autocad, Autodesk, and Fusion

The University and The Libraries
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the country’s oldest state university. UNC Chapel Hill has an enrollment of approximately 29,000 students, employs more than 3,500 members of the faculty, and offers 69 doctoral degrees as well as professional degrees in medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and law. The UNC Health Sciences Library is part of the University Libraries and is a recognized leader within the Association of Academic Health Science Libraries. University Library collections include over 7.5 million volumes. The UNC Libraries also include the Research Hub, which provides spaces, technology, and expertise to assist with all phases of research. The Library is a member of the Association of Research Libraries and the Center for Research Libraries. Together with the libraries at Duke University, North Carolina Central University, and North Carolina State University, the members of the Triangle Research Libraries Network (TRLN) provide services and collections to their students, faculty, and staff in support of the education, research, and service missions of the universities.

The University Libraries are committed to increasing the diversity of its staff, and therefore welcomes applications from candidates who bring additional dimensions to our mission and work. The University Libraries invest proudly in our employees, strive to create a diverse environment of respect and collaboration, and encourage vision and innovation.

The Region
The Triangle region is one of the most desirable places to live and work in North America and offers its residents a wide array of recreational, cultural, and intellectual activities. The mountains and the seashore are less than half day's drive from Chapel Hill.

Salary and Benefits
This is a twelve-month academic librarian appointment; salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Standard state benefits of annual leave, sick leave, and State or optional retirement plan. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, librarians enjoy the benefit of academic status and are members of the faculty council.

Deadline for Application
Review of applications will begin on October 18, 2017.  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but preference will be given to applications received by the begin review date.

To Apply
Please visit http://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/126220 and complete the online application. Please include a letter of application, a resume and the name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number of three professional references, one of whom must be a current supervisor. Additionally, please indicate in your cover letter where you first learned of this position.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes all to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.