Digital Initiatives Librarian

Description

Position summary: Under the direction of the Digital Initiatives Manager, the Digital Initiatives Librarian serves as technical lead for the department, assessing complex digital project requirements and providing technical solutions that balance quality, efficiency, and sustainability. As a key member of Digital Initiatives and Services, the Librarian increases the visibility and usability of digital resources in support of the Newberry’s teaching and research mission. Projects may include the development and ongoing care of digital collections and digital publications; review, selection, and implementation of DAMS; digital platform implementation; and the development and execution of scripted data remediation.

Responsibilities:

• Evaluating, implementing, configuring, and maintaining digital library and digital publishing tools and platforms;
• Cleaning and transforming data sets for cross-platform use;
• Coordinating and optimizing workflows for bulk processes around digital asset management maintenance and troubleshooting;
• Working with content developers on the design and ongoing maintenance of a wide variety of digital resources;
• Providing technology consulting to Newberry colleagues and community partners as required;
• Contributing to the development and implementation of departmental policies, procedures, and strategies related to the management and long-term access of digital resources;
• Pursuing knowledge of current and emerging digital library issues and opportunities that can be applied to departmental efforts;
• Contributing to the national and international reputation of the Newberry through participation in relevant professional development opportunities.

Qualifications:

• MLS from an ALA-accredited institution (candidates who will be completing MLS requirements imminently are also encouraged to apply) and 1-3 years of relevant library experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience;
• Familiarity with tools, methodologies, and emerging trends related to digital asset management, digital collections, and digital scholarship;
• Relevant technical skills, including facility with metadata standards (e.g. MARC, EAD, Dublin Core) and repository platforms (e.g. Omeka, Scalar, CONTENTdm);
• Positive outlook and willingness to learn with ability to tolerate ambiguity, think creatively, and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical collaborators;
• Proven ability to problem solve and collaborate;
• Experience creating, editing, and executing scripted transformations on XML and JSON data is preferred;
• Experience developing digital resources and publications in an academic, library, or museum setting using tools such as Python, Javascript, HTML, CSS, web service APIs, and SQL databases preferred.

Department summary: Digital Initiatives and Services works to integrate digital tools and methodologies throughout the Newberry, providing expertise, resources, and services related to: open access digital collections; internal digital asset management; digital publishing for exhibitions, pedagogy, and research projects; and participatory archives initiatives. DIS works closely with colleagues/content developers throughout the Newberry to ensure that digitized collection items are easy for users to discover, understand, and repurpose. Areas of focus include digital publishing platforms, digital project management, data services, infrastructure support, and cultural heritage crowdsourcing.

Schedule: Full-time, 35-hour work week, Monday through Friday and an occasional Saturday; Exempt status.

Benefits: Group life, health, dental, and vision insurance; fifteen vacation days first year and twenty days thereafter, two personal days and paid holidays annually; long term disability, long term care and retirement plan match available after one year of service.

Date Available: Immediately