User Experience Librarian

Description

User Experience Librarian
Northwestern University Libraries

REPORTS TO: Head, Assessment and Planning
POSITION TYPE: Full-time Librarian Faculty
LOCATION: Evanston Campus

SUMMARY: Northwestern University seeks a user experience librarian who will design and carry out user studies focusing on system usability and accessibility. Communicate and translate results into realistic, evidence-based recommendations and work closely with other staff to implement meaningful system and user-interface improvements. Act as the library’s accessibility coordinator, which entails working directly with users to understand and fulfill accommodation needs; representing the libraries in campus and consortial initiatives; and helping to ensure that accessibility factors are incorporated into system, facilities, and service development planning. Participate in a range of projects and operations carried out by the assessment and planning work group. Serve as library liaison to one or more academic or other university constituencies.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and conduct user testing for new and existing patron-facing systems and work with relevant stakeholders and work groups on developing and implementing recommendations based on testing.
• Develop and maintain an improvement backlog for user systems based on testing and assist in prioritization and management of improvement projects.
• Conduct staff training on new and existing systems with a focus on understanding and meeting user needs.
• Work with library units on the continued development of our library discovery and open source repository systems.
• Help evaluate user experience aspects of potential new systems.
• As the libraries’ accessibility coordinator, serve as a point of contact for patron accessibility issues and work with relevant work groups to resolve or develop any accommodations necessary.
• Maintain regular contact and work with staff from campus offices for technology, accessibility, student services and other functions related to user experience.
• Help raise awareness of accessibility issues among library staff, especially in the context of service and resource development planning.
• Represent the libraries in accessibility- and user experience-related groups and consortial partnerships, including the Big Ten Academic Alliance accessibility project.
• Participate in a range of projects and/or continuing operations of the assessment and planning work group; activities may include, for instance, conducting interviews and facilitating surveys of users.
• Serve as a library liaison to one or more academic or other university constituencies.
• Engage in scholarly activities and provide service to the university, community, and profession.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

Required

• Graduate degree in librarianship, information studies, or other discipline relevant to planning, developing and implementing usability and accessibility initiatives.
• Work experience in an academic library or other higher education or cultural heritage environment.
• Successful customer service or customer assistance experience; record of responsiveness to client or customer needs.
• Coursework, work experience, or other demonstrated knowledge of user needs assessment methods, such as A/B testing, card sorting, or heuristic evaluation.
• Understanding of accessibility issues as they relate to library services.
• Record of successful collaboration with colleagues.
• Excellent communication skills: ability to listen actively, speak and write clearly, and effectively present information and ideas to groups.
• Commitment to supporting the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion and to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment/workplace for students, researchers, and employees.

Preferred

• ALA-accredited degree in librarianship or its equivalent.
• Experience with user testing software, such as Morae.
• Successful project management experience; experience implementing user study recommendations helpful.
• Experience conducting interviews and focus groups.
• Experience with grant proposals and sponsored research projects.
• Familiarity with content management systems and web analytics.
• Familiarity with survey management systems, such as Qualtrics.
• Familiarity with the design thinking process and theory.
• Enthusiasm for learning organization principles and readiness to embrace Northwestern University Libraries organizational values as stated in our Strategic Plan.

Library Environment:
Northwestern University is a highly selective private university with campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois and in Doha, Qatar. One of the leading private research libraries in the United States, Northwestern University Library serves the educational and information needs of the NU community as well as scholars around the world. Its collection contains more than 7 million volumes, a full array of digital resources, and collections of distinction in Africana, transportation, and 20th-century and contemporary music. Northwestern is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA). See more information about University Libraries at: http://www.library.northwestern.edu

First consideration for applications received by November 15th, 2019.

Please apply for this position on the NUHR Recruitment Website https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/careers/index.html

As per Northwestern University policy, this position requires a criminal background check. Successful applicants will need to submit to a criminal background check prior to employment.

Equal Opportunity:
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.

To view the job posting and/or apply for the job, click here
https://careers.northwestern.edu/psp/hr857prd_er/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=37468&PostingSeq=1