Library Developer

Description

LibraryThing is looking for a great developer to work on our library
projects.

*Win $1,000 in Books!*
If you find us one—or you find yourself—you get $1,000 in books from the
independent bookstore of your choice!

*The Job*
This job is focused on what LibraryThing does for libraries. These include
Syndetics Unbound, co-developed with ProQuest, and TinyCat. You will also
be involved in parsing library data for LibraryThing.com and other company
projects, as needed.

Depending on interest and experience, you may also be involved in machine
learning, systems architecture, or mobile programming.

*Need to Have*

- *PHP. *LibraryThing runs on PHP, in mostly non-OO code. We love PHP
people, but it's not rocket science, so other, flexible programmers are
welcome to apply.
- *JavaScript. *We try to do as much as possible on the back end, but
JavaScript is a must.
- *HTML/CSS. *This is not a design job, but you should understand both
well.

*Good to Have*

- *Library Degree. *An MLS or equivalent degree is a plus.
- *Library Experience. *This job is geared to library and
library-industry developers. Other programmers are welcome to apply if you
are excited about working with library and book-world data.
- *UX/UI Experience. *We will use any design, UX, or UI experience you
have.
- *Python. *We also use Python, both for working with library data and
machine-learning.
- *MySQL. *Again, not rocket science, but true expertise in MySQL takes
time and is valuable.

*Non-Technical*

- LibraryThing is an informal, high-energy, small-team environment.
Programming is rapid, creative, and unencumbered by process. We put a
premium on speed, reliability, communication, and responsibility. If this
sounds attractive, we want you.
- LibraryThing has been proudly remote for 15 years. Working remotely
puts a premium on communication skills, discipline, and internal motivation.
- All LibraryThing employees come up with ideas and solutions to
problems on their own. We also develop and refine ideas together. We need
your ideas and your criticism as much as your labor.
- All LibraryThing employees interact with users directly. We believe
that “the user is not broken.”
- Interesting, passionate people make interesting, passionate products
and are fun to work with. This is also the rare job for which a masters in
Medieval Irish or a side gig as a jazz bassist is a plus. Of course, we all
love books, libraries and bookstores.

*Location and Compensation ($60–120k)*
This is a remote job open to anyone eligible to work in the US. We’d love
to employ people outside the US, but the legal hassles are generally too
much for us as a small company.

We are looking to work with the right person, not filling a spot with a
clearly-delineated set of responsibilities and a predetermined salary. *We
will consider everything from junior to senior candidates. The salary range
reflects that.*

LibraryThing offers excellent health and dental insurance. Employees pay no
premiums. We require hard work but are unusually flexible about hours and
family commitments.

*How to Apply*
Before you apply, you should make sure you can do the LibraryThing
Programming Quiz, which is something like Jeff Atwood’s “Fizz Buzz.” Our
interviews include a simple programming quiz not unlike that. If you object
to such things, please do not apply.

Send a cover-letter email and PDF resume to info@librarything.com. Your
cover letter should go through this job advertisement, responding to it,
briefly.

*The Fine Print*
LibraryThing is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate
against any employee or applicant on the basis of religion, race, color,
national or ethnic origin, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender
identity or expression, pregnancy status, parental status, marital status,
veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable
federal, state or local law. Did you read this far? Prove that you did by
making your email subject line “Gouda Cheese: [Your name].”