Coordinating Discovery Systems Librarian

Description

A wide range of student and faculty-centered services are the cornerstone of the Libraries’ integral role in the University of North Texas community. As the most-used service on campus and an essential component of education and research at the University of North Texas, the Libraries offer access to an abundant collection of more than 6 million items (print and digital) along with expert personnel to assist patrons in achieving their academic and scholarly goals. We provide innovative and inclusive programs and support to enhance the intermingling of teaching, learning, and research at UNT.

The University of North Texas is a student-centered public research university with 44,000 students. A Carnegie-ranked Tier One public research university, UNT is one of the nation’s most diverse universities. UNT has been designated as both a Minority Serving Institution and Hispanic Serving Institution and stands committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in its pursuit of academic excellence. We are big and bold | All About UNT

With 7.5 million people and two international airports, DFW is the fourth-largest metro area in the United States. DFW is racially, ethnically, religiously, and culturally rich and maintains a long-standing commitment to the arts exemplified by local attractions such as the Dallas Arts District and the Fort Worth Cultural District. UNT’s proximity to these major metropolitan centers ensures that our new colleague will be able to access a wide range of activities and cultural experiences. The university also has a generous benefits, leave and perks package.

UNT is located in Denton, Texas, a growing city with a small-town feel and a thriving arts and music scene centered on its downtown Square and is connected by highways and light rail to the major transportation hubs and big-city attractions of Dallas and Fort Worth, about 40 miles away. Want to know more about why you should consider coming to Denton? Check out Discover Denton.

UNT has a highly diverse campus with a wide range of languages spoken in addition to English. We welcome candidates who have experience with HSI/MSIs and/or who speak Spanish, Vietnamese, American Sign Language, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin and other variations), Arabic, Tagalog, Farsi, French, or/and Yoruba.

In the UNT Libraries, we define diversity in the broadest terms because we recognize that the best solutions come from a diverse mix of perspectives and backgrounds. We value the qualities, both visible and invisible, that our colleagues bring to their work every day and understand that our differences are our greatest strength.

We recognize our responsibility to foster an open, welcoming environment where students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds can collaboratively learn, work, and serve. We are dedicated to creating a climate that values and actively promotes an equitable and inclusive environment that removes barriers to full participation.

The Coordinating Discovery Systems Librarian (CDSL) acts as the primary administrator of the Integrated Library System (ILS), collaborating with stakeholders to support and improve day-to-day system operations. The CDSL also performs user-based research studies of library discovery systems with a goal of supporting and improving those systems in furtherance of user’s own research goals.

The CDSL exercises broad independent judgment and authority under the direction of the User Interfaces Unit Head and serves on Libraries committees and work groups as assigned.

Specific Position Responsibilities

• Collaborates with stakeholders throughout the library to develop projects that test user interfaces and evaluate web-based discovery systems, employing a variety of user-testing methodologies and data analysis techniques. Works with stakeholders and unit members to interpret evaluation results and determine how the results should inform future development.
• Provides guidance and planning for improving the ILS, the library website, and resource discovery interfaces so they better support end users’ needs-both staff and patrons-in accordance with the UNT Libraries’ mission and strategic goals. Works with the User Interfaces Unit Head and Discovery Systems Development Librarian to produce relevant unit goals and objectives. Participates in implementation and, when it makes sense, maintenance of planned improvements.
• Serves as ILS administrator, with other User Interfaces Unit members serving as secondary or backup administrators. ILS administration responsibilities include the following.

   

  • Participating in the maintenance of the ILS and related applications: monitoring system functions, building reports, planning and monitoring system upgrades, and performing other regular system management duties as needed.
  • Investigating and implementing solutions that solve ILS-related needs for the Libraries staff and patrons: installing or enabling new features, acquiring new products, customizing the system, etc.
  • Developing and conducting training for Libraries staff to help ensure proper functioning of the ILS.
  • Keeping the Libraries staff informed about ILS-related news: new features, new issues and problems, training opportunities, etc.
  • Participating in the enhancement request processes and other activities of the Innovative User Group (IUG).
  • Coordinating with both Lib TACO and Innovative, Interfaces, Inc. as needed to resolve problems.
  • Serving as a member of the Cataloging and Circulation Workgroups.
• Fosters positive relations with faculty, students, and staff and promotes the University’s and Libraries’ commitment to diversity.