Systems Librarian

Description

The Folger Shakespeare Library knows that an exceptional staff is the backbone of any great organization. We hire exceptionally qualified individuals who are committed to the mission, vision, and values of our organization. Our recruitment process strives to be interactive, accessible, and responsive. Once employed, the Folger provides a generous compensation, leave, and benefits package, as well as many opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Job Description:

The Folger Shakespeare Library, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, is seeking a Systems Librarian to join the Description and Imaging team within our Collections department. This individual, under the supervision of the Associate Librarian for Collection Description and Imaging, will provide knowledge and expertise in the areas of software programming and analysis, specializing in library technologies and services. This role is crucial to maintaining discovery and access to the Folger’s vast and rapidly growing print and digital collection. The Systems Librarian will ensure that the catalog and relative services and systems are properly maintained and will design, implement and maintain systems processes and procedures for the library. 

Successful candidates for this position will have demonstrated high attention to detail. They will incorporate both the skillsets of a programmer/analyst as well as that of an academic librarian with knowledge of library systems. 

The schedule for this role is Monday-Friday 8:45am-4:45pm. This position will occasionally take part in library activities outside regular business hours. Occasional travel may be required. This position will be primarily on-site with openness to hybrid modality. The selected candidate will need to be within a commutable distance to the D.C. office (DC, MD, VA) by their start date.  

Applications must be submitted by 4:30 PM ET on April 30th. The application portal for this role will be closed at that time.   

Health & safety: The health and well-being of all staff, contractors, and visitors is our top priority. While the Folger no longer requires masks or vaccinations (except for AEA spaces), we support and encourage individuals to take the safety precautions they are most comfortable with, and we ask that individual choices are respected. The Folger offers organization-funded healthcare plans for full-time staff and extensive leave options to all staff in the case of any health issues that arise.  

Compensation: 

• This is a monthly-paid salary position, with a pay range of $65,000-70,600 annually. 

• Total compensation includes an extensive benefits plan, including fully covered health, dental, and vision insurance, and a generous 403b match, outlined on our website. 

Duties: 

• Serves as the technical expert for the library’s ILS; maintains and enhances its operations as well as applications that support its service. 

• Provides leadership in solving problems associated with the ILS and other services. 

• Develops and documents internal processes and procedures to support library operations. 

• Monitors industry trends and best practices related to library technology and recommends improvements to existing tools and workflows as appropriate. 

• In collaboration with the Associate Librarian, participates in long-range planning processes for the library, including recommending systems changes or updates. 

• Collaborates with librarians and colleagues across the department to support various library services. 

• Collaborates with IT to ensure systems are properly supported and to address any possible problems that may arise. 

Education and Experience:  

• Master’s degree in library or information science, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Minimum of three years’ experience with integrated library systems (ILS).  

• Progressive experience in technical analysis, enterprise systems deployment, complex system configuration, or technical implementation of library systems and services 

• Experience with project management.  

• Programming experience in support of library-related systems. 

Skills and Knowledge: 

• Working knowledge of library business processes and automation 

• Familiarity with library metadata standards including MARC and other common library tools 

• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work with staff across the institution.   

• Ability to successfully support and communicate with persons at all levels of technical ability. 

• Excellent organizational, analytic, and abstraction skills. 

• Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies and adapt to change. 

• Demonstrated commitment to and support for an inclusive environment for staff and library users. 

• Commitment to fostering a collaborative work environment and presenting diplomatic, adaptable and pragmatic approaches to problem-solving.  

• Ability to work creatively in a rapidly changing complex environment, set priorities, and meet deadlines.   

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements: 

This position operates in a professional office and library/museum environment. The employee may be exposed to various components of an office environment, such as fluorescent lighting, pollen, dust, recycled air, cooling fans, semi-enclosed areas, central heating, seasonal warmer temperatures, and office noise. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• Occasional work outside of normal office hours, including Saturday’s and late nights. These dates will be prescheduled, with very rare last-minute shifts. 

• Must have dexterity to handle fragile items with great care. 

• Ability to work at a computer for an extended period of time, with accuracy, is required. Desk includes sit-stand options. 

• Willingness and capacity to work in an office environment at a workstation, and to come and go repeatedly throughout the day as needed to perform various responsibilities is needed. 

• Capacity to communicate, in-person or using video, phone, or electronic communication methods in a manner which can be understood by others, is required. 

• Must be able to shelve and retrieve books, climb stairs and lift reference material up to 20 pounds and push fully loaded book carts. 

Interested individuals should submit their cover letter and resume through the application portal. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted. No phone calls please

The Folger is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To learn more about our benefits, please click here.