Friday, November 7, 2008

Digital Initiatives Outreach Librarian

The University of Vermont Libraries seeks a service-oriented, innovative, and energetic librarian for the position of Digital Initiatives Outreach Librarian. The Institute for Museum and Library Services has recently awarded the University of Vermont a 24-month grant to continue development of the Libraries’ digital initiatives.

The Digital Initiatives Outreach Librarian will implement outreach, educational, and assessment efforts for the University of Vermont Libraries’ Center for Digital Initiatives (CDI, http://cdi.uvm.edu). In collaboration with CDI and Special Collections staff, the Digital Initiatives Outreach Librarian will adopt a user-centered approach to working with constituents, including UVM faculty, students and staff; researchers; and the general public.

The Outreach DIL will assess and increase the CDI’s user base, collaborate with appropriate faculty to integrate digital collections into UVM’s curriculum, and encourage campus and community participation in the development of digitization projects. He or she will also advance the grant project’s goal of developing collaborative relationships with other institutions.

The University of Vermont (UVM) is home to more than 12,000 undergraduate, graduate, and medical school students and more than 1,250 full- and part-time faculty. UVM is located in the thriving urban center of Burlington in the beautiful Champlain Valley, an area distinguished by spectacular scenery, year-round outdoor recreational opportunities, vibrant music and arts scene, and overall high quality of life. Burlington International Airport offers frequent jet access to major Atlantic and Midwest hubs, and the city of Montreal, Canada, is an easy drive 100 miles/160 km to the northwest.

With a collection size of 1.5 million volumes and an annual acquisitions budget of $5.6 million, the University Libraries consists of Bailey/Howe Library, Dana Medical Library, Cook Chemistry/Physics Library, and two remote storage facilities. The Libraries established the Center for Digital Initiatives, a gateway to digital resources at UVM, with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). A grant from IMLS in 2005-2007 enabled the Libraries to purchase hardware and software, hire a digital librarian, and build the Center’s first digital collections.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Conducts an evaluation of CDI users/usage at the beginning of the grant period, and an overall project evaluation at the conclusion, using tools developed in collaboration with CDI staff;

Establishes and implements an education outreach plan, engaging the UVM community and local K-12 educators in the use and creation of CDI resources.

Actively communicates with library liaisons to academic departments about the CDI and its possible applications in the disciplines they cover;

Publicizes the CDI’s collection development process and plays an active role in encouraging and developing proposals for content creation;

Responds to digital project proposals submitted by community members, guiding them through the project evaluation and selection process;

Provides leadership for CDI communications by developing publicity materials, in collaboration with the Assistant to the Dean for External Relations, to inform target audiences and the public at large about CDI news, resources, and project opportunities;

Organizes a small conference of Vermont cultural heritage stakeholders to explore possibilities for collaborative projects and strategies for establishing statewide standards, resource-sharing, and evaluation;

With Special Collections’ Manuscript Curator and the Digital Initiatives Librarian, assumes shared responsibility for CDI project management.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program or foreign equivalent;

Demonstrated knowledge of current issues in digital librarianship;

Demonstrated experience with outreach and/or communications techniques such as publicizing events, services, or collections; the creation of public programming; and the use of marketing techniques

Ability to work both independently and collegially as a member of a team;

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

Commitment to professional achievement and growth;

Statement of commitment to diversity and inclusion required. For more information regarding the University of Vermont's diversity initiatives, please visit the President's web site at: http://www.uvm.edu/president.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience with assessment/evaluation techniques;

Programmatic experience in an educational setting;

Demonstrated project management experience.

SALARY AND APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Appointment will be made at the faculty rank of Library Assistant Professor (non-tenure track). Salary is commensurate with experience, not less than $45,921. Benefit package includes TIAA/CREF or alternate plan, managed health care plan, and 22 days of annual vacation leave.

Apply online at http://www.uvmjobs.com with letter of application, statement of commitment to diversity and inclusion, vita, and names and contact information for three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position may be directed to the chair of the search committee at selene.colburn@uvm.edu. The University of Vermont is an AA/EO employer.

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