Vermont Digital Newspaper Project Librarian/Library Assistant Professor

POSITION TITLE: Vermont Digital Newspaper Project Librarian / Library Assistant Professor (temporary position) / REPORTS TO: Project Director.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Reporting the Project Director at the University of Vermont, and in close collaboration with the state-wide Vermont Digital Newspaper Project Planning Group, (including colleagues at Vermont Department of Libraries, the Ilsley Public Library, the Vermont Historical Society) the Project Librarian will be responsible for the day-to-day coordination and management of the Vermont Digital Newspaper Project, including overseeing all selection, technical and administrative activities, assisting in the design and development of the project web site, monitoring budget, and managing relationships with external partners and vendors.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

 Manages project staff and coordinates project workflow.
 Trains and supervises the Digital Support Specialist (1 FTE)
 Works with the VTDNP Planning Group, Advisory Committee members, the Library of Congress, partners at other institutions to develop the Vermont Digital Newspaper Project.
 In coordination with the Project Director, assists in managing the project budget.
 Prepares a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the microfilm duplication, digitization, and optical character recognition
 Works with vendors to ensure quality deliverables and negotiate budgetary issues.
 Coordinates assessment of newspaper microfilm quality and suitability for digitization.
 Oversees the selection, digitization, metadata capture, OCR, workflow control, quality control, and other activities involved in digitizing historic newspapers.
 Develops and maintains tracking system for microfilm and digital deliverables.
 Manages the development of the project website.
 Receives and edits title essays (500 words for each title digitized)
 Creates documentation, and maintains complete and accurate records of all work performed.
 Responsible for reporting of microfilm selection data and digital deliverables fulfillment.
 Delivers progress reports on specified semi-annual schedule.
 Responds to public, professional and scholarly inquiries.
 Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited school or foreign equivalent with experience and a solid understanding of digitization and/or microfilm conversion projects, including microfilm inspection and suitability for digitization, experience with XML and standards-based metadata schemas (non-MARC and MARC) and principles governing standards in digital libraries; demonstrated project management experience; supervisory experience; knowledge of newspapers or serials, and ability to assess complex relationships between titles; quality control experience; demonstrated ability to pay attention to detail. Equally important are strong interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to work with a variety of people; flexibility and willingness to shift priorities according to current needs; a sense of humor; commitment to professional growth. Some travel is required.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This position is funded by a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant to begin digitization of Vermont’s microfilmed newspapers. The Vermont Digital Newspaper Project, a part of the National Digital Newspaper Program developed by NEH and the Library of Congress, will digitize 100,000 Vermont newspaper pages between the years of 1836 and 1922 during the two-year grant period. Newspapers digitized as part of the grant award will be included in the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America database at http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov

SALARY & APPLICATION INFORMATION:

We actively seek applicants from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Faculty member will be hired at the Assistant Professor level. Salary minimum: $50,175. Generous benefits package includes: TIAA/CREF (or alternative plan), managed health care plan, and 22 days of annual leave. Position open until filled; screening will begin immediately. Anticipated start date is September 15, 2010. Apply online at http://www.uvmjobs.com with letter of application, resume, and names and contact information of three professional references. Job Requisition Number 033592.

Questions about the position may be directed to: Birdie MacLennan, Vermont Digital Newspaper Project, Bailey/Howe Library, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405. The University of Vermont is an AA/EEO employer.

A copy of the job description is available at: http://www.uvmjobs.com