Digital Projects Librarian, University Libraries

Kent State University Libraries seeks an experienced and creative Digital Projects Librarian (DPL) who will be responsible for the research, planning, execution and management of digital projects throughout the University Libraries’ environment. The DPL will work with programmers and applications in a complex production environment. S/he will work closely with Library and University-wide clients, colleagues and team members to understand and satisfy complex digital project requirements and provide quality technical solutions to the University community.

The position is a 12-month, full-time, tenure-track faculty position that reports to the Head of Systems. The incumbent will be required to meet reappointment, promotion and tenure standards. Anticipated appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor. Minimum hiring salary: $58,220.

Responsibilities:

1. Provides technical expertise and project management support in the creation and maintenance of digital collections on various platforms, including the Libraries’ institutional repository.

2. Works to integrate digital collections and projects into University Libraries’ systems, collections, and services.

3. Coordinates cross-departmental digital project workflows and participates in identifying digital collection development opportunities.
4. Selects, designs, deploys and maintains digital repository and publishing services, storage solutions, and digital library collection-related services, tool sets, and applications.

5. Supports strategic creation of digital content, digital conversion, interoperability of digital platforms, management and archiving of datasets, integration of digital resources into public web sites and learning management systems, and integration opportunities for digital content.

6. Works with the University Archivist, Special Collections Librarian, Collection Management Librarian, Metadata/Catalog Librarian, Systems Staff, and others to create and maintain workflows for transferring and ingesting data into the institutional repository and other systems and applications that support digital projects.

7. Serves as a technical expert for Library and University needs for digital archiving in support of the policies and processes of the University Archivist and the Head of Special Collections.

8. Leads and supports projects that collect or highlight research in digital formats, such as an Undergraduate Research digital forum collection.

9. Incorporates appropriate design principles, information architectures, coding standards, system protocols and emerging technologies into the Library's various open source web-based systems and projects in order to support digital projects.

10. Develops strategies to support the data management needs of Kent State faculty, working with Public Service librarians and various Kent State units. Identifies necessary technical infrastructure for data management solutions. Networks with campus data managers supporting research programs. Cultivates partnerships with library and non-library organizations sharing a common interest in research data curation.

11. Keeps current on trends and developments in digital collections, institutional repository, academic publishing, and data curation.

12. Works on library, university, consortium, and professional committees and working groups to set standards and develop and select services in the digital projects arena.

Required Qualifications:

1. ALA-accredited MLS, MIS, MLIS or equivalent.

2. Knowledge of emerging technology trends related to digital collections.

3. Familiarity with digital project management.

4. Familiarity with digital preservation practices and digital collections software.

5. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.

6. Ability to satisfy the requirements for tenure track faculty reappointment, tenure and promotion.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Familiarity with repository platforms like Fedora and content management systems like Drupal.

2. Familiarity with standards and systems like OAI, OJS, EAD, and ETD.

3. Understanding of the variety of metadata standards used in digital collections like EAD, MODS, METS, VRA Core, Dublin Core.

4. Working knowledge of XML in general and MARCXML in particular.

5. Familiarity with digital conversion technologies, digital object standards and workflows.

6. Experience with web programming languages like PHP, Python, Ruby, XSLT, XHTML, Perl.

7. Experience with project management, digital projects, and institutional repository development.

8. Ability to work on a Unix/Linux platform to install, configure and test applications.

The position will remain open until filled. Preferred appointment date is January 2014. Applications received by November 18, 2013 will receive first consideration.

Kent State University, a public research university located in Kent, Ohio, is one of the largest universities in Ohio with an enrollment of 42,185 students in the nine-campus system. Kent State offers over 300 degree programs (250 baccalaureate, 40 associates, 50 masters, and 23 doctoral programs) including notable programs in nursing, liquid crystals, business, history, library science, aeronautics, journalism and fashion design. Kent State is ranked by the Carnegie Foundation as one of the top 77 public research universities in the US and one of the top 76 in community engagement.

For a complete description of this position, see position # 997486 at http://jobs.kent.edu

Applications must be submitted online and should include a letter of application, vita, and contact information for at least three professional references.

Kent State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.