Located in culturally diverse, historic, and dynamic Richmond, Virginia, convenient to the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the recreation destinations of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Commonwealth University is one of Virginia's largest universities and among the nation's leading research institutions. The VCU Libraries, one of Virginia’s outstanding research library systems, advances the University’s teaching, research, service, and patient care mission with holdings exceeding 2.3 million volumes, 61,000 serials, 500,000 e-books, and nationally prominent collections in the health and biological sciences, social work, the arts, the history of medicine, and comic and book arts.
The Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries invites applications and nominations for the position of Systems Librarian. VCU Libraries seeks a creative, energetic, and collaborative individual to enable exemplary discovery of our collections and increase efficiencies for all aspects of technical and public services. Working in a team environment, the incumbent will be responsible for a diverse suite of enterprise applications, including Aleph, SFX, Primo, DSpace, ILLiad, and EZproxy. The Systems Librarian will play a significant role in the VCU Libraries' early adopter implementation of Alma, the Ex Libris next generation services framework that is in the final stages of its development. He or she will promote state-of-the-art services through continual innovation and awareness of national trends and best practices. The successful candidate will join a culturally and academically diverse faculty of the highest caliber.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Integrated Systems Librarian in the Library Information Systems Department, the Systems Librarian will advance enterprise library applications through maintenance, customization, and professional vision. The successful candidate will work closely with team members, the Library Information Systems Department, library staff, professional colleagues, and vendors to deliver online services to the VCU community. The Systems Librarian will also provide systems administration support in both a local LAMP and an external cloud environment. He or she is responsible for exploring new technologies and identifying opportunities for their effective application, including the potential integration with other university and library systems. As a faculty member of the Library Information Systems Department, the Systems Librarian will actively contribute to the department’s overall objectives, engaging in projects and activities that further these goals. The successful candidate will provide occasional on-call and planned maintenance support. The Systems Librarian is expected to be active professionally and to contribute to developments in the field. Faculty with the VCU Libraries are evaluated, and promoted, on the basis of job performance, scholarship, and professional development and service.
Qualifications
Although experience in certain areas is desirable, this is an entry-level position in which candidates who demonstrate excellent promise and a passion for developing superior academic library systems will be given the most serious consideration. Required: ALA-accredited graduate degree or accredited graduate degree in another appropriate discipline. Preferred: Working knowledge of technologies needed to manage the enterprise environment including system administration tools (e.g. UNIX command structure, Apache, security standards) and programming languages (e.g. Perl, PHP, SQL, JAVA, XML, JAVA). Understanding of enterprise library applications such as integrated library systems, discovery services, OpenURL resolvers, proxy services, digital repositories, and interlibrary loan. Exposure to research libraries with knowledge of public and technical services operations, as well as library standards (MARC, Dublin Core, OAI-PMH, etc.). Strong analytical, troubleshooting, time management and problem resolution skills. Ability to learn and apply new technologies independently. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of clients and staff. Ability to work successfully with external vendor support and documentation. Availability and willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays. Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.
Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU Libraries
Virginia Commonwealth University is Virginia’s largest research university, enrolling over 32,000 students. Located in Richmond, Virginia (http://www.vcu.edu/richmond/), it is classified by Carnegie as Research University (very high research activity), VCU offers 40 doctoral, 67 masters, 3 professional, and 60 baccalaureate degree programs. Twenty-seven of VCU's graduate, professional programs are ranked by U.S. News & World Report as among the best in the nation, with 21 programs ranking in the top 25 and two programs — sculpture and nurse anesthesia — ranked number one. Over 1,900 faculty comprise the University's teaching force. Research strengths at the University include health and life sciences, education, engineering, social work, behavioral sciences, public affairs, advertising and design, and the fine arts. Sponsored research funding totals over $230 million, placing VCU among the top 100 research institutions in the United States. VCU’s strategic plan (http://www.future.vcu.edu/pdfs/Quest_Full_Document.pdf) embraces an acceleration in the growth of VCU’s library system and includes a new Master Site Plan that envisions additions to both library facilities operated by the VCU Libraries. An off-site storage facility was completed 2010 and major renovations to create a Learning Commons in Cabell Library opened summer 2010. A major space planning study for library facilities is underway.
Libraries at Virginia Commonwealth University (including the James Branch Cabell Library on the Monroe Park Campus and the Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences on the MCV Campus) employ 47 professionals and 73 support staff with an annual budget exceeding $16.6 million. VCU also operates programs in Doha, Qatar, including a library supporting the program there; Northern Virginia; and in various additional locations throughout the U.S. and the world. The VCU Libraries is a Resource Library in the National Network of Libraries of Medicine and a member of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, SPARC, CNI, BioMed Central, and the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA), a statewide networking consortium for shared access to electronic and print resources. The VCU Libraries uses a suite of products from Ex Libris in addition to CONTENTdm and DSpace as the foundation of its system architecture to enhance access to its collections and services. It is in the process of adopting Primo as its discovery layer and has been selected by Ex Libris as an early adopter for Alma, its next generation cloud-based system for library management.
Salary: Salary commensurate with experience, not less than $45,000 annually. This is a full-time, non-tenured faculty position. Normal faculty benefits apply, including 24 vacation days annually and choice of retirement and annuity plans. For more information about benefits, see http://www.hr.vcu.edu/benefits/.
For more information about the VCU Libraries, please visit our home page at http://www.library.vcu.edu/. Review of applications will begin March 1, 2012, and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, applications must be received prior to March 23. Submit cover letter, resume, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references to:
Pamela H. Fraga
Assistant to the University Librarian
VCU Libraries, Virginia Commonwealth University
901 Park Avenue
PO Box 842033
Richmond, VA 23284-2033
804-828-1107
804-828-0151 (fax)
phfraga@vcu.edu
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