July 2011 Archives

Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources (SULAIR) is seeking to hire three positions to support the Revs Program at Stanford (http://revs.stanford.edu). This program is a transdisciplinary research program, dedicated to the study of the past, present and future of the automobile, arguably the most important technological innovation of the 20th century. The program will explore the automobile’s relation to and impact on the history, culture, economy, science and technology of modern society.

SULAIR has posted three positions to staff the Libraries’ four year engagement in the program:

• Academic Technology Project Manager (Job ID 43760) to serve as the project manager and functional lead
• Digital Library Software Engineer (Job ID 43758) to develop web applications and a collaboration site for the program
• Digital Library Software Engineer (Job ID 43757) to build the repository infrastructure and services to handle the digital output of the program

As a part of the program, SULAIR will support the dissemination of scholarly research on the automobile; provide digital access to a collection of over two million items relating to automotive history, racing and technology; and develop a system and service to build and sustain an online automotive community. Members of the team will play integral roles in building the world’s leading center on the study of the impact of the automobile on the 20th and 21st century. They will also join Stanford’s vibrant digital library development program, and adopt and contribute to the development of innovative open source software to meet the full needs of the program and academic community it supports.

This program presents a unique blend of academics, technology, library & archival practice, mass digitization, and digital library development. Candidates with intellectual curiosity, a drive for technical innovation, and an interest in automobilia are particularly encouraged to apply.

To see more details on any of the positions, search for the Job ID at http://jobs.stanford.edu/find_a_job.html.

The University of Alabama Libraries is seeking a dynamic, highly motivated individual for the position of Metadata Librarian. Reporting to the Head of Cataloging & Metadata Services (CMS) and working collaboratively with the 2 current metadata librarians and appropriate units in the Libraries, this position supports the discovery of and access to UA Libraries resources through metadata creation, analysis and enrichment. Specific duties include, but are not limited to: assisting in metadata production work for digital collections (65%); performing original and copy cataloging of non-book materials such as sound recordings and DVDs (20%); participating in the evaluation of the effectiveness of catalog data and metadata for resource discovery (15%); and keeping abreast of current issues and trends in cataloging and metadata.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited program or equivalent; knowledge of cataloging and metadata standards and schema such as AACR2, RDA, LSCH, MARC21, MODS, Dublin Core; demonstrated understanding of all aspects of metadata; familiarity with the OAIS reference model; demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with diverse constituencies; and effective oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 1-2 years experience in cataloging or metadata production work; experience using OCLC, integrated library systems (Voyager preferred) and/or digital content management system(s); experience in analyzing and manipulating XML and other data formats.

ENVIRONMENT: The University Libraries maintains membership in the Association of Research Libraries, SPARC, the Center for Research Libraries, the Coalition for Networked Information, SOLINET, and the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries. The Libraries use Ex Libris’ Voyager Integrated Library System. The Libraries’ homepage may be accessed at http://www.lib.ua.edu.

SALARY/BENEFITS: This will be a three year non-tenure earning contract position with renewal based on performance, funding and the needs of the Libraries. Competitive salary. Excellent benefits. Moving allowance may be available.

TO APPLY: Please apply online at https://facultyjobs.ua.edu (Requisition #0805018). A letter of application, resume, and names, address, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references should be included.

Open until filled. Applications received by August 31, 2011 are assured of receiving full consideration.

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER.

SUNY Geneseo seeks a service-oriented, versatile and dynamic librarian to provide leadership for organizing and accessing digital collections, serials, and providing knowledge base maintenance, licensing, and usage analysis of resources. This librarian will also play an integral role in shaping and implementing the Library’s vision to support the creation of and access to scholarly research and publishing.

The Electronic Resources and Digital Scholarship Librarian provides leadership and technical expertise:

• Plays a central role in developing digital collections and the provision of digital scholarship services, including the implementation and operation of tools to support e-research, teaching and learning, scholarly communications, and planning the development of a Digital Media Lab;
• Effectively uses project management skills to work with faculty on projects and to collaborate across the library, CIT, Office of Sponsored Research, and others to provide innovative and effective service to digital scholarship projects;
• Leads, coordinates and manages the examination, review, and disposition of new electronic resource opportunities; oversees the selection, acquisition, payment, and activation of electronic resources including license review and negotiation; and coordinates vendor communications or evaluations, including demos and trials;
• Monitors and maintains the electronic resources budget in consultation with the Head of Technical Services;
• Manages serials and database evaluations by compiling and analyzing usage data from multiple sources, including ILS and vendor COUNTER reports to make selection and deselection recommendations;
• Establishes, maintains and troubleshoots access to electronic resources;
• Catalogs and manages online resources and print serials holdings, including the coordination and design of metadata quality control for all digital projects and collections;
• Recommends priorities, policies, and procedures for the identification, creation, conversion and preservation of digital content;
• Participates in original cataloging of all formats and metadata creation activities in the library;
• Applies current methods of organizing serials, electronic resources, and investigating and applying new methods for organizing information resources using established and emerging bibliographic control mechanisms and metadata standards;
• Develops standards and procedures for authority control work; creates authority records for names, series, subjects and documents authority decisions as needed;
• Additional duties; develops and coordinates usability studies related to digital collections; participates in grant proposal writing and budget planning for digital collections; assists with training and instruction regarding the creation and use of digital collections; keeps essential records and statistics and prepares reports as necessary;
• Participates in the Library’s liaison program, which may include the selection of information resources and instructional activities.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in information and/or library science from an ALA-accredited school or an ALA-approved foreign equivalent;
• Experience with MARC bibliographic and authorities formats and cataloging and classification standards;
• Experience with OCLC Connexion;
• Knowledge of non-MARC metadata schemes and evolving standards;
• Experience with the concepts and software/hardware applications used in organizing and presenting digital information; demonstrated ability to prioritize, plan, coordinate, and implement multiple projects;
• Strong commitment to enhancing service through teamwork and responsiveness to faculty, students, and colleagues;
• Demonstrated problem-solving and workflow-analysis skills, as well as an aptitude for complex, analytical work with attention to detail and organization;
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, communication and project management skills;
• Commitment to providing high-quality public service within a flexible and continually evolving academic library environment.

Preferred:

• Experience with the Ex Libris ALEPH integrated library system;
• Experience with MS Office including Access; with an understanding of SQL;
• Experience with digital serials, knowledge bases (especially Serials Solutions) and electronic resource management systems;
• A strong commitment to scholarly communication;
• Experience with a journal publishing system, such as OJS.

Position is 12-month, full-time, Senior Assistant Librarian, tenure-track. Initial 2 yr. contract. Salary commensurate with qualifications/experience. Comprehensive benefits package. Preferred start date: August 22, 2011.

Apply online at https://jobs.geneseo.edu and submit a letter of application, resume, and name/title/contact information of 3 professional references. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Review begins July 15, 2011.

All applicants are subject to drug and criminal background checks.

Questions may be directed to:

Kate Pitcher, Chair of Search Committee
Milne Library, SUNY Geneseo
1 College Circle
Geneseo, NY 14454
585-245-5064
pitcher [at] geneseo [dot] edu

The deadline for proposal submission has been extended until July 29, 2011.

Complete proposals should be submitted using the online submission form.

After an initial review by the Program Planning Committee, all proposals will be posted on the DLF website for community polling. Those submitting complete proposals will be notified of their status by September 16, 2011. Complete proposal submission details are here.

The 2011 Fall Forum will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Baltimore, MD October 31–November 2, 2011. More information about the 2011 Fall Forum can be found at http://www.diglib.org/2011forum/.

Washington University Libraries seek a service-oriented and innovative librarian to serve as the E-Learning Librarian providing service to the Washington University community.

Responsibilities

The E-Learning Librarian will lead collaborative efforts to explore, identify, assess, implement and provide training for emerging technologies in support of the University’s teaching, learning, and research. The Librarian is responsible for all operations of the E-Learning Commons including assisting users; hiring, training, and evaluating personnel, troubleshooting hardware and software problems; and scheduling facility use. The E-Learning Librarian will work with faculty and students to explore library resources and apply innovative multimedia technologies to their work. The Commons will provide services that include assistance with strategies for management of scholarly and personal digital assets; preparation of interactive tutorials and course modules; and development of multimedia projects.

The E-Learning Librarian will routinely monitor trends in emerging technologies and identify possible uses in library services. As appropriate, the E-Learning Librarian will provide training in these new technologies for library staff as well as the campus community. In collaboration with other library staff, the E-learning Librarian must be proactive in selectively and strategically implementing and marketing emerging technologies that best match our users’ needs and preferences. The E-Learning Librarian will work collaboratively with library staff to provide ongoing usability testing and redesign of user interfaces to library services. The Librarian will also collaborate with other campus units offering similar services.

Qualifications

Required: Master’s degree in library/information science, media, instructional technology or a related field; Demonstrated ability to thrive and lead in a collaborative environment; Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills; Ability to interact with users and staff and develop innovative ways to identify and meet their evolving needs; Demonstrated ability to learn new technology tools and skills, to conduct training for users and staff, and strong desire to share this knowledge with others; Ability to see technological possibilities in and outside of the library world and the vision to turn these possibilities into new library services; Demonstrated ability in web based tools, imaging and/or video software, bibliographic and presentation software and relevant emerging technologies. Preferred: Relevant experience in libraries or higher education.

General Information

The University

Washington University, located at the western edge of the City of St. Louis, is a medium sized, independent university founded in 1853, internationally recognized for excellence in teaching and research and for the quality of its faculty and student body.

The Libraries

Washington University Libraries include the John M. Olin Library and 12 school and departmental libraries. The Washington University Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Center for Research Libraries, the Greater Western Library Alliance, and MOBIUS (a consortium of academic libraries with member colleges and universities in the state of Missouri). For more information visit library.wustl.edu.

Salary and Benefits

Salary dependent upon qualifications and experience. Comprehensive benefits package including several retirement plan options.

Application Information

Visit https://jobs.wustl.edu to apply. The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Employment eligibility verification required upon hire. Washington University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.

The New York Public Library’s Manuscripts and Archives Division (MSS) seeks an experienced archivist to lead its efforts to manage the Library’s existing born digital archival holdings and expand its capacity to collect electronic records.

Under the direction of the Assistant Director for Archives and Manuscripts, the Digital Archivist will establish the Library’s methods and procedures for the acquisition, preservation, description, and service of born digital archives and manuscripts.

About NYPL and the Manuscripts and Archives Division 

The New York Public Library holds approximately 50,000 linear feet of archival material in several curatorial units. The Manuscripts and Archives Division (MSS) is a curatorial unit of the Library, with over 30,000 linear feet of holdings, as well as the unit responsible for overseeing and coordinating archival activities throughout the Library and processing the archives collected by the Library for the Performing Arts. The Assistant Director for Archives and Manuscripts, who is the administrative head of MSS, also reviews all proposed archival acquisitions.

The Digital Archivist will be a member of Assistant Director’s management team, which also includes the Head of Archival Processing; the Manager who coordinates special projects, collection surveys, and movement of material; and the Assistant Curator who leads reference and outreach activities.

External Responsibilities

In collaboration with the MSS management team, NYPL curators, information technology staff, and archivists, as well as the archival community outside NYPL, the digital archivist will:

Establish a set of best practices for managing born digital material within archives held and acquired by NYPL:

• identify and engage the resources (hardware, software, vendors, peer institutions) available to perform migration from (obsolete) media containing born digital material
• develop (though hands on work and experimentation) and document procedures for the routine migration, description, and management of born digital archives during accessioning and/or processing
• train archivists and curators as necessary
• process archival collections with a substantial volume of born digital records
• lead efforts to locate born digital material in previously processed archival collections and develop plans for their retrospective management

Enhance the Library’s capacity to responsibly acquire electronic records and personal papers:

• evaluate proposed acquisitions with born digital components
• develop and document techniques and procedures for acquiring electronic records directly from record creators, transferring them directly into the Library’s repository
• coordinate acquisitions of electronic records, acting as a liaison between records creators and the Library’s curatorial, archival, and technical staff
• when necessary and possible, work directly with records creators to advise on record keeping practices that will facilitate the eventual transfer of their archives
• propose and investigate potential acquisitions

Advise the Library’s Repository team on the functional requirements for acquiring, preserving, and serving born digital archives.

Collaborate with the curatorial units serving archives and manuscripts to develop the means to provide access to born digital materials.

Initiate, write, and contribute to grant proposals as appropriate.

Contribute to broader discussions surrounding the management of digital assets, metadata, and the representation and service of digital and digitized archival materials.

Serve as the Division’s and the Library’s internal and external representative and authority on issues related to born digital archives.

External Qualifications

• Masters degree in Library Science or Archival Enterprise/Studies or other relevant field.
• At least three years experience working in an archival repository in a professional capacity, including experience working with born digital archival material
• Strong command of archival theory and best practices, especially as they relate to the particular issues posed by electronic records. Background in records management preferred.
• Familiarity and experience with disk imaging and email archiving tools and techniques preferred.
• Knowledge of DACS.
• Demonstrated familiarity with data structure standards relevant to the archival control of digital collection materials (EAD, Dublin Core, MODS, PREMIS);
• Successfully demonstrated experience training staff preferred.
• Project management experience
• Excellent writing and editorial skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of historical research methods, especially the use of archives
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively and to meet planned goals and deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively, then initiate and carry through innovative ideas

In an article for Wired Magazine titled “Why Open Data Alone is Not Enough,” Jesse Lichtenstein acknowledges the data divide and suggests how it could be bridged:

“The concern that open data may simply empower the empowered is not an argument against open data; it’s an argument against looking at open data as an end in itself. Massive data dumps and even friendly online government portals are insufficient. Ordinary people need to know what information is available, and they need the training to be conversant in it. And if people are to have anything more than theoretical access to the information, it needs to be easy and cheap to use. That means investing in the kinds of organizations doing outreach, advocacy, and education in the communities least familiar with the benefits of data transparency. If we want truly open government, we still have to do the hard work of addressing basic and stubborn inequalities. However freely it flows, the data alone isn’t enough.”

Linked Data and Libraries 2011 was held at the British Library Conference Centre in London on Thursday, July 14, 2011. Below find a selection of sessions and slideshows.

View the afternoon session below, or view the morning session here.

Video streaming by Ustream

On the day of the conference, the British Library also introduced their new approach to publishing the British National Bibliography using linked data practices. Users can now preview the first subset of the LOD BNB, including books published or distributed in the UK since 2005, via the search service, the describe endpoint, and the SPARQL endpoint. Below are slides from a presentation by Neil Wilson, who heads the British Library’s Metadata Services, outlining the process behind creating the library’s LOD model.

Laura Campbell, CIO of the Library of Congress, delivered the keynote address at the 2011 SemTech Conference in San Francisco, CA. Her talk focused on “how linked data is helping us to do more with less” while managing the Library’s existing collections; maintaining its role as a leader in the distribution of canonical information; and following its mission to collect, preserve, and provide access to a born digital collection.

During her talk, Campbell said she hoped the takeaway would be that ”We need to get very clever about new methods of doing our mission, new methods of executing both getting the material and managing it and providing access to it.”

David Weinberger, senior researcher at the Berkman Center, filmed these interviews at the LOD-LAM Summit in San Francisco on June 2-3, 2011.

Want to join the conversation? Respond to the W3C Linked Library Data Incubator Group‘s call for public comment on the draft of their report. Feedback can sent as comments to individual sections posted on their dedicated blog or by email to an archived public mailing list at public-lld@w3.org using descriptive subject lines such as ‘[COMMENTS] “Benefits” section.’

http://youtu.be/swQYX4oqfB4

http://youtu.be/cY-aEuFLryo

Videos via the Harvard Library Innovation Laboratory Blog.