[padg] Position at University of Michigan

[Shannon Zachary <szachary@xxxxxxxxx>]

Digital Preservation Librarian

The University Library at the University of Michigan
(http://www.lib.umich.edu/) has been actively building digital collections
for over a decade.  Since 1997 the library¹s Digital Library Production
Service (http://www.lib.umich.edu/lit/dlps/) was a pioneer in developing
systems for capture and serving digitized information to the public and now
hosts over a million items from the library¹s Web site.  Michigan in 2002
was among the first research libraries to commit to digitization as a
preservation technology, routinely copying brittle books to digital format
for both preservation and access.  Michigan¹s participation in the early
Making of America project and recently the library¹s partnership with Google
to digitize its collection (http://www.lib.umich.edu/mdp/) are transforming
how scholars can search and find information, as well as the practice of
research and scholarship.  The library¹s groundbreaking Scholarly Publishing
Office (http://spo.umdl.umich.edu/) has joined with academic and other
partners to produce and host scholarly electronic resources since 2000.  In
the span of just two years, the library¹s institutional repository, Deep
Blue (http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu), has made over 40,000 items available
in a wide range of formats.  The digital collections receive support from
the Library IT Core Services team (http://www.lib.umich.edu/lit/cs/
<http://www.lib.umich.edu/lit/cs/index.html> ), who design and manage the
technical infrastructure to support these collections.
 
The University Library seeks a Digital Preservation Librarian to provide
leadership and coordinate the library¹s activities to preserve these growing
collections.  The Digital Preservation Librarian will report to the head of
the Department of Preservation and Conservation in the library¹s
newly-formed Scholarly Resources division.
 
The Digital Preservation Librarian will:
·      Propose, plan, and develop a digital preservation program for
University Library collections of enduring value in digital format: review
existing Library practices and analyze needs; establish policies and best
practices for the long-term protection and access to digital materials of
all types, both created by or acquired by the Library, including text,
images, data, audio-visual resources, Web pages, and ephemera.  Working
closely with staff in Library IT Core Services, Digital Library Production
Services, the Scholarly Publishing Office, Deep Blue, Preservation, and
other library units, the Digital Preservation Specialist will implement,
monitor, and maintain the digital preservation program.  The Digital
Preservation Librarian will assume a key role in the creation and
development of a trustworthy multi-institutional shared repository of
digital resources.
·      Assist in the ongoing development of requirements and specifications,
including formats and metadata, for digital material the library solicits,
accepts, or purchases into its collections, and advise both library staff
and external content creators on strategies and the practical implementation
of those specifications.
·      Advise library staff and digital initiatives on all phases of the
life cycle of digital content with the aim of long-term retention and
access; provide training or orientations.  Represent and champion digital
preservation interests across the library, the university, and to the
community at large.
·      Prepare proposals for external funding for digital preservation
projects.  Prepare specifications for vended services that support the
digital preservation program; evaluate responses to proposals for such
services and make recommendations for selecting vendors; and act on behalf
of the library as a technical liaison on preservation issues to vendors
providing digital materials.  Represent the University Library in
cooperative projects or programs in digital preservation.
·      Research and advise the library on contingency plans against threats
to the digital collections, such as industry changes to file formats,
natural disaster, and security breaches.
·      Stay current on developing technologies, standards, and practice in
preservation of digital collections; recommend responses to these
developments through periodic alerts, summaries, reports, and revisions to
policies and procedures.  Represent the University Library in forums on
digital preservation at the campus, regional, national, or international
level.
 
Further information may be found at
www.lib.umich.edu/hr/employment/preservation.html
<http://www.lib.umich.edu/hr/employment/preservation.html>
 
Qualifications
Required:  ALA-accredited masters degree in library or information studies
or equivalent combination of a relevant advanced degree and experience.
Education in computer or information science desired.  Demonstrated
knowledge of the lifecycle management of digital material; an understanding
of issues related to digital formats, media, and migration is required,
along with an aptitude for quickly mastering technical topics.  Experience
working in research collections (libraries, archives, museums, data
centers), with a minimum of 3 years of progressive experience with digital
resources.  Excellent oral and written communications skills and the ability
to work collegially are essential.
 
Rank, Salary, and Leave:
Rank is anticipated at Associate, Sr. Associate, or full Librarian rank.
Final rank and salary are dependent on qualifications and experience.
Professional positions receive 24 days of vacation a year & 15 days of sick
leave a year with provisions for extended benefits as well as opportunities
for professional development and travel.
Retirement:  TIAA/CREF or Fidelity Investments

To Apply:  Send cover letter and copy of résumé to Library Human Resources;
404 Hatcher Graduate Library North; University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI
48109-1205 or by email to:  libhumres@xxxxxxxxx   Contact (734) 764-2546 for
further information.

Application Deadline:  Review of applications will begin on 3/15/08 and
continue until the position is filled.
 
The University of Michigan is a non-discriminatory, affirmative action
employer

-- 
Shannon Zachary
Head, Preservation & Conservation
University Library, University of Michigan
734/763-6980
szachary@xxxxxxxxx