[Dspace-general] [job posting] Digital Preservation Librarian, University of Michigan University Library

[MacKenzie Smith]

Posted on behalf of Jim Ottaviani at the University of Michigan.

DIGITAL PRESERVATION LIBRARIAN
SCHOLARLY RESOURCES DIVISION
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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/), 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

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:  [log in to unmask]   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.

____________________________________
Jim Ottaviani
+1 734-763-4835
Coordinator, Deep Blue
http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu
University of Michigan Library

       Quis custodiet ipsos custodes
          --Juvenal, Satires VI, 347