Systems and Discovery Librarian

Hampshire College

Department: Library

Job Title: Systems and Discovery Librarian

Position Type: Full Time

Schedule: 35 Hours a week

Pay Range/ Status: $68,000/ Exempt

Location: Hampshire College Campus in Amherst, MA

Reports to: Director of the Library

Anticipated Start Date: January 27, 2025

Hampshire College, an independent, innovative liberal arts institution and member of the Five College consortium, is located on a beautiful rural campus in Amherst, Massachusetts. We provide residential undergraduate education to nearly 900 students. Each department at Hampshire College contributes to the collaborative culture of the organization and plays an important role in the success of the College. The library is an innovative and risk-taking intellectual environment that fosters new ways of creating knowledge and understanding. As part of the library team, you will be instrumental in the department achieving its mission and goals!

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for library discovery services, strategies and systems. Designs, implements, and assesses metadata-reliant processes and other knowledge discovery strategies to enable access to research resources in all formats and fosters student access to academic resources in the library.

Coordinates library-wide efforts to optimize a suite of discovery and retrieval systems designed to help user's access collections and services; leverages relevant technologies to provide user-centric services for information access and discovery in digital and physical realms. Leads the continuous improvement, extension, and integration of the library's various systems and search tools, including the library catalog, discovery layer, library website, ERM, knowledge base management, institutional repository and other digital delivery platforms.

Creates, updates, and maintains metadata for all library resources thus contributing to the overall function of the library. Supervises technical services projects. Acquires materials for the library and prepares them for addition to the collection; negotiates with vendors for serial, monograph, and electronic resources acquisitions and licensing. Facilitates streamlined and consolidated access to collections, working collaboratively with access services, media services, and research librarians.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Record of engaged leadership, managerial, strategic planning and supervisory experience related to the position
• Current, innovative and successful experience with a broad range of library access and technical services systems, resource sharing, and online catalog, discovery, and other access systems
• Knowledge of cataloging standards, authority control, subject analysis, and controlled vocabulary
• Strong user focus, possessing the initiative and creativity to manage projects both independently and as part of a team
• A deep commitment to service and outreach in an academic community
• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism
• A commitment to working with and supporting access by people from diverse backgrounds is essential
• Demonstrates an understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-oppression concepts and issues, especially as they apply to cataloging
• Knowledge of current and emerging metadata standards and tools, including AACR2, RDA, EAD, MARCXML, Dublin Core, MODS and METS
• Knowledge of XML, XSLT is required
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with heterogenous operating systems
• Demonstrated ability to work with computer hardware and software application related to library services. Working familiarity with one or more local library management system

Preferred:

Experience with web scripting languages and data interchange formats such as JavaScript and JSON preferred

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's in Library Information Science (ALA accredited), or equivalent.
• Three years of job-related experience

Alternatives to formal education and paid work experience may be considered as equivalent qualifications to include military service/training, volunteering, activism, and other non-traditional programs and experiences related to the position.

BENEFITS:

Hampshire College offers an excellent benefits program for eligible employees such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement plan, flexible leave plans, and many other fringe benefits. For information on Hampshire College, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at www.hampshire.edu.

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

Hampshire College is an equal opportunity employer and deeply committed to a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are particularly committed to revealing and combating the social and institutional structures that support racism and white supremacy in all phases of employment and college life. We believe that the educational and employment environment is enhanced when diverse groups of people with diverse ideas come together to work and grow. We encourage applications from women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, sexual minority groups, veterans, and other candidates who will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. Hampshire College is committed to removing barriers to employment faced by equity-seeking groups and encourages (but does not require) members of these groups to self-identify in their application materials. Applicants whose work incorporates a global perspective and a demonstrated commitment to issues of diversity in the work environment are particularly encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit your cover letter, resume and names/phone numbers of three professional references via our website at https://jobs.hampshire.edu/

Review of applications will begin on December 2, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled.

Hampshire College is an equal opportunity institution, committed to diversity and inclusion in education and employment.

Hampshire College is an equal opportunity institution, committed to diversity in education and employment.