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Preservation Librarian, University of Washington, Seattle WA

Posted April 23, 2014

TITLE:             Preservation Librarian

 

LOCATION:    Preservation Services

 

THE LIBRARIES

Serving three campuses, the University of Washington Libraries is one of the largest and most innovative libraries in North America with collections exceeding 8 million volumes, over 500,000 electronic books, more than 120,000 currently received journal titles, as well as millions of scholarly resources in other formats. Beyond the strength of local collections and digital resources, the Libraries is recognized for its excellent service, innovative learning and research spaces, faculty partnerships, global reach, extensive assessment efforts and  diverse award-winning staff. The Libraries plays a significant leadership role regionally as a member in the groundbreaking Orbis Cascade Alliance and throughout the profession as evidenced by the number of its staff selected for competitive leadership programs and honored by professional association lifetime achievement awards.

 

THE PRESERVATION SERVICES DIVISION

The Preservation Services Division is one of three technical services divisions within Resource Acquisitions and Description/Information Technology Services; the others are Cataloging and Metadata Services (CAMS) and Acquisitions and Rapid Cataloging Services (ARCS). Preservation is the Libraries’ central preservation unit for materials in all formats. The division works with others to slow the deterioration of materials through proper housing and environment, disaster planning, and staff and user education. When needed, we perform conservation treatment to stabilize or repair materials or reformat materials to preserve their intellectual content. Preservation collaborates with other units to preserve digital content and to standardize and coordinate preservation procedures and policies across the Libraries. Our goal is to preserve and maintain the accessibility of collections for current and future use.

THE POSITION

The Preservation Librarian will manage the preservation of intellectual content from brittle volumes and obsolete media by working with other Libraries staff and a variety of digitization and format conversion vendors.  Reporting to the Head, Preservation Services, work in consultation with collection managers and preservation staff to establish priorities for treatment.  The Preservation Librarian will work with other staff to develop policies and best practices related to the preservation and reformatting of Library collections and contributes to planning and developing a digital preservation strategy for the Libraries.  

 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

  • Manages preservation reformatting activities within the Libraries, particularly managing the preservation replacement process and other outsourced projects.
  • Prepares specifications for digitization and/or format conversion, makes recommendations for selecting vendors, and acts as a technical liaison to vendors providing these products.
  • Advises staff and digital content creators on all phases of the life cycle of digital content, with the aim of long-term retention and access.
  • Assists in the development of policies and best practices related to preservation and reformatting of Library collections, including the digital content the library solicits, accepts, purchases, or creates.
  • Provides project planning and management for format conversion projects.
  • Develops and implements preservation treatments for digital materials. 
  • Contributes expertise in the creation of technical and preservation metadata.
  • Consults with other staff in Preservation and Conservation on issues related to conservation treatment before and after digitization as well as proper care and handling of collections during digitization.
  • Contributes to planning and developing a digital preservation strategy for the Libraries.
  • Contributes to grant development related to digital preservation and/or digital reformatting.
  • Provides professional advice and education to staff, interns, and other libraries and cultural heritage institutions as appropriate.
  • Assists with preservation assessment, grant programs and projects, and disaster planning.   Works as part of a team of staff supporting the preservation program.
  • Analyzes collected data, prepares reports, and researches projects for feasibility and estimates costs.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

  • Graduate degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association or an equivalent library science/information studies.
  • Working knowledge of current and emerging digital and physical preservation technologies, standards and practices.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the creation and use of digital objects, including an understanding of issues related to both digitized and born-digital formats, media, and migration. 
  • Experience creating, reviewing, and editing metadata for digital objects, especially METS and PREMIS.
  • Basic knowledge of copyright and fair use as it relates to digitization and format conversion.
  • Broad understanding of preservation activities in an academic research library.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively, to plan, coordinate, and implement effective projects.
  • Evidence of strong written, interpersonal and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to meet the requirements of promotion and tenure; commitment to professional development and service.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity and understanding of the contributions a diverse workforce brings to the workplace.

 

Preferred

  • Minimum of two years progressive experience in the management of preservation reformatting activities and digital resources in research collections.
  • Experience with digital conversion for a variety of formats.
  • Demonstrated project management experience.
  • Demonstrated evidence of ongoing professional development.

 

SALARY

$45,000 minimum. Starting salary commensurate with qualifications and background.

 

BENEFITS

Librarians are academic personnel and participate in the University of Washington Retirement Plan on a matching basis. Vacation is accrued at the rate of 24 working days per year; sick leave at the rate of 12 working days per year. No state or local income tax.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for this position, please submit the following information to [email protected]:

  • Cover letter (addressed to Laura Lillard, Assistant Director, Libraries Academic Human Resources)
  • Curriculum vitae or resume (include a telephone number, mailing address, email address and salary requirements)
  • List of three references who are knowledgeable of your qualifications for this position (include telephone numbers, mailing addresses, and email addresses)
  • Please use “Librarian Application” in the subject heading.
  • Please submit all three components in a single, multi-page PDF document. All submissions will be maintained in a secure, password protected online file space until interviews are conducted. Then, some application materials will be circulated.

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE

To ensure consideration, applications should be received no later than 5:00 pm, May 30, 2014.

 

For questions about this position, or questions regarding potential disability accommodations, please contact Laura Lillard at [email protected].

 

The University of Washington Libraries Home Page is http://www.lib.washington.edu

 

The Preservation Services Home Page is http://www.lib.washington.edu/preservation

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