Electronic Resources Librarian, MIT Libraries, Cambridge, MA
Posted October 15, 2021
Description:
The MIT Libraries are on an exciting journey of transformation, prioritizing a digital-first, open scholarship agenda that accelerates the progress of science, promotes equity and inclusion across disciplines, and reduces the marginalization of scholars and scholarship from disadvantaged communities. We are exercising bold leadership in defining a model for research libraries in an unpredictable future. If you are excited about being part of a team that is implementing new approaches and systems with an equity lens in support of the mission to bring knowledge to bear on the world’s great challenges, we would love to hear from you!
The Technical Services department in the MIT Libraries supports and develops the Libraries’ collections through acquisitions, metadata and cataloging, shelf-preparation, digitization, and ongoing quality control of materials in all formats. Through these activities, we advance the Libraries’ mission of providing a foundation for the generation, dissemination, use, and preservation of scholarly information. The successful candidate will put equity, inclusion, and social justice values at the center of their work, leveraging our resources to expand the accessibility and discoverability of our collections, amplify the voices of marginalized scholars, and shape our initiatives towards openness to align in these critical areas.
As Electronic Resources Librarian, you will provide innovation, expertise, and support for activities relating to the acquisition and management of electronic resources of all types. As part of our digital- first agenda, we are expediting the acquisition and discovery of electronic content. We have recently transitioned to a new library services platform, Alma, and we want you to be part of exploring and implementing new workflows to scale Technical Services’ efforts in ways that will evolve our user experience and better meet their needs. We have a strong electronic resources team with significant experience, and we are looking for someone who can lead the team through the transformations we want to accelerate. Over the past 18 months, as a direct result of the pandemic, we have learned so much about stepping up the provisioning of electronic resources to our user community. Let’s combine our knowledge and do great things!
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
- Lead and participate in workflows for the life cycle management of electronic resources, including trialing, ordering, establishing and maintaining access, invoicing, and renewing of electronic resources of all types, including (but not limited to) ebooks and ebook collections, ejournals, data sets, and databases.
- Supervise, develop, and support staff, including both direct reports (3 FTE) and other departmental staff who have interconnected or shared responsibilities ; provide coaching, leadership, and development support for direct reports and other colleagues.
- Coordinate with licensing staff to trial, acquire, and renew electronic resources.
- Coordinate with metadata staff to ensure ongoing metadata integrity in our various systems.
- Coordinate workflows and communication among departmental staff and those across the Libraries to ensure efficiency and understanding.
- Lead and coordinate the troubleshooting team to solve access problems for electronic
resources. - Develop and champion collaborative working relationships with staff throughout the Libraries, including Collections Strategists and selectors, Scholarly Communications and Collections Strategy, Libraries’ financial staff, and others involved in collections activities.
- Advise and instruct subject liaisons in policies, procedures, and tools involved in working with electronic resources.
- Serve as a member of the Technical Services Leadership Team, as well as other groups in which perspective and leadership in electronic resources management is needed.
- Design and produce reports to assist with analysis and management of electronic resources workflow and activity.
- Manage activities involving vendors and publishers, including selection, assessment of performance, monitoring service and fees, and communication.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
- MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution or a combination of education and prior experience in technical services.
- Minimum 3 years relevant experience including supervisory and/or management experience.
- Dedication to the value of innovation and experimentation and a desire to advance these values through this position.
- Enthusiasm for embracing the empathy, courage, self-reflection, and respect essential in a multicultural, diverse and inclusive workplace, and demonstrated evidence of embracing those values in collections or public service work.
- Ability to lead, manage, train, and inspire staff.
- Ability to identify problems, think creatively, and carry out solutions independently or as part of a group or team, particularly when several priorities arise at the same time.
- Positive service attitude with a demonstrated ability to interact effectively with a variety of people, productively handle relationships and conflicts, and to work well with diverse groups of people.
- Demonstrated awareness of national trends and developments in electronic resources management.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts to staff with differing levels of expertise.
- Demonstrated ability to be flexible, embrace ambiguity, adapt to change and successfully work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Solid experience with library automation systems and tools, and the facility to learn and master new software, systems, and technology.
- Ability to understand, evaluate, and implement new and emerging technologies, particularly those that could facilitate operational workflows.
We expect the candidate to be stronger in some qualifications listed above than others; we are
committed to helping our future colleague expand their skills, as well as learning from their areas of
strength.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
This job is a pay Grade 8 with the following range (min-mid-max): 67,080 – 88,910 – 110,740
How to Apply:
To read the full job description and apply online, visit: