Systems Librarian, Fenway Library Organization, Boston, MA or Virtual, USA

Posted January 26, 2022

Description:

Fenway Library Organization (FLO, www.flo.org), a consortium of academic and special libraries throughout Massachusetts, seeks a Systems Librarian. Qualified candidates will be able to work in a highly collaborative team environment with a focus on member library success. FLO’s library community consists of 38 member and affiliate libraries who serve diverse students, faculty, and staff. FLO is committed to hiring staff members who reflect and can support this diversity.

The FLO Systems Librarian will play a key role in maintaining FLO’s systems infrastructure. This infrastructure includes three integrated library systems (ILSs), Voyager, Koha, and FOLIO. Voyager is the ILS for all FLO members except for one. Koha is the ILS for the Higher Education Libraries of Massachusetts (HELM), a network of affiliate member public academic libraries in Massachusetts that FLO supports. The last of these, FOLIO, is a developing open source ILS of which FLO member Simmons University has become an early adopter. Beyond these three ILSs, FLO also supports EZproxy, Avalon Media System, ResourceSpace, CORAL, ArchivesSpace, ComCat, EDS, and Summon for its various members. The Systems Librarian will upgrade and troubleshoot these applications, and make recommendations to the Executive Director about new application implementations.

Another important aspect of the Systems Librarian’s work will be maintaining FLO’s automated and other scripted processes. These processes enable FLO to manage large volumes of library data, like patron and MARC records, seamlessly. The Systems Librarian will also develop new back end processes as needed. Documentation of these processes will be crucial to making them sustainable over the long term.

At the network level, the Systems Librarian will help to manage FLO’s virtual computing environment and work on projects to provide improved network security. Part of this work will involve maintaining DNS records, installing SSL certificates, and making adjustments to FLO’s firewall. The Systems Librarian will also insure that Windows and Linux server operating systems are up-to-date, especially regarding security updates and patches. Project management will also be an important part of the System Librarian’s role as FLO anticipates system migrations to occur over the next several years.

The ideal candidate will have a background in academic libraries or academic library networks and bring a strong set of technical skills to the job. This individual should also possess strong oral and written communication skills and be aware of current and emerging trends in library technology and standards. This is a full-time position with benefits that starts March 1, 2022. Remote work options are available.

Responsibilities
Application Support – including FOLIO, Koha, Voyager, EZproxy, Avalon Media System, ResourceSpace, ArchivesSpace, CORAL, ComCat, EDS, and Summon
– Perform or coordinate upgrades and routine maintenance
– Troubleshoot technical problems reported by library staff
– Research, evaluate, and implement new features
– Stay up-to-date on application code and database changes
– Edit configuration files
– Collaborate with vendors and act as a liaison between vendors and library staff
– Create documentation and provide training

Content Management
– Maintain, edit, and create scripts to control local processes for managing large volumes of library data
– Manage and monitor automated processes

– Produce reports as needed by library staff
– Import and export data sets for multiple projects and systems

Network and Security Support
– Maintain SSL certificates for web-based applications and servers
– Support DNS for web-based applications and servers
– Utilize tools like endpoint security software and a firewall to protect the FLO network
– Analyze system logs and reports to improve processes or fix issues
– Help maintain a virtual computing environment

Project Management
– Lead long-term projects (6-12 months) involving library system deployments and
migrations
– Coordinate between vendors and library staff to implement new systems
– Organize and run meetings related to long-term projects
– Plan long-term projects in conjunction with other stakeholders

General
– Provide support for FLO and HELM committees
– Provide backup support for other staff members
– Attend regular and ad hoc meetings
– Other duties as required

Qualifications
Required
– Master of library science degree or bachelor’s degree in computer science with library experience
– Three years or more of library or library network systems experience in some of the preferred qualifications below
– Knowledge of existing and emerging library system applications and standards
– Strong oral and written communication skills
– Ability to work on a highly collaborative team in-person and virtually
– Proof of COVID-19 vaccination

Preferred
– Experience working in an academic library or academic library network
– Experience working in Linux and Windows environments
– Proficiency in programming languages or the demonstrated capacity to learn new ones including Bash, Z-Shell, Perl, and JavaScript
– Database management experience including software such as Postgres, MySQL/MariaDB, SQLite, MS Access, and Oracle; experience writing SQL
– Ability to work with a complete application stack like LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP/Python/Perl)
– Competency in web standards like HTML and CSS
– Understanding of networking components like DNS, SSL, and firewalls
– Ability to coordinate library system authentication using protocols such as SAML, LDAP, and SIP
– Previous work in a virtualized computing environment like VMWare
– Knowledge of email server configuration and management
– Demonstrated experience with metadata schema (MARC, Dublin Core, METS, FRBR, RDA)
– Demonstrated experience with managing electronic resources and using web-based APIs for data retrieval or management
– Long-term project management skills

Compensation:
$70,000 per year or higher plus a benefits package.
Start date: March 1, 2022.

How to apply:

Send email including resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to:

Joe Sikowitz
Executive Director
Fenway Library Organization
[email protected]

Fenway Library Organization encourages the application of all candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental or physical disability, or veteran status.