Position number: 042747
The University of Miami Libraries seeks a creative, innovative individual to provide leadership and management expertise in growing the Libraries’ digital special collections and oral histories programs.
UNIVERSITY: The University of Miami is one of the nation’s leading research universities in a community of extraordinary diversity and international vitality. The University is privately supported, non-sectarian institution, located in Coral Gables, Florida, on a 260-acre subtropical campus. The University comprises 11 degree granting schools and colleges, including Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Communication, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Music, Nursing, and Marine and Atmospheric Science (www.miami.edu).
THE LIBRARY: The University of Miami Libraries (www.library.miami.edu) rank among the top 50 research libraries in North America with a collection of over 3.3 million volumes and 80,830 current serials titles, including 76,840 electronic journals. The Otto G. Richter Library lies in the heart of the Coral Gables campus and serves as the central library for the University. Other University of Miami libraries include the Paul Buisson Architecture Library, the Judi Prokop Newman Business Information Resource Center, the Marta & Austin Weeks Music Library, and the Marine and Atmospheric Science Library. The University also has independent medical and law libraries. The Libraries provide support and services for approximately 10,368 undergraduates, 5,289 graduate students, and 13,464 full and part time faculty and staff. Excluding the independent libraries, the University Libraries employ 56 professional and 90 support staff and are a member of ARL, ASERL, CLIR, NERL, RLG, and Lyrasis.
POSITION: Reporting to the Head of Digital Scholarship and Programs, develops, coordinates, and manages digital initiatives primarily focused on the special collections and specifically coordinates the operations of the Libraries’ growing Oral History Program; works closely with the Libraries’ special collections, Cataloging & Metadata Services, and Web and Emerging Technologies staff to ensure successful and sustainable implementation of oral histories and digital initiatives.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Serves as the project manager for the Libraries’ digital initiatives primarily focused on the special collections. Defines strategies, methods, presentation and workflow to implement all approved projects and initiatives.
- Coordinates and participates in relevant operations and development for special collections digital initiatives to include content selection, digitization, description, delivery, and preservation. Monitors all activities through to completion meeting all project timelines and requirements. Works with relevant staff to communicate and promote the Libraries’ digital projects and initiatives through the Libraries’ communication workflow and other strategies.
- Working collaboratively with the special collections and other Librarian and University faculty, coordinates the Libraries’ growing oral history program. Coordinates histories for all projects, oversees any conversion, transcription and delivery strategies needed. Works to increase use and accessibility of these materials in the research, teaching, and learning of the University. Also, oversees the Libraries’ activities in the creation of oral histories.
- Develops reports for administrative and financial purposes for internal administration and external agencies. Develops documentation to outline the scope and description of projects, procedures, and technical specifications for future operations and maintenance.
- Advises and collaborates with faculty and staff internally and University-wide to develop relevant new projects, initiatives and services.
- Works with Digital Scholarship and Programs staff to develop strategies and document processes to preserve, maintain, and inventory all library or affiliated digital initiatives.
- Advocates, researches, and writes grants for funding support for the Libraries’ digital initiatives and oral histories through donors, University Administration, and funding agencies.
- Keeps abreast of digital library development and scholarly communication, and is involved in some form of professional development and service to the Libraries and the University.
- Participates as a member of relevant library/university groups and committees to gain awareness, and provide suggestions and insight into appropriate digital initiatives. Represents the interests of the University of Miami Libraries in related and advantageous international, national, regional, and local initiatives, organizations, and associations.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
- ALA accredited master’s degree in Library and Information Science.
- One year of professional experience in an academic library or archival environment.
- Excellent and effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to operate effectively both independently and in teams, with multiple responsibilities in a dynamic diverse academic environment. Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, initiate, track, and manage multiple detail-oriented projects and meet deadlines.
- Working knowledge and experience with technological applications and digital libraries to include digital platforms and formats, systems, software, metadata, controlled vocabularies, and archival encoding standards.
- Knowledge of standards and best practices for digital library project management, techniques, practices, and standards for digital preservation, and experience managing large sets of digital files.
- Knowledge of the techniques and practices for textual, image, audio, and video conversion to digital form.
- Demonstrated experience with or knowledge of a variety of manuscripts and visual archives media formats and accepted methods for their processing, preservation and use.
- Demonstrated ability to meet the University of Miami Libraries’ criteria for advancement and promotion of library faculty, through professional development and service accomplishments.
Preferred:
- Archival training and demonstrated knowledge of rare and unique library materials.
- General knowledge of markup and database languages and practices used in digital libraries.
- Processing and research and abilities with manuscripts and visual items with previous experience in collections processing in a special library setting.
- Knowledge of oral history procedures and practices.
- Experience with digital audio/video recording and transcription equipment.
- Grant-writing experience.
- Supervisory experience.
SALARY AND BENEFITS: Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a non-tenure track faculty appointment at the Librarian Assistant/Associate Professor rank. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package including: TIAA-CREF; medical and dental insurance; life, disability, and long-term care insurance available; tuition remission; 13 paid holidays; and 22 days annual vacation. Additional employment benefits available include credit union; Employee Assistance Program; bookstore, and sporting event discounts; optional fee-based membership in a state-of-the-art wellness center, and no state or local income taxes. More information on benefits can be found at: http://www.miami.edu/benefits/pdf/bensum-faculty06.pdf.
APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applications and nominations will be accepted until a suitable candidate is selected. Applications should be submitted electronically and must include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae and the names of three references. The references will not be contacted before the appropriate time. Send nominations and applications to:
Marylen Exposito, Human Resources Manager
Otto G. Richter Library
University of Miami
P.O. Box 248214
Coral Gables, FL 33124-0320
e-mail: richter.recruiting@miami.edu
fax: 305-284-3913
The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. The University has a strong commitment to diversity and encourages applications from candidates of diverse cultural backgrounds.