Under the direction of the Head of Technical Services and working in close collaboration with units across the Beinecke Library and the Yale University Library, the Head of Beinecke Digital Services leads and coordinates the Beinecke Library’s digitization program, digital projects, and user experience initiatives that enhance access to and use of Beinecke Library and its collections, including the Beinecke Digital Library, collection web pages, and online exhibits. The Head leads and provides technical expertise in the investigation, development, and application of interfaces and tools that affect the user experience, as well as metadata and digitization workflows and standards.
The Head of Beinecke Digital Services liaises with the Yale University Library’s Information Technology and Digital Initiatives departments and works collaboratively with Yale University Library staff. The Head may represent the Beinecke within Yale University Library and nationally and internationally in discussions and committees pertaining to user experience initiatives, metadata, and digitization at Yale and is active professionally.
The Head of Beinecke Digital Services supervises the work of three senior photographers and three metadata catalog assistants to coordinate and supervise metadata creation, digitization, color management, and quality control activities. The Head participates in the Beinecke’s Technical Services Management Group to develop technical services strategies, policies, and procedures for the Beinecke Library.
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Principal Responsibilities:
1. Actively practice and advocate effective communication in all aspects of digital initiatives within the Library and throughout the YUL system. Establish productive relationships with individuals and organizations both at Yale and at other institutions in order to advance Library objectives.
2. Work closely with curators and key staff to assess feasibility, propose, and develop plans for digital projects.
3. Work with Library IT and the Director of Digital Initiatives to design and implement technical infrastructure and workflows.
4. Evaluate and make recommendations on digitization procedures for a wide range of collection materials, considering issues of original format, productivity, and preservation, as well as YUL standards.
5. Analyze researcher, faculty, and student needs and develop programming in support of digital research and teaching. Analyze the feasibility of new services or modifications to existing Library services. Work independently or lead a project team to implement Library goals.
6. Assume full or partial responsibility in project management for Library digital initiatives, including assessment and evaluation of project scope, analysis, project proposals, quality assurance, workflows, staffing, budgeting, documentation, and reporting.
7. Evaluate, recommend, and assist with digitization equipment and software selection as well as facility oversight including staff and patron workstations located in the library.
8. Manage local and/or vendor digitization.
9. Serve on various Library, Yale University Library, and Yale University committees in support of the Library and University’s mission relevant to digital initiatives.
10. Participate in professional activities outside of Yale and monitor developments and best practices elsewhere to help ensure the excellence of the Library’s technology activities.
11. May be required to assist with disaster recovery efforts.
12. May be assigned to work at any Yale University Library location
Required Education and Experience:
Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library school or equivalent accredited degree. In selected instances, a post-graduate degree in museum studies or a related discipline in the humanities or social sciences may be substituted for a master’s degree in library science.
Required Skills:
Excellent supervisory and strong leadership abilities.
Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of digital library standards and practices, such as digitization, digital preservation, standards for media content, metadata, controlled authorities, and user experience.
Project management skills, especially the ability to devise and achieve agreed-upon completion dates for projects; ability to multitask and keep priorities aligned to objectives; ability to identify and analyze problems in the context of special collections technology initiatives.
Excellent analytical, oral, and written communication skills, especially the ability to convey and explain to non-technical audiences the importance and impact of technology trends and issues relevant to the YUL’s operation and mission.
Strong commitment to customer service with well-developed interpersonal skills and demonstrated abilities to work collegially with staff, researchers, and colleagues, especially in the context of technology initiatives that are specific to academic libraries and special collections.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
Experience with agile and traditional project methodologies. Professional experience with digital photography and color management. Familiarity with intellectual property rights and Fair Use applied to libraries. Familiarity with one or more major digital content management systems appropriate for repositories. Knowledge of current digital library technologies, standards, and best practices.
View additional information and apply for the position: http://bit.ly/23269BR