Position at University of Michigan

Digital Preservation Librarian
University of Michigan

The University Library seeks a Digital Preservation Librarian to
provide leadership and coordinate the library's activities to
preserve these growing collections.  The Digital Preservation
Librarian will report to the head of the Department of Preservation
and Conservation in the library's newly-formed Scholarly Resources
division.

The University Library at the University of Michigan
<URL:http://www.lib.umich.edu/> has been actively building digital
collections for over a decade.  Since 1997 the library's Digital
Library Production Service <URL:http://www.lib.umich.edu/lit/dlps/>
was a pioneer in developing systems for capture and serving
digitized information to the public and now hosts over a million
items from the library's web site.  Michigan in 2002 was among the
first research libraries to commit to digitization as a preservation
technology, routinely copying brittle books to digital format for
both preservation and access.  Michigan's participation in the early
Making of America project and recently the library's partnership
with Google to digitize its collection
<URL:http://www.lib.umich.edu/mdp/> are transforming how scholars
can search and find information, as well as the practice of research
and scholarship.  The library's groundbreaking Scholarly Publishing
Office <URL:http://spo.umdl.umich.edu/> has joined with academic and
other partners to produce and host scholarly electronic resources
since 2000.  In the span of just two years, the library's
institutional repository, Deep Blue <http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu>,
has made over 40,000 items available in a wide range of formats. The
digital collections receive support from the Library IT Core
Services team <URL:http://www.lib.umich.edu/lit/cs/> who design and
manage the technical infrastructure to support these collections.

The Digital Preservation Librarian will:

    Propose, plan, and develop a digital preservation program for
    University Library collections of enduring value in digital
    format: review existing Library practices and analyze needs;
    establish policies and best practices for the long-term
    protection and access to digital materials of all types, both
    created by or acquired by the Library, including text, images,
    data, audio-visual resources, Web pages, and ephemera.  Working
    closely with staff in Library IT Core Services, Digital Library
    Production Services, the Scholarly Publishing Office, Deep Blue,
    Preservation, and other library units, the Digital Preservation
    Specialist will implement, monitor, and maintain the digital
    preservation program.  The Digital Preservation Librarian will
    assume a key role in the creation and development of a
    trustworthy multi-institutional shared repository of digital
    resources.

    Assist in the ongoing development of requirements and
    specifications, including formats and metadata, for digital
    material the library solicits, accepts, or purchases into its
    collections, and advise both library staff and external content
    creators on strategies and the practical implementation of those
    specifications.

    Advise library staff and digital initiatives on all phases of
    the life cycle of digital content with the aim of long-term
    retention and access; provide training or orientations.
    Represent and champion digital preservation interests across the
    library, the university, and to the community at large.

    Prepare proposals for external funding for digital preservation
    projects.  Prepare specifications for vended services that
    support the digital preservation program; evaluate responses to
    proposals for such services and make recommendations for
    selecting vendors; and act on behalf of the library as a
    technical liaison on preservation issues to vendors providing
    digital materials.  Represent the University Library in
    cooperative projects or programs in digital preservation.

    Research and advise the library on contingency plans against
    threats to the digital collections, such as industry changes to
    file formats, natural disaster, and security breaches.

    Stay current on developing technologies, standards, and practice
    in preservation of digital collections; recommend responses to
    these developments through periodic alerts, summaries, reports,
    and revisions to policies and procedures.  Represent the
    University Library in forums on digital preservation at the
    campus, regional, national, or international level.

Further information may be found at
<URL:http://www.lib.umich.edu/hr/employment/preservation.html>

Qualifications

Required:  ALA-accredited masters degree in library or information
studies or equivalent combination of a relevant advanced degree and
experience. Education in computer or information science desired.
Demonstrated knowledge of the lifecycle management of digital
material; an understanding of issues related to digital formats,
media, and migration is required, along with an aptitude for quickly
mastering technical topics.  Experience working in research
collections (libraries, archives, museums, data centers), with a
minimum of 3 years of progressive experience with digital resources.
Excellent oral and written communications skills and the ability to
work collegially are essential.

Rank, Salary, and Leave: Rank is anticipated at Associate, Sr.
Associate, or full Librarian rank. Final rank and salary are
dependent on qualifications and experience. Professional positions
receive 24 days of vacation a year and 15 days of sick leave a year
with provisions for extended benefits as well as opportunities for
professional development and travel. Retirement:  TIAA/CREF or
Fidelity Investments

To Apply:  Send cover letter and copy of resume to

    Library Human Resources
    404 Hatcher Graduate Library North
    University of Michigan
    Ann Arbor MI 48109-1205
    libhumres<-a t->umich< . >edu

Contact 734-764-2546 for further information.

Application Deadline:  Review of applications will begin on March
15, 2008 and continue until the position is filled.

The University of Michigan is a non-discriminatory, affirmative
action employer

Shannon Zachary
Head, Preservation and Conservation
University Library, University of Michigan
734-763-6980

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