The University of Kansas – Information Technology

Department of Information Analysis and Design

Position Announcement

Librarian /Manager, Data Delivery Services

This department, Information Analysis and Design, supports data creation, analysis, access, dissemination, stewardship and management of University scholarly and administrative information in conjunction with other University partners.  We plan and design information services and systems in accordance with appropriate architectures, models, frameworks, and standards in response to changing customer requirements, evolving technologies, tools, and emerging best practices.

This unit, Data Delivery, leads the evolution of data delivery services and strategies.  The Data Delivery group supports the ongoing need to provide electronic access to traditional formats of information while helping the university build and sustain digital delivery imperatives as best practices and solutions in the form of technology tools and services.

This position, Manager of Data Delivery Services, is accountable for overseeing a wide group of projects and services that make information, both print and electronic, discoverable and usable over time.  The emphasis of this librarian is university information which may be administrative or scholarly and related to the university’s mission of teaching, learning, and research.

Responsibilities

Coordinates the development and management of information systems that deliver scholarly or administrative information.  These include library, digital library, and other university services that support information access and use, records management, or preservation of university information.

• Acts as a primary liaison from IT to University libraries, University archives, the Scholar Services program, and others responsible for delivering and managing university information.
• Oversees complex projects in a team environment that crosses organizational boundaries:
• Researches, plans, and oversees the development and implementation of new information systems, standards and processes;
• Plans and implements enhancements to existing systems that improve functionality and access to information;
• Plans projects that integrate technology with functional and informational needs;
• Oversees efforts to integrate data across various systems;
• Manages change successfully and with minimal service disruption to users.
• Provides coordination for resolving technical issues with library and digital technologies that can not be resolved initially by systems and applications administrators.
• Analyzes information vulnerabilities and works with others in IT to recommend and implement strategies to ensure that information is kept safe, available, and appropriately managed.
• Participates in development of policy, best practices, and procedures necessary to support a wide variety of information delivery services.
• Facilitates opportunities for Information Services to think together strategically about future development of our services.

Oversees the IT Data Delivery unit

• Supervises assigned staff.
• Prepares and reviews budgets.
• Reviews unit projects and works with staff to help set priorities.
• Take part in the management activities of the Information Technology division of Information Services.

Participates in research and service as a member of the library faculty

• Engages in scholarly activities, research and publishing in an area of faculty choice.
• Performs service activities for the University and relevant professional associations.

Qualifications

Required:

• Masters  degree from ALA accredited program.
• 5 years experience managing library or digital library systems based on unix-technology and including successful implementation and development of database-driven systems. 
• 5 years experience using knowledge of information management and library standards and protocols  (for instance, AACR2, XHTML, Z39.50, EDI, SGML, and specific metadata or markup standards including VRA, EAD, Dublin Core and MARC) as demonstrated by specific efforts and projects from the candidate’s work record.
• 2 years working in an environment that required managing and overseeing complex projects to demonstrate ability to manage and oversee complex projects in a team environment, to meet deadlines, and to prioritize work in alignment with organizational or departmental goals.
• 3 years experience using advanced techniques like XML, XSL/T, CSS, JavaScript, Html, or standard scripting and query languages.
• 3 years experience supervising library or technology staff.
• Strong commitment to the development and support of effective services for library users as demonstrated by at least 2 years experience supporting library technology services.

Preferred:

• Experience with digital repositories (preferably DSpace), link resolvers, and federated search tools.
• 3 years experience coordinating technologies that use the Microsoft server operating system.
• Working knowledge of the OpenURL standard.
• Working knowledge of Z39.50 and XML gateways for database searching.
• Working knowledge of at least one of the following development environments: JavaScript, PERL, PHP, .NET.
• Working knowledge of Apache, Tomcat, and database design and systems administration.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, including ability to develop written project proposals and analytical reports as demonstrated through application materials and sample proposals and reports.

Terms of Appointment:

Librarians at the University of Kansas are members of the University faculty. Librarians are evaluated annually first and foremost on the performance of professional responsibilities. In addition, librarians are expected to participate in, and are evaluated on, research, and service to the Libraries, the University, and the profession.

This is a tenure–track position as library faculty.  Candidates must be able to meet the discipline expectations for librarians as found at http://www.lib.ku.edu/public/lfa/2006_Discipline_Expectations.doc   Additional information about faculty tenure is found at:  http://www.provost.ku.edu/policy/faculty/evaluation.shtml .

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Must present proof of eligibility to work in the United States upon appointment.

Environment:

Opened in 1866, the University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university.  The largest of the Kansas regents’ institutions, KU annually awards more than 3,500 bachelor's degrees and 1,000 graduate degrees, including 200 doctoral degrees. The University of Kansas holds membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU).  Research awards at the University of Kansas soared 13 percent to a record $218 million in the past fiscal year, a nearly 50 percent increase in just the past five years.

The University of Kansas Libraries is a founding member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Center for Research Libraries, BioOne, and the Greater Western Library Alliance. KU Libraries own over four million volumes in seven library facilities in Lawrence and one in Kansas City.  The Libraries support more than 27,000 students and 2,100 faculty members.  Fifty-two librarians and 112 staff members contribute to an energetic work environment where innovation and collaboration across campus are encouraged and valued. A major division within Information Services, the University of Kansas Libraries partners with Information Technology to deliver innovative content and technology services to support research and learning.  Additional information about Information Services is available at http://www.informationservices.ku.edu.

Additional information about the University, the Libraries, and its collections can be found at http://www.ku.edu and http://www.lib.ku.edu. 

Considered one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation, KU's main campus occupies 1,000 acres on and around Mount Oread in Lawrence, a community of 90,000 among the forested hills of eastern Kansas. The campus offers a rich cultural life, including several museums such as the Natural History Museum and the Spencer Museum of Art, long considered one of the top teaching museums in the nation. The Lied Center, a $14.3 million, state-of-the-art performing arts center, hosts a variety of concerts, plays, dance performances and Broadway shows. The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, an $11-million, 28,000-square-foot facility, houses dynamic exhibits and the world's largest congressional archive.

Lawrence is conveniently situated between two large cities.  Thirty minutes to the east, Metropolitan Kansas City, with a population of nearly 2 million, offers attractive cultural resources including the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Jazz Museum, the Lyric Opera, the Kansas City Ballet and the Linda Hall Library, one of the largest engineering, science and technology libraries in the world. Twenty minutes to the west is Topeka, the capitol city with 122,000 residents. It is home of the Kansas State Historical Society, the State Capitol Complex and the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library.

More information about Lawrence is available at: www.visitlawrence.com.

Application Procedures: 

Applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is filled. Next review date of applications will be Feb 20, 2008.

Complete application includes: letter of interest, a statement addressing each of the required and preferred qualifications, curriculum vitae, and the names with contact information of three references.  Send by mail to:  Search Committee Chair, Librarian/Manager, Data Delivery Services, c/o University of Kansas Libraries, 502 Watson, 1425 Jayhawk Boulevard, University of Kansas, Lawrence KS 66045-7535, fax 785-864-5311, or electronically to rcwilson@ku.edu.    E-mail submission is encouraged.

Finalists for this position must complete an on-site interview process including a public presentation.  A full position description and application requirements can be found at https://jobs.ku.edu. Search for position 00007848.

Excellent benefits include a choice of health plans and the option for TIAA-CREF retirement benefits. Additional information about employment benefits at Kansas University may be found at http://hreo.ku.edu/prospective_faculty_staff.

The University of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The University encourages applications from underrepresented group members. Federal and state legislation prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, and veteran status. In addition, University policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, marital status, and parental status.