Digital Collections and Emerging Formats Librarian

This position is responsible for managing Virginia Tech's digital library of cultural heritage, natural history, and scientific materials, placing a special emphasis on integrating emerging digital formats such as 3D imagery, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR).
Responsibilities include developing, managing, and innovating digital collections that encompass digitized archival materials, cultural artifacts, audio-visual formats, and biodiversity specimens. The role demands advanced skill in managing digital collections, in-depth
knowledge of metadata standards, and proficiency in digital preservation technologies to ensure broad accessibility and long-term preservation of diverse materials. Interdisciplinary collaboration across various library and university departments is crucial to effectively manage and enhance the accessibility and utility of digital collections through a range of evolving technologies. The librarian will play a leadership role in digital librarianship, demonstrating innovation in collection management, strategic budget management, and staying current with evolving trends in the field to continuously enhance the library's digital offerings, while also engaging actively with the broader academic and library communities.
Responsibilities:
The Digital Collections and Emerging Formats Librarian manages digital collections for Virginia Tech University Libraries’ digital libraries and preservation program by accomplishing the following:
-Digital Collections Management: Overseeing digital collections for Virginia Tech’s digital libraries and preservation program, enhancing access to digitized heritage and scientific collections, including emerging digital formats such as AR, VR, and 3D objects, using
content management systems and metadata editors.
-Metadata Remediation and Transformation: Coordinating metadata remediation for digital objects in cultural and scientific collections. Ensuring compatibility with external aggregators like DPLA and developing new metadata schemas for emerging formats.
-Workflow Optimization: Collaborating with the Digital Library Development team to optimize workflows for ingest and management. Implementing new technologies and systems that enhance digital asset management, especially for novel and emerging
formats.
-Supervision and Quality Control: Supervising staff and student workers, overseeing quality control, metadata enhancement, and authority control for collections. Fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the team.
-Collection Organization: Ensuring collections are organized and described according to local standards and best practices in digital librarianship. Leading initiatives to digitize and make accessible physical collections, focusing on unique or rare items.
-Emerging Technologies and Formats: Staying abreast of and experimenting with emerging technologies and formats in digital librarianship. Piloting projects, evaluating new tools, and collaborating with tech companies and academic departments to advance
the library's digital offerings.
-Community Engagement and Collaboration: Engaging with the broader academic and library communities. Participating in consortia, contributing to professional communities, and building partnerships to enhance the library's digital collections and services.
-Professional Development and Leadership: Pursuing continuous learning and professional development in the field of digital librarianship. Attending and contributing to conferences, workshops, and webinars, and engaging in scholarly writing and presentations.

-Master’s degree in Information Science or related field from a graduate program accredited by the American Library Association.
-Completion of graduate-level coursework in information architecture or related field, evidenced by transcripts or course descriptions. This should include practical application aspects, such as real website redesigns, with a focus on enhancing accessibility.
-A minimum of one year of experience in managing and cataloging digital collections, substantiated by a portfolio of managed collections.
-At least one year of documented experience in managing archival and digital collections in cultural heritage and bioscience, with evidence of specific projects or initiatives led.
-One year of professional experience using batch processing methodologies for digital curation, evidenced by advanced technical skills and efficiency. This includes capabilities in creating and executing command-line scripts, as well as batch remediating and
transforming metadata using Python, Oxygen, or similar technologies.
-Minimum of one year of professional experience in a scholarly communication or similar library department, that involved debugging and managing digital repositories.
-At least one year of technical experience in both front-end and back-end operations of digital systems such as Omeka, DSpace, Open Journal System, or Fedora.
-Demonstrable expertise with metadata standards, evidenced by projects or implementations using Dublin Core, Darwin Core, and Encoded Archival Description.
-Proven expertise in digital formats for various media types, validated through project examples focusing on web accessibility.
-Demonstrated application of OCR and HTR processes in workflows, evidenced by project examples or process integration.
-Three years of experience in advanced Excel and database functionalities, evidenced by examples of crafting complex formulas and functions for in-depth data analysis.

Appointment Type

A/P Faculty, Assistant Professor, regular full-time appointment

$66,032.00

12/10/2024

The application package needs to include a resume, cover letter addressing the candidate’s experience with the responsibilities associated with the position, and the required and preferred qualifications, and the names of three(3) references and their contact information.

In addition, please include  a portfolio titled “Evidence of Required Qualifications,” with clearly labeled examples that substantiate each requirement. This portfolio should include documentation such as project descriptions, screenshots, code samples, course transcripts, and other relevant materials demonstrating your expertise and experience as outlined in the job posting.

  The University Libraries at Virginia Tech is committed to building a culturally diverse community and strongly encourages applications from women and minorities. We are committed to mentoring and establishing safe spaces, both physical and virtual, where employees from current and historically minoritized groups can thrive.

  The members of the University Libraries at Virginia Tech strive individually and collectively to create, sustain, and share inclusive ways of knowing in conscientious community with each other and all the people we serve in every space we shape. In keeping with our Aspirational Identity and the Virginia Tech Principles of Community, the University Libraries commits to build and maintain enduring climates of mutual care, respect, and responsibility.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.