Institutional Repository Librarian

The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Libraries invites applications and nominations for the position of Institutional Repository Librarian. This position works in a collaborative environment in the Digital Libraries and Publishing Department to advance the institutional repository program and guide its continued growth.

Reporting to the Head of Digital Libraries and Publishing, the Institutional Repository Librarian provides leadership and vision for VCU Libraries’ open-access institutional repository, Scholars Compass. This role collaborates with faculty, students, and staff to support the open access dissemination of research, scholarship, and creative expression in alignment with the university’s and libraries’ strategic direction.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Lead planning and implementation for the strategic direction of the institutional repository, defining its scope, services, and areas of growth.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the institutional repository and monitor the day-to-day operations of the repository.

• Serve as primary Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) manager, coordinating submission workflows and policies in collaboration with stakeholders, including the Graduate School and University Archives.

• Provide guidance and support to VCU researchers on repository services and alternative models for research dissemination.

• Collaborate with Digital Libraries and Publishing librarians and staff on initiatives to expand access to knowledge and increase the visibility of VCU scholarship.

• Engage with partners within VCU Libraries, other campus constituencies, and community partners to advance strategic activities in scholarly publishing and repository services.

The Institutional Repository Librarian is supported to be active professionally and to contribute to developments in the field. Faculty with the VCU Libraries are evaluated, and promoted, on the basis of job performance, scholarship, and service.

Required Qualifications

• ALA-accredited graduate degree or an accredited graduate degree in another appropriate discipline. If in progress, the graduate degree must be completed by the date of hire.  

• Demonstrated excellent communication skills.

• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with repository software platforms, digital asset management systems, or publishing platforms (for example, Digital Commons, DSpace, Fulcrum, Janeway, Open Journal Systems, and Samvera).

• Track record of engagement in repository, open access, and/or scholarly publishing initiatives at research institutions.

• Basic knowledge of relevant metadata schema and standards (e.g., Dublin Core, MODS, PREMIS, DOI, ORCID) and their role in institutional repository management, discovery, and preservation.

• Experience working strategically and collaboratively with stakeholders to build services, programs, and initiatives in a complex, changing environment.

• Knowledge of copyright, fair use, ethics, privacy, accessibility, and grants compliance as they relate to institutional repositories.

• Interest or experience in securing external funding support (e.g., grant, foundation, or philanthropic).

• Experience and/or vision in providing students meaningful and transformative work experiences.

Candidates need not meet all preferred qualifications to be fully considered. We value many individual and unique skills that would strengthen the VCU Libraries and our teams. Entry-level candidates who are passionate about leading forward-thinking repository initiatives are encouraged to apply.

Salary: Salary commensurate with experience, not less than $62,000 annually.

Learn about the position in an online information session

We are hosting information sessions for interested applicants in advance of the June 15, 2025 review date.

Please consider joining one of these sessions to learn more about the position, meet the supervisor, Karen Bjork, and get answers to your questions about the position.

Join one of our information sessions via Zoom:

• Thursday, May 29, 2025 | 1:00-2:00 pm Eastern

• Monday, June 9, 2025 | 1:00-2:00 pm Eastern

The attendee list for each Zoom session will be hidden and those asking questions may do so anonymously. Live captioning will be provided. To attend a session, please complete the confidential form to receive a Zoom link.

Questions? Please contact Karen Bjork, Head, Digital Libraries and Publishing, at bjorkk@vcu.edu.

Position Type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent: 1.0
ORP Eligible: Yes
Tenure: 
Rank: Open
Months: 12
Department: Digital Libraries and Publishing Department

Salary: Salary commensurate with experience, not less than $62,000 annually.

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