SYSTEMS & DISCOVERY LIBRARIAN

Systems & Discovery Librarian / Assistant Librarian I

Pay Status and Classification: Exempt, regular full-time

Supervisor: Director of Content & Digital Library Systems

Position Purpose: Improves and sustains a variety of staff-facing and public-facing library systems to ensure reliable and efficient access to the Library’s collections and resources. These systems include the library services platform (LSP; currently Alma), discovery layer (currently Primo VE), and off-campus authentication services (currently EZProxy and Shibboleth). Provides leadership in the development and enhancement of staff- and public-facing systems and collaborates with colleagues in Content & Digital Library Systems, Digital Scholarship & Public Services, Special Collections & Archives, and UCPC/Mandeville Gallery departments to coordinate, assess, and improve LSP and discovery experiences. Contributes to the library’s goal to best meet the Union College community’s diverse system needs.

The successful candidate is expected to pursue a focused program of professional development, scholarly activity, and service as described in the Union College Faculty Manual Section II.VI and Appendix VI.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Library Services Platform and Systems: Develops, enhances, and sustains the library services platform and discovery systems. Develop integrations between library systems and resources to improve workflows and enhance the user experience. Ensure streamlined access to materials on and off campus. Serve as the chief liaison with the Library’s integrated library systems vendor; schedule upgrades and coordinate discussion of system enhancements across the library.
2. User Experience: Collects data and provides reports on the use of such resources for the purpose of assessing services and improving user experience. Provide statistical reports as needed for planning purposes. Collaborates with colleagues within the library and across campus to gather data, assess, and implement changes related to library systems and discovery. 
3. Systems and Discovery Collaborations: Collaborates with colleagues within the Library, Information Technology Services, and across campus on library systems and services. Works with a variety of consortium partners, such as SUNY and Oberlin Group libraries, on systems collaborations. Serves on a variety of working groups and cross-functional teams that focus on discovery and access of library and information resources, as well as broader committees and working groups, and plays a key role in developing and fostering outcomes. Participates in the overall development of the library’s efforts to provide effective, timely, and relevant support for undergraduate research through improved systems and discovery.
4. Library and Campus Collaborations: Participates in library-wide services and projects, such as instruction, workshops, and events. Contributes actively to the discussion and planning for all aspects of department and library services to the diverse Union community, outside library users, and visiting researchers. Contributes to, and provides leadership in, various departmental and library-wide committees and working groups. 

Qualifications:

1. Master’s degree in library or information science from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited program and/or a combination of relevant education, training, certifications, and/or work experience.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of library application development processes, such as requirements gathering, data modeling, quality assurance, usability testing, and release management.
3. Ability to integrate technology with traditional services and resources.
4. Ability to work collaboratively with library colleagues, faculty, administrators, staff, and students to accomplish goals. 
5. Able to support, contribute to, and strengthen a vibrant, culturally diverse, and inclusive learning community of students, alumni, faculty, and fellow staff colleagues.
6. Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekend and evening hours to attend campus and library events.
7. Ability to travel regionally and nationally for consortia, membership meetings and professional development.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. A minimum two years of library experience.
2. Prior experience with the Alma library services platform.
3. Strong collaborative skills and user-centered focus.

The annual salary range for this position is $65,000-$75,000. Starting salary will be commensurate with qualifications. This position is available as soon as possible and eligible for a hybrid work schedule. 

We offer exceptional benefits including:

• Generous Vacation, Sick and Personal Time
• Winter Recess Break in Addition to Paid Holidays
• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision Insurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)
• Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On-Campus Wellness Programs
• Employee Scholarships toward Certifications, Seminars, Training and Professional Development
• Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability
• Tuition Assistance Program for Employee, Spouse and/or Dependents

Note: All new hires of Union College are subject to a thorough education, work experience, and criminal history background check.

Union College

Officially chartered in 1795, Union College is the fifth oldest liberal arts college in the country. Located in the Capital District of New York State, Union is a highly selective residential and undergraduate college, home to 2,200 students and 220 faculty, and offering 44 majors. Union was the first liberal arts college to rethink the traditional liberal arts education and adopt an engineering curriculum. That pioneering approach continues today with an education that encourages students to work beyond the limits of disciplinary boundaries, allowing them to think globally and lead innovatively in a world where problem solving requires breadth across humanities, arts, social sciences, science, and engineering.

Diversity at Union College

Union College is an equal opportunity employer and strongly committed to student and workforce diversity. Increasing diversity on campus is a critical priority for Union, one that is integral to our mission of preparing students for a globally interconnected world. Union provides a blend of intellectual, social and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social and personal development of a diverse community. We value and are committed to a host of diverse populations and cultures including, but not limited to, those based on race, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin and veteran status. Union College is committed to providing access and will provide reasonable accommodation in its application process to individuals with disabilities that request such accommodations.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Union College will not discriminate in the recruitment or selection of faculty and employees, or in any other area of employment, on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, religion, religious belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and veteran status. In this regard, opportunities for advancement will be made available without bias. The College is also subject to state and federal laws, supports efforts to attract and retain fully qualified women and other minority group members for faculty and other positions. Union College will comply with the letter and intent of all State and Federal laws and applicable orders pursuant to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action.