Healey Library at UMass Boston seeks an innovative and enthusiastic librarian to join the growing team in the Library Systems and Discovery Services department. We seek candidates who are strong collaborators and excited to work in a collaborative and user-centered team environment at an urban public research university library that supports our broadly diverse campus community of approximately 17,000 students and 1,100 faculty in the full range of library resources and services, on and off campus. We value excellent user experience, innovative library services, effective and equitable intellectual access to resources and collections. Healey Library is committed to building a diverse and inclusive staff to support the community, as part of its organizational commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion values and practices in its services and work environment.
The Library Systems and Discovery Services Department is responsible for core library digital system infrastructure and the discovery services that support research, scholarship, teaching and learning, and student academic success at UMass Boston. We strive to strengthen the library systems infrastructure in order to provide a seamless, barrier-free discovery of collections and services. Reporting to the Head of Library Systems and Discovery Services, this position works collaboratively with staff within the department, as well as with other departments in the Library and across campus, to deliver new services, support the user experience, and enhance operational efficiency related to the library management and discovery systems and applications.
The Systems and Applications Development Librarian will play a key role in enhancing and supporting library management systems and applications, and optimizing integration and interoperability with third-party systems and applications in order to enable efficient workflows and quality services that meet the needs of the diverse user community. They provide the technical knowledge and programming expertise needed for the development, integration, support and security of a wide array of library systems, applications and services; develop custom library applications to create efficiencies of the back-end functions for Library staff; adapt new and existing web technology and tools to improve the patrons’ experience of the Library's online services; analyze, design and implement library systems infrastructures and user interfaces that provide a seamless discovery and access of library resources and services; explore new technologies to identify opportunities for effective application and the potential integration with other university and library systems; provide enhanced reports and data transformations related to library systems and services using various data science libraries. They assist in the administration and maintenance of library management system and auxiliary systems and other applications; participate in the Library’s usability efforts in evaluating and advancing the library discovery, access, and delivery services; and participate in the development and assessment of a broad range of library technology initiatives and plans.
The ideal candidate should have the skillsets of a programmer/analyst as well as of academic librarian with a good understanding of library systems and services related to resource discovery and management, including discovery tools, OpenURL link resolvers, InterLibrary Loan, user authentication protocols and integrated library systems. They should possess a thorough understanding of web application development frameworks and current web technologies with broad knowledge of library metadata standards and data analytics and visualization. They should have good time management skills and the ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively both as a team member and independently; embrace a flexible, responsive and user-centered approach to systems administration and development, adapt to a changing environment with excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills. UMass Boston Healey Library environment includes, but is not limited to, Ex Libris’ Alma, Primo VE, OpenAthens, ILLiad, Lean Library, CONTENTdm, and various digital collections management and archival management platforms.
B. Examples of Duties:
● Design, develop and maintain custom applications and user interfaces in support of seamless discovery and delivery of library services and collections;
● Utilize available APIs and web services, develop or modify API scripts for data feeds and system integrations with third-party applications and systems;
● Provide enhanced reports and data transformations related to library systems and services using various data science libraries to assist the Library in maximizing data driven decision making;
● Assist in analytic reporting from various systems and use a variety of software tools for the extraction, manipulation and visualization of data for use by various systems;
● Research, recommend and adopt standard and emerging tools, techniques, methods and applications to improve efficiencies and provide new services to library patrons;
● Maintain security and access control of library systems to ensure the data integrity and integration;
● Support and ensure the interoperability of our Library management system (currently Ex Libris' Alma), authentication system (currently OpenAthens and Shibboleth configurations) and other auxiliary systems;
● Create and implement policies for data integrity and integration, coordinate and perform upgrades, and manage regular feeds of patron data into and out of Alma;
● Troubleshoot problems reported by library staff and follow up with vendor support staff when needed;
● Participate in research, development and, when needed, other library information technology-related projects;
● Perform security reviews, code and system updates, and backup and recovery processes for related library applications;
● Document workflows and standards related to all aspects of the library systems, services, and related applications;
● Provide technical support and training to library staff for library-specific software and equipment when needed;
● Perform other duties as assigned or required.
C. Minimum Qualifications:
● Graduate degree in library or information science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent or a graduate degree in computer science;
● Evidence of ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a diverse environment;
● Meets five or more of the preferred qualifications for the position.
Strongly Preferred Qualifications for the Position
● Professional experience working with library systems in an academic or research library
● Experience of web and application development and programing
Other Preferred Qualifications for the Position
● Experience with supporting and developing one or more ILS and discovery systems;
● Experience with Ex Libris’ Primo, Alma, and Leganto is highly desirable;
● Working knowledge of one or more structured programming languages (e.g. PHP, Ruby, Python, Perl, Java, etc.);
● Experience with web application development in a Unix/Linux or Cloud Computing environment;
● Hands-on experience of web technologies including HTML, CSS, JavaScript/JQuery, XML/XSLT, JSON, Angular;
● Understanding of Web Services such as REST, SOAP, and other XML-based APIs, experience of integrating multiple software or services via APIs;
● Knowledge of web and user-centered design, assessment methodologies, and usability studies;
● Knowledge of standards and best practices for web accessibility and ADA compliance preferred;
● Experience with OpenAthens, Shibboleth, or other authentication systems and protocols;
● Experience with analytics and data reporting and visualization tools such as Tableau;
● Familiarity with digital repositories such as ArchivesSpace, CONTENTdm, Omeka, DSpace, and Islandora;
● Understanding of library data formats and standards (e.g. MARC, RDA, Dublin Core, METS, MODS, others);
● Understanding of digital collection management systems and current library technology standards and access services protocols (e.g. Z39.50, OpenURL, NCIP, DOI, CrossRef, OAI-PMH);
● Evidence of commitment to user-centered service to students and faculty in an academic institution;
● Familiarity with version control systems such as Git.
D. Supervision Received:
The Systems and Applications Development Librarian reports directly to the Head of Library Systems and Discovery Services.This position may be hired at the Librarian I, II, III, or IV range, depending on the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant. To view the current contract governing Faculty & Librarians, please see the 2020-2023 FSU agreement https://www.fsu.umb.edu/content/fsu-contract. Salary floors are listed on p. 82 of the contract, and are $54,000 for Librarian I, $60,500 for Librarian II, $68,500 for Librarian III, and $78,000 for Librarian IV.
Application instructions:
Please apply online with your CV, cover letter, and a list of three professional references. For questions about this position, please email library.systems@umb.edu.
UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the ADA/504 Coordinator Andrea Haas or 617-287-5148.
The University of Massachusetts Boston provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class. The University of Massachusetts Boston complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the university operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.
UMass Boston normally does not provide H-1B visa sponsorship for non-academic positions.
The University of Massachusetts Boston is committed to providing a safe and secure environment that is supported by qualified employees for all of its students, faculty and staff to carry out the University's teaching, research and public service missions. As a condition of employment, the University will conduct appropriate background check reviews. For more information, please see the University of Massachusetts Boston campus policy and procedures for employee background reviews.
UMass Boston requires all employees to be vaccinated and to confirm proof of their vaccination status. Exemptions from the vaccine requirement will be permitted only for qualifying religious or medical reasons. Regardless of vaccination status, you must wear a face covering in public indoor spaces on campus.