Electronic Resources and Systems Librarian

Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) invites applications for a full-time Electronic Resources and Systems Librarian to join our Library team. The person in this role contributes to academic success at MSOE by providing leadership and technical expertise in the management of the library’s electronic resources and digital services infrastructure.

The ideal candidate should be comfortable and confident planning, leading, and executing complex technical projects in support of the library’s goals. They should also expect to conduct ongoing functional and strategic maintenance of various technical systems, with a focus on delivering an excellent and effective user experience. They will spend time networking with stakeholders throughout the university to learn about users’ needs and directly support MSOE programs using the library’s digital resources. They will also design metadata schemas and taxonomies for unique library materials and resources.

This position additionally contributes to academic success by contributing as necessary to a variety of essential library activities, including but not limited to instruction, reference, supervision, circulation, collection development, customer service, and other core library tasks. Participation in formal and informal student success activities, along with University service and committee work, is a requirement of this position.

Normal Working Hours

Academic Year (when classes are in session): This on-site position features a 40-hour work week, consisting of five eight-hour shifts (plus one-half hour for lunch each shift) over five days. An exact normal academic year work shift is determined by the Director of the Library.  The work shift may be temporarily adjusted (either short- or long-term) to meet library or MSOE operational needs.

Academic Break Weeks and Summer: 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Essential Job Functions

• Serve a leading role in the development, maintenance, and support of digital resources, assets, services, systems, tools, and objects. This work supports effective and seamless discovery/access to the library’s services and resources. This is done across a variety of systems, platforms, and tools.
• Provide ongoing technical expertise and troubleshooting support and system administration for a variety of library systems and information technology. This includes, but is not limited to, the library’s:
  • Discovery service (currently, Summon)
  • Proxy server (currently, OCLC EZproxy)
  • Link resolver (currently, 360 Link)
  • Integrated library database system (currently, SirsiDynix Horizon with Horizon Information Portal [HIP])
  • Digital Assets (DA) system and Institutional Repository (IR) (primary responsibility for implementation and ongoing support/maintenance/troubleshooting of TIND IR+DA)
  • The MSOE content management system
  • Numerous other web-based applications, such as Springshare applications (LibGuides, LibInsight, LibCal, LibWizard)
• Collaborate with the MSOE IT Department to initiate and coordinate support and administrative activities.
• Participate in technical strategic planning, including the identification and evaluation of new or emerging systems, information technology, and solutions.
• As needed, in collaboration with other MSOE departments, contribute to cross-functional academic success projects and activities.
• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of all academic programs and curricula at MSOE.
• Understand and be able to use in a professional manner the library’s available print, electronic, and other resources and tools, as well as the Internet, for reference and information research.
• Provide general as well as specialized and advanced reference and information research help to students, faculty, staff, and other customers associated with MSOE, both online and in-person, asynchronous and synchronous.
• Participate as needed in the library’s instructional and information literacy activities, both online and in-person, asynchronous and synchronous. This includes participation in academic success initiatives and activities associated with online support, as well as activities associated with integrating library resources and services into MSOE course curricula, in addition to activities to promote and raise awareness of the library’s resources, services, and functions, particularly with respect to research and academic success initiatives.
• As needed, contribute to the library’s collection development activities for all formats and all collections in the library.  This can include collaborating throughout the University to contribute to the development of user-centered collections; participating in procedures, methods, processes, and activities whose purpose is to gather input and feedback from the MSOE Community.
• As needed, in compliance with the library’s weeding policy and procedures, participate in the library’s print materials weeding, withdrawal, replacement, and discard activities.
• As needed, participate in the library’s activities to review and analyze collections to verify their relevance for the MSOE community.
• As needed, supervise, train, and support paraprofessional personnel.
• As needed, supervise, train, and support student-workers.
• Report maintenance problems in compliance with standard procedures. Complete other maintenance-related activities as required (e.g., helping with the cleaning of storage and other areas, maintaining a clean workspace, etc.).
• Contribute to a safe library environment by reporting safety issues to MSOE’s Public Safety Department in compliance with standard procedures.

Other Duties and Responsibilities     

• Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting on library equipment, including scanner/copier/printers, laptops, staplers, and other equipment.
• Cover the front Circulation Desk and perform full range of Circulation duties.
• Understand how to create maintenance/custodial and IT tickets, and report as appropriate, custodial/maintenance and IT issues.  Notify via e-mail other library personnel, and call library Director if appropriate.
• Understand and implement, as appropriate or if required, the library Emergency Response Plan, including proper evacuation methods.
• Help to ensure a secure and safe environment in the library. Contact Public Safety to address safety and security issues as appropriate and notify library personnel via e-mail. Engage and disengage DETEX alarm system, as needed.
• Regularly check library, interlibrary loan, and archives e-mail accounts during work shift, and respond as appropriate.
• Cross-training in other duties, as needed, to contribute to, or to maintain, operational efficiency of the library.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library/Information Science or equivalent combination of Master’s degree and relevant experience required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of academic library operations, services, and resources.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Word and Excel.
• Demonstrated effective customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn technical skills, familiarity with Digital Assets (DA) systems, Institutional Repository (IR) systems, and web content management systems. Knowledge of web development technology (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript), knowledge of and experience with Springshare products.
• Demonstrated skill in the use of computer systems and associated software, as well as an integrated library database system, the Internet, e-mail, and the Web.  Affinity for technology.
• Demonstrated ability to routinely interact in a professional, respectful, constructive, and positive manner with students, staff, faculty, and colleagues.
• Excellent interpersonal skills crucial to providing services to the public and working with others, including (but not limited to) flexibility, enthusiasm, confidentiality, attention to detail, team player approach, and open-mindedness.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a collaborative and diverse environment to achieve goals. Ability to routinely engage in constructive work behaviors and to avoid difficult or problem behaviors.  Ability to routinely examine one’s own behaviors, accept accountability for one’s own actions, and adjust appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and to routinely act in accordance with basic values and ethics of library service.
• Demonstrated ability to routinely align efforts with the vision and direction of the library and MSOE.
• Demonstrated ability to manage detail, recognize and set priorities, meet deadlines, work quickly and accurately, follow instructions, and maintain confidentiality.  Ability to remain calm in high-pressure situations and to be effective in a fast-paced and changing environment. Ability to effectively adapt to change and challenges.
• Demonstrated planning and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively use initiative, problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and sound judgment, and to engage in effective decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to read and to fluently use English.
• Documented record of dependability and compliance with workplace rules.
• Comfortable with public speaking.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before others. Ability to effectively communicate in both written and oral form.
• Ability to apply basic mathematical skills to understand and to use numbers, and to perform basic data analysis.
• Ability to use numbers to solve problems involving concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out written or oral instructions.

Physical Demands

An individual performing the duties in this position is required to sit for the duration of most work shifts.  However, standing, walking, reaching, lifting, and climbing library safety step ladders and library safety step stools are all regularly required.  An individual must be able to hear, to see, to speak, and to listen effectively with respect to others.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, and ability to read materials in print and electronic format.  An individual performing this job must be able to use hands and fingers to handle, to feel, to operate, tools or controls, such as a computer keyboard, mouse, or other devices, as well as to perform repetitive motion using hands, wrists, and arms.  The carrying of library materials and equipment is required; individuals may be required to lift and to carry up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed on-site in a professional office associated with an academic library, with some work occurring throughout the library. On occasion, work may also be required in other locations on the MSOE campus, or in off-campus locations, if necessary.  Work can be fast paced with interruptions. Duties of this position are usually performed in an indoor environment, involving contact with library customers.  Noise levels for this position range from quiet to moderate.

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principle functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

It is the policy of MSOE to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic characteristics, marital status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. This policy applies to all jobs at the University and to all the terms, benefits, and conditions of employment/enrollment.