Discovery and Systems Librarian

Code4lib; Northampton (MA); Remote; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading college seeks a Discovery and Systems Librarian to oversee the library's technical infrastructure and enhance the user experience. The role involves collaboration with various departments, being a point of contact for library systems, and advocating for consortium needs. Candidates should possess strong technical skills, relevant experience in library management systems, and a collaborative spirit. Fully remote work eligibility is also offered for this role.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent required.
• 1-3 years experience with Library Management Systems.
• Experience with diverse backgrounds is important.

Responsibilities

• Oversee technical infrastructure and enhance user experience.
• Act as primary contact for FOLIO and advocate for consortium needs.
• Troubleshoot electronic access issues and optimize resource discovery.

Skills

Library management systems

Troubleshooting

Communication

Technical skills

Team collaboration

Diversity awareness

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

Tools

SQL

PHP

Javascript

Python

Job description

• Oversee the technical infrastructure of the Libraries’ discovery layer. Continually evaluate and enhance services, emphasizing accessibility and overall user experience.
• Act as the primary contact point for FOLIO within the Five Colleges. Review and test upgrades, update Five Colleges on bugs and system problems, and inform the Smith community about new features.
• Advocate for the consortium’s needs to EBSCO and other library software developers as well as publishers, in collaboration with Five College colleagues.
• Collaborate with the Electronic Resources Department to resolve on- and off-campus electronic resource access issues. Troubleshoot e-resource access barriers with library colleagues, students, and faculty, and resolve individual and large-scale access issues. Communicate potential issues to library stakeholders.
• Work with Learning, Research, and Technology staff to optimize the discovery of and access to the Libraries’ online and print collections for students, faculty, and staff.
• Chair the Libraries Discovery Team and participate in the Five College Discovery Committee, serving as chair on a rotating basis.
• Provide system and technical guidance for additional systems used within the Libraries, including the institutional repository, preservation systems, digital repository, and additional systems when necessary.
• Continually develop expertise with emerging technologies and identify, assess, and relay information about trends and innovations in electronic resource access and discovery to colleagues.
• Serve as a contact point for library staff for questions related to discovery and systems. Provide support and training to library staff as needed.

Other Functions

• Other duties as assigned.

All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

• Master's degree or equivalent
• 1-3 years experience working within Library Management Systems and discovery interfaces
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong technical skills, including knowledge of library software and systems, including integrated library systems, discovery systems, authentication software, openURL linking standards, and metadata standards
• Experience working in a consortial environment
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Ability to troubleshoot complex problems including system issues and access problems
• Understanding of accessibility standards and guidelines
• Knowledge of data privacy and security
• A basic understanding of digital preservation including concepts and tools
• Knowledge of metadata and cataloging formats including (MARC, Dublin Core, MODS, and METS)

Skills

Other Information

This position is eligible for a fully remote work schedule.

Remote workers may not reside in the following States: Arkansas, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Description

Review of applications will begin

June 12, 2025

Essential Functions

Discovery and Systems (100%)

• Oversee the technical infrastructure of the Libraries’ discovery layer. Continually evaluate and enhance services, emphasizing accessibility and overall user experience.
• Act as the primary contact point for FOLIO within the Five Colleges. Review and test upgrades, update Five Colleges on bugs and system problems, and inform the Smith community about new features.
• Advocate for the consortium’s needs to EBSCO and other library software developers as well as publishers, in collaboration with Five College colleagues.
• Collaborate with the Electronic Resources Department to resolve on- and off-campus electronic resource access issues. Troubleshoot e-resource access barriers with library colleagues, students, and faculty, and resolve individual and large-scale access issues. Communicate potential issues to library stakeholders.
• Work with Learning, Research, and Technology staff to optimize the discovery of and access to the Libraries’ online and print collections for students, faculty, and staff.
• Chair the Libraries Discovery Team and participate in the Five College Discovery Committee, serving as chair on a rotating basis.
• Provide system and technical guidance for additional systems used within the Libraries, including the institutional repository, preservation systems, digital repository, and additional systems when necessary.
• Continually develop expertise with emerging technologies and identify, assess, and relay information about trends and innovations in electronic resource access and discovery to colleagues.
• Serve as a contact point for library staff for questions related to discovery and systems. Provide support and training to library staff as needed.

Other Functions

• Other duties as assigned.

All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

• Master's degree or equivalent
• 1-3 years experience working within Library Management Systems and discovery interfaces
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong technical skills, including knowledge of library software and systems, including integrated library systems, discovery systems, authentication software, openURL linking standards, and metadata standards
• Experience working in a consortial environment
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Ability to troubleshoot complex problems including system issues and access problems
• Understanding of accessibility standards and guidelines
• Knowledge of data privacy and security
• A basic understanding of digital preservation including concepts and tools
• Knowledge of metadata and cataloging formats including (MARC, Dublin Core, MODS, and METS)

Skills

Basic competency in SQL, PHP, Javascript, Python

Other Information

This position is eligible for a fully remote work schedule.

Remote workers may not reside in the following States: Arkansas, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

How to apply

https://smithcollege.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/smithcollege/job/Smith-College/Discovery-and-Systems-Librarian_R-202500272

Contact:

[e-mail]

Discovery Discovery Services systems librarian Discovery System

Metadata

Published:Friday, June 13, 2025 06:25 UTC

Last updated:Friday, June 13, 2025 06:25 UTC