Discovery Systems and Electronic Resources Specialist

The New School; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The New School is seeking a Discovery Systems and Electronic Resources Specialist to support discovery and access to library resources. You will work with Digital Library and Technical Services teams to enhance how users find and use library, archives, and special collections materials within the catalog and related applications.

Responsibilities include analyzing usage, troubleshooting OpenAthens, and implementing improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and relevant professional experience or equivalent.
• Experience supporting electronic resources, discovery systems, metadata workflows, library systems, scholarly communications, or academic information services.
• Experience with data integrations, APIs, or automated workflows.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze catalog and electronic resource usage.
• Troubleshoot electronic resource access (OpenAthens) and metadata issues.
• Recommend and implement discovery and supporting system improvements.
• Coordinate with university, consortial, and vendor support departments.
• Create and review documentation for library staff.
• Facilitate import of new digital collections and secure electronic lending within the discovery interface.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the Libraries, Archives, and other areas of the university.
• Enrich and load metadata for electronic/digital library materials in consultation with the Metadata and Collection Services team.
• Collect, analyze, and present data from various sources.
• Other Duties As Assigned.

Skills

Discovery systems

Electronic resources

Data analysis

APIs

OpenAthens

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Library/Information Science or related field

Master’s degree in Library/Information Science or related field

Tools

Ex Libris Alma/Primo

ContentDM

Alma-D/Spectro

Job description

POSITION/ROLE OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Assistant Director for Library Systems, the Discovery Systems and Electronic Resources Specialist supports the discovery and access of the library’s resources. The position provides support for electronic resource troubleshooting and discovery services.

This role works closely with other Digital Library and Technical Services teams (Acquisitions, Metadata, and Collection Services) and consults with public services teams to enhance how users find, access, evaluate, and use library, archives, and special collections resources within the primary library catalog and related applications. The position supports the technology that connects faculty and students with library materials.

The position requires strong analytical judgment, systems thinking, documentation skills, and the ability to translate access problems, metadata issues, usage data, and user behavior into practical service improvements. Work will directly contribute to resolving access and discovery challenges, making a meaningful difference for library users on all global New School campuses.

CORE CAPABILITIES, PRIMARY DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary Responsibilities

Discovery & Electronic Resource Support

• Monitor and analyze catalog and electronic resource usage
• Troubleshoot electronic resource access (OpenAthens) and metadata issues
• Recommend and implement discovery and supporting system improvements
• Coordinate with university, consortial, and vendor support departments
• Create and review documentation for library staff
• Facilitate import of new digital collections and secure electronic lending within the discovery interface.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the Libraries, Archives, and other areas of the university
• Enrich and load metadata for electronic/digital library materials in consultation with the Metadata and
• Collection Services team.
• Collect, analyze, and present data from various sources
• Other Duties As Assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree and relevant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience supporting electronic resources, discovery systems, metadata workflows, library systems, scholarly communications, or academic information services.
• Experience with data integrations, APIs, or automated workflows
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, information management, data analytics, educational technology, publishing, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience with Ex Libris Alma/Primo, or comparable library service platforms (Alma / Primo certification as an example).
• Experience with Digital Asset Management systems such as ContentDM or Alma-D/Specto
• Familiarity with specific standards: COUNTER, SUSHI, KBART, and OpenURL
• Ability to read, adapt, or troubleshoot basic scripts (Python and/or JavaScript), structured data, or configuration files in support of library systems and electronic resource workflows.

WORK MODE

This position is primarily in-person and is based on campus to support effective in-person collaboration and engagement with on-campus library patrons and staff.#LI-Onsite

Hybrid work arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the role and operational needs. Any such arrangement must be discussed and approved in advance by the appropriate division lead or their designee.

Tagged as: Alma, Primo