University Librarian - Digital Resources

Placements24; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Collaborative environment

Access to library conferences

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an innovative University Librarian to lead the Digital Resources department in Paarl. The role focuses on managing, developing, and promoting the library's digital collections and services for the university community.

You will oversee acquisition, access, and licensing of electronic databases, journals, e-books, and other digital assets, collaborating with faculty and IT, supervising staff, and shaping strategic digital scholarship initiatives.

Qualifications

• MLS or equivalent from an ALA-accredited program.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in academic libraries with a focus on digital resources.
• Expertise in ERMS, discovery layers, and database licensing.
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee acquisition, licensing, and budgeting for digital library resources.
• Develop strategies for discovery, access, and use of electronic collections.
• Provide expert research support and instruction on digital resources.
• Collaborate with faculty and IT on digital scholarship initiatives and online learning.
• Supervise and mentor staff in digital resource management.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Education

MLS (Master's in Library Science) from an ALA-accredited program

Tools

ERMS

Discovery layers

Database licensing

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative and experienced University Librarian to lead their Digital Resources department in Paarl . This leadership role is essential for managing, developing, and promoting the library's extensive digital collections and services. You will oversee the acquisition, organization, and access of electronic databases, journals, e-books, and other digital assets, ensuring they meet the evolving research and learning needs of the university community. This position offers a significant opportunity to shape the future of library services within a vibrant academic institution, contributing to scholarly research and knowledge dissemination in Paarl .

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the acquisition, licensing, and budget for all digital library resources.
• Develop and implement strategies for the discovery, access, and use of electronic collections.
• Provide expert research support and instruction on utilizing digital resources effectively.
• Collaborate with faculty and IT departments on digital scholarship initiatives and online learning platforms.
• Supervise and mentor a team of library staff dedicated to digital resource management and support.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Library Science (MLS) or equivalent from an ALA-accredited program.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in academic library settings, with a focus on digital resource management .
• Demonstrated expertise in electronic resource management systems (ERMS), discovery layers, and database licensing .
• Strong understanding of scholarly communication, copyright, and open access principles.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to lead a critical library function and influence institutional strategy.
• Access to professional development opportunities and library conferences.
• Collaborative work environment with dedicated library and IT support staff.
• Contribution to fostering research and learning within a reputable academic institution.