[Web4lib] Position: Head, Library Systems and IT

[David Fox]

Head, Library Systems and Information Technology
Tenure-Track Position

The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) Library (library.usask.ca) is seeking to appoint
a candidate to a tenure-track faculty position to add to its complement of Librarians. The
Library Standards for Tenure and Promotion requires participation in research and
scholarly activities as a component of the Practice of Professional Skills. Appointment is
subject to a probationary period of three to five years and specific duties are assigned by
the Dean of the Library. Librarians and archivists are members of the U of S Faculty
Association.

Accountabilities of the position:
Reporting to the Assistant Dean of the Library, the incumbent is accountable for:

Operations
. Managing the effective implementation of change and new system and
technology products and services
. Effective deployment of resources assigned to Library Systems & Information Technology (LS&IT)
. Ensuring that policies and procedures for the effective delivery of library systems
and IT services are in place, understood by staff and applied in day-to-day
operations
. Identification and reporting of key success measures for the library systems and
IT services
. Ensuring effective systems integration with University applications

Planning
. Contributing to the Library's Strategic Planning Process, through the
development of a unit plan, aligned with the Library Strategic Plan
. Planning and advocacy for IT infrastructure renewal and expansion

Development and Innovation
. Leadership in the development and effective delivery of new and existing
systems and technology services across the Library
. Leadership and contribution of technical expertise to projects and priority areas
as identified in the Library Strategic Plan

Human Resources
. Effective management and deployment of the LS&IT staff, including mentoring,
career development and training, performance assessment, and providing
feedback and coaching to staff reporting to this position

Networking
. Relationship building and links to institutional partners such as University
Information Technology Services
. Representing the Assistant Dean at appropriate meetings/forums within the
Library and campus-wide; chairing and participating in Library committees,
working groups and special projects
. Representing the Library at local, regional, and national systems and information
technology venues

Research
. Engaging in research and scholarly work within a formal programme of research

Desired Qualifications, Experience and Competencies
A Masters of Library Science or equivalent degree from a university/institution
recognized by the University of Saskatchewan is required.

Candidates should also possess:
. A vision for the future development of library systems and IT, which incorporates
awareness of trends in standards, protocols, service developments and emerging
technologies and identifies and analyzes potential for local application and
implementations
. Previous experience leading high volume IT operational, programming and
project development environments
. A successful record as a leader, manager, and mentor during times of
technological change
. A strong commitment to communication and quality client services
. A commitment to continuing development of professional knowledge and skills
. Strong project management skills applied across various library functional groups
. A proven record of success working in multi-level, multi-functional teams
. Demonstrated capability for dealing with complexity and ambiguity

Technical Skills/Knowledge:
. An understanding of information architecture, interface design and usability for
information delivery
. Experience with current and emerging communication standards, such as HTML,
XML, and OAI/PMH
. Familiarity with SOA and modular service design
. Familiarity with agile and iterative development protocols
. Familiarity with user contribution and Web 2.0 feature set
. Experience extracting, creating, and manipulating metadata using existing and
developing standards, such as MARC, Dublin Core, EAD, METS, and MODS
. Knowledge or experience of search, indexing and representational environments
and technologies, including semantic web, faceting, cross-domain searching, and
the related technologies
. Knowledge of digital library and repository technologies (DSpace, Fedora,
Greenstone, etc.) and current initiatives in ILS development
. Formal project management training, including requirements gathering and
definition
. Working knowledge of Unix/Linux and Windows operating systems,
. Familiarity with the Innovative Interfaces/Millennium library system would be
desirable
. Knowledge of object oriented and scripting languages would be an asset

The position is available immediately. Salary and rank will be commensurate with
qualifications and experience up to the rank of Librarian III. Salary scales for Librarians
are located at library.usask.ca/employment/. This assignment contains administrative
responsibility which attracts an administrative stipend. Librarians at the U of S enjoy an
excellent benefits plan as well as research start-up support.

About the University of Saskatchewan Library
The U of S Library is one of Canada's leading research libraries and is a member of the
Association of Research Libraries and the Canadian Association of Research Libraries.
The Library's 150 FTE faculty and staff serve over 27,000 U of S faculty, staff and
students from seven campus locations, and offer an extensive array of electronic
information services. The automated library information systems support includes all
core modules of the III Millennium integrated library system as well as a wide variety of
networked and stand-alone bibliographic and full-text databases and numeric files. The
Library Systems and Information Technology (LS&IT) unit consists of 2
programmer/analysts, 1 programmer, 2 technicians, 3 operations specialists,
an information systems manager, and a systems librarian. The systems librarian reports
to the Assistant Dean. The unit hosts one of the largest computer centers on campus
operating 3 Unix, 2 Linux, and 5 Windows servers, and supports over 500 networked
desktop computers allocated for Library patron and staff use.

The Library Strategic Plan (2007-2012) sets an ambitious program for the transformation
of library resources, facilities and services, designed to ensure the Library's continued
growth and development over the course of the University's second century of
development. The Murray Library is undergoing renovations to transform its usercentered
space to create the Learning Commons - a collaborative initiative of the
Library, the University Learning Centre, and Information Technology Services. The
facility will house services for student success, research and learning reference support,
computer workstations, group study rooms, community service learning, comfortable
seating areas and a café, all within a technology-rich environment. Two other major
initiatives currently underway include the establishment of a Statistics Canada Research
Data Centre (RDC) in the Murray Library, and the construction of a new, state-of-the-art
health sciences facility which will house a new Academic Health Sciences Library.

About the University of Saskatchewan and the City of Saskatoon
Celebrating its centenary in 2007, the University of Saskatchewan (usask.ca) is one of
the leading medical-doctoral universities in Canada. Its Strategic Directions and
Integrated Plan outline a vision focused on international standards in all activities,
academic pre-eminence, and a sense of place. The opening of a Canadian Light Source
synchrotron, the first-ever appointment of a Library Dean in Canada, host site for the
2006 Vanier Cup, construction for an International Vaccine Centre, the establishment of
new graduate Schools of Public Health, Public Policy, and Environment and
Sustainability, and significant capital building projects to revitalize Law, Veterinary
Medicine, Health Sciences and Library buildings on campus are just some of the
University's recent achievements. The University also boasts one of the most attractive
campuses in the country.

Saskatoon, a city of approximately 207,000, is situated on the banks of the South
Saskatchewan River, which is crossed by seven bridges within the city limits. The city
offers a scenic riverbank, many parks, a diverse and thriving economic base, a vibrant
cultural community, affordable living, and a high quality of life (saskatoon.ca).

To Apply: The Search Committee comprises all Librarians holding probationary or
tenured appointments within the Library. The CVs of all applicants will be made available
in confidence to the Search Committee. Applicants wishing to apply should send their
curriculum vitae, the names of three references, and a statement outlining their
knowledge, experience, and abilities related to the position by November 22, 2007 to:

    Jill Mierke, Human Resources Manager
    University of Saskatchewan Library
    Murray Library
    University of Saskatchewan
    Room 156 Murray Building
    3 Campus Drive
    Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A4
    Fax: 306-966-5932
    Email: library.jobs at usask.ca

Confidential inquiries can be directed to Dr. Vicki Williamson, Dean
Email: vicki.williamson at usask.ca or telephone 306-966-5942

Interviews for this opportunity are expected to be conducted in late January 2008.


All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be
given priority. The University is committed to Employment Equity. Members of Designated Groups (women,
aboriginal people, people with disabilities and visible minorities) are encouraged to self-identify on their
applications.