[Web4lib] Position available: Digital Preservation Librarian, Univ of Michigan

[Willett, Perry]

(Apologies for cross-posting)

The University of Michigan University Library seeks a Digital
Preservation Librarian to provide leadership and coordinate the
library's activities to preserve these growing collections.  The Digital
Preservation Librarian will report to the head of the Department of
Preservation and Conservation in the library's newly-formed Scholarly
Resources division.  

The Digital Preservation Librarian will:
* Propose, plan, and develop a digital preservation program for
University Library collections of enduring value in digital format:
review existing Library practices and analyze needs; establish policies
and best practices for the long-term protection and access to digital
materials of all types, both created by or acquired by the Library,
including text, images, data, audio-visual resources, Web pages, and
ephemera.  Working closely with staff in Library IT Core Services,
Digital Library Production Services, the Scholarly Publishing Office,
Deep Blue, Preservation, and other library units, the Digital
Preservation Specialist will implement, monitor, and maintain the
digital preservation program.  The Digital Preservation Librarian will
assume a key role in the creation and development of a trustworthy
multi-institutional shared repository of digital resources.
* Assist in the ongoing development of requirements and specifications,
including formats and metadata, for digital material the library
solicits, accepts, or purchases into its collections, and advise both
library staff and external content creators on strategies and the
practical implementation of those specifications. 
* Advise library staff and digital initiatives on all phases of the life
cycle of digital content with the aim of long-term retention and access;
provide training or orientations.  Represent and champion digital
preservation interests across the library, the university, and to the
community at large. 
* Prepare proposals for external funding for digital preservation
projects.  Prepare specifications for vended services that support the
digital preservation program; evaluate responses to proposals for such
services and make recommendations for selecting vendors; and act on
behalf of the library as a technical liaison on preservation issues to
vendors providing digital materials.  Represent the University Library
in cooperative projects or programs in digital preservation.
* Research and advise the library on contingency plans against threats
to the digital collections, such as industry changes to file formats,
natural disaster, and security breaches.
* Stay current on developing technologies, standards, and practice in
preservation of digital collections; recommend responses to these
developments through periodic alerts, summaries, reports, and revisions
to policies and procedures.  Represent the University Library in forums
on digital preservation at the campus, regional, national, or
international level.

Review of applications will begin on March 15, 2008 and continue until
the position is filled.

A complete position description with list of qualifications and
instructions for applying may be found at:
http://www.lib.umich.edu/hr/employment/preservation.html