Job Posting: Head of Discovery Services Librarian

[Silvia Southwick]

POSITION TITLE

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas invites applications for a Head of 
Discovery Services Librarian. 

PROFILE of the UNIVERSITY







UNLV is a comprehensive research university of approximately 28,000 
students and 3,300 faculty and staff dedicated to teaching, research, and 
service. The university has internationally recognized programs in hotel 
administration and creative writing; professional degrees in law, 
architecture, and dental medicine; and leading programs in fine arts, 
sciences and education. UNLV is located on a 332-acre main campus and two 
satellite campuses in dynamic Southern Nevada.  For more information, 
visit us on-line at:   http://www.unlv.edu.

ROLE of the
POSITION







The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Libraries seeks innovative, 
collaborative, user-focused applicants for a newly created Head of 
Discovery Services Librarian position. This leadership position will join 
the Logistics & Resources Distribution Services (LRDS) Division which 
encompasses most but not all of the Libraries functions of collection and 
content management, access and delivery of resources, and bibliographic 
and metadata services.  The LRDS Division has successfully implemented 
Lean over the past two years to fulfill the management functions necessary 
to measure and evaluate process performance.  Staff and librarians are 
knowledgeable, innovative, and empowered to work together in teams to 
solve problems and continuously improve existing and newly developed 
processes and services that are focused on providing value to a wide range 
of customers. 

Reporting to the Director of Logistics & Resources Distribution Services 
and together with the Head of Collections (Access), this position will 
co-manage LRDS a division-wide staff of 20+, focusing on the Discovery 
aspects of the Division’s work.  The incumbent will continue to develop a 
new ‘technical services’ paradigm through the supervision of staff and 
librarians involved with the cataloging/metadata workflows that enhance 
discovery and access of print and electronic resources, regardless of 
ownership, but always keeping the end-user in mind. This work requires 
collaboration with others across the organization engaged in related 
challenges.

Responsibilities include contributing to leadership and vision in the 
design of a comprehensive, future-oriented approach to making library 
collections (and other materials) accessible regardless of system(s). This 
will involve working across divisions to collaboratively develop and 
coordinate the various cataloging/metadata related workflows that 
facilitate ubiquitous access and discovery and continuously evaluate the 
Libraries’ online resource discovery environment.  This position, with a 
strong background in MARC record management and familiarity with non-MARC 
standards will also contribute to the library-wide effort to research next 
generation ILS / Library Services Platforms. This position will facilitate 
the MARC metadata ‘clean up’ associated with significant print collection 
migrations.

The successful candidate is expected to work collegially and to build 
partnerships within the Libraries and on campus; engage in scholarly 
activities; and provide service to the university, the community, and the 
profession in accordance with the Libraries and Universities standards for 
promotion and tenure. 

As a strong partner in student learning, UNLV Libraries fosters critical 
thinking and lifelong learning with innovative services, entrepreneurial 
staff, over one million volumes, outstanding digital collections, 
up-to-date technology and internationally renowned Special Collections in 
four modern, flexible facilities. We are an organization committed to 
continuous improvement as informed by data and other evidence collected 
through review processes such as Lean as well as a wide range of other 
organizational assessments. We welcome individuals with diverse 
backgrounds to join our growing organization of over 100 experienced 
faculty librarians and staff members supporting teaching, learning, 
research and creative endeavors at one of the nation’s fastest growing 
universities. 

For more information, please visit http://www.library.unlv.edu/employment
QUALIFICATIONS

Required: 
A master's degree from a program accredited by the American Library 
Association. Knowledge of next-gen information discovery systems and 
application of linked data and semantic web technologies.  Knowledge of 
current and emerging models and tools used by libraries for resource 
discovery.  Experience working with and transforming catalog data/MARC; 
familiarity with Dublin Core and non-MARC metadata; demonstrated ability 
to initiate, plan, coordinate, and implement complex projects and 
services; evidence of a commitment to and experience with methods of 
gathering evidence to improve workflows and systems for our users. Within 
LRDS, the ability to supervise and work with people, bringing them into a 
new ‘technical services’/information paradigm – someone who can 
communicate effectively, and inspire action.

Preferred: Knowledge of operating systems, database design, software 
development and applications related to library services, including mobile 
technologies.  Prior experience with process improvement methodologies and 
assessment practices, i.e., Lean, Six Sigma, TQM. Prior experience with 
next-gen information discovery systems

SALARY RANGE
This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track position at Rank II or III 
(equivalent to an Assistant Professor or Associate Professor). Salaries 
are competitive and dependent upon labor market. Position is contingent 
upon funding. 

APPLICATION 
DETAILS



Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and 
experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least 
three professional references who may be contacted. Applicants should 
fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific 
reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this 
is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based. 
The review of materials will begin at the end of April, and will continue 
until the position is filled. Materials should be addressed to, Head of 
Discovery Services Librarian Search Committee Chair, and are to be 
submitted via on-line application at https://hrsearch.unlv.edu.  For 
assistance with UNLV’s on-line applicant portal, contact UNLV Employment 
Services at (702) 895-2894 or hrsearch at unlv.edu.


Silvia Barcellos Southwick
Digital Collections Metadata Librarian, UNLV Libraries
Phone: 702-895-2146
e-mail: silvia.southwick at unlv.edu
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