Position Opportunity: Digital Archivist Librarian, University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky Libraries

Digital Archivist Librarian

Recently embarking on a historic $2.1 billion comprehensive campaign, the University of Kentucky set an ambitious path to be a destination for students, scholars, and healthcare providers to forge new discoveries and arrive at world-class outcomes. University of Kentucky Libraries is vital to fulfilling the goals of enhancing and expanding the university’s research enterprise, and we are looking for a faculty librarian to lead efforts and provide expertise on digital collection management. Reporting to the Director for Manuscript Collections in the Special Collections Research Center (SCRC), the Digital Archivist Librarian will oversee digital curation efforts, especially in regards to born-digital accessioning and digital preservation. The position will also lead web and social media archiving initiatives using Archive-It and other tools. The Digital Archivist will participate in description initiatives, establish internal workflows and policies, maintain documentation, and ensure adherence to national standards and best practices. There is potential growth for the position to explore, test, and implement new technologies to improve access and use of digital primary resources, including artificial intelligence tools.

The University of Kentucky Libraries guiding principle is Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. This principle informs all aspects of our work and requires all library personnel to actively consider and address barriers that permeate institutional structures and systems. Viewing our work through this EDI lens, we are committed to building collections, enhancing services, and providing spaces that reflect and support individuals with diverse perspectives and abilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Develop, implement, and manage curation and preservation workflows and tools for digital collections.

· Lead, research, and conduct archiving efforts for websites, social media, and other web-based content.

· Work with SCRC, Digital Strategies and Technology, and others to update and improve digital curation policies and practices. Conduct routine digital preservation activities.

· Train UKL employees and students on digital preservation, digital curation, and web archiving workflows and practices.

· Use national description and metadata standards as well as BitCurator, Archive-It, ArchivesSpace, and other tools to appraise, accession, process, describe, and provide access to primary source digital content acquired by SCRC.

· Curate primary source datasets in line with SCRC collecting policies to meet researcher needs. Explore partnerships with researchers to build primary source datasets. Collaborate with Digital Scholarship & Data to assist researchers in data analysis.

· Provide public services to researchers and university community members.

As a member of the UKL faculty, the Digital Archivist Librarian participates in planning, shared governance, and UK Libraries-wide faculty activities. This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure eligible position in the Librarian Title Series (open rank) which requires scholarship, professional development, and service that contributes to the effectiveness of UK Libraries, the university, and the profession as outlined in Administrative Regulation 2:7 (https://www.uky.edu/regs/ar2-7). Your Distribution of Effort (DOE) range: Primary assignment: 70-80%, Service/Prof. development and scholarship 20-30% and is reviewed at minimum annually each year. Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. The minimum salary for a Librarian IV is $57,000 and for a Librarian III is $62,500.

Required Qualifications:

· ALA-accredited graduate degree in Library and Information Science or advanced degree in a comparable field from an accredited institution

· Knowledge of national archival theory, standards, and practices as well as foundational digital curation and/or digital preservation management principles and best practices

· Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new skills and tools; evidence of ongoing, self-directed learning

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both oral and written

· Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion

· Ability to meet the requirements of a tenure-track position through research, publication, presentation, and professional service

Preferred Qualifications:

· Work-related experience in an academic or research library

· Demonstrated experience with implementation and use of digital tools, methods, and approaches utilized in digital preservation and/or curation.

· Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and creativity to manage projects both independently and as part of a team in a dynamic work environment

· Record of scholarship, teaching, and/or active membership in professional associations

Position is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track eligible position. All career levels are encouraged to apply. The University of Kentucky is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring all our students, faculty, and staff work in an environment of openness and acceptance. We strive to foster a community where people of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives can feel secure and welcome. We also value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus. Recently recognized as one of the best employers in higher education by The Chronicle of Higher Education and ranked among America’s Best Employers and Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes Magazine, the University of Kentucky strives to create an environment where all staff and faculty are embraced and supported. Employees are offered a wide array of excellent benefit options and more information is available at: www.uky.edu/HR/benefits. Library tenure-track faculty are also eligible to receive a generous relocation allowance, start-up funding for research, and annual professional development/travel funds.