The research library is undergoing foundational change. Recent years have seen major advances in the understanding of service needs and systems to support them; however, the research library community has not yet transitioned to a shared understanding of how a library and its services are organized in an increasingly networked environment. 

In response to this need, DLF established the DLF Service Framework Working Group in November 2004 to develop a shared understanding of how the research library and its services are organized in an increasingly networked environment.  To further that effort, we are issuing this call for a DLF Distinguished Fellow.

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DLF DISTINGUISHED FELLOW FOR SERVICES FRAMEWORK DEVELOPMENT, 2005-2006

The Digital Library Federation is pleased to announce an opportunity for a librarian, archivist, information technologist, or scholar to pursue their professional development and research interests as a Distinguished Fellow for the emerging DLF Services Framework initiative. 

The DLF Service Framework is an initiative which seeks to understand and communicate the business processes of libraries in the new world of digital information, and relate these to emerging services. Further information is available at http://www.diglib.org/architectures/serviceframe/    

We now want to advance this initiative with dedicated effort. This is a challenging undertaking which involves the ability to think creatively about libraries and their future, which requires a systematic approach, and involves coordination and facilitation among libraries and their partners. The Fellow would work closely with DLF members and an existing Working Group.  Given the importance and complexity of this undertaking we recognize that the required expertise will have to be sourced across the DLF membership, rather than in any single person. For this reason, we would like candidates for this role to explain their special contribution, and 

* BE ACQUAINTED WITH BUSINESS PROCESS MODELING TECHNIQUES. The candidate should be familiar with, or able to become quickly familiar with, current techniques for modeling business processes and services, and able to apply them within the library domain. More generally, the candidate should be comfortable with conceptualizing and modeling techniques. The candidate should also be cognizant of current discussions about service-oriented architectures. An appreciation of developments in the research and learning environments would be an advantage.

* POSSESS LIBRARY DOMAIN EXPERTISE, PARTICULARLY IN REGARD TO DIGITAL LIBRARIES AND DIGITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT. The candidate should be knowledgeable about operations, services, and technologies currently in place in today's libraries, and understand how libraries are evolving in a network environment. The candidate's knowledge base should extend both to the "business side", in terms of understanding the operational (business) requirements associated with the acquisition, management, and delivery of digital resources; and the "technology side", in terms of understanding the technical infrastructure needed to meet these business requirements. 

* BE ABLE TO ENGAGE DLF MEMBER INSTITUTIONS. Project activities will require extensive interaction between the Fellow and staff at various DLF member institutions. The candidate should therefore be willing to travel frequently to DLF member institutions (primarily in the United States), and work closely with staff at these institutions in the course of completing the project. The candidate needs to be a good facilitator, project manager, and coordinator. The Fellow will be an evangelist for this initiative and will represent its interests in cognate activities - for example in the instructional technology space.   

The DLF Program for Distinguished Fellows is open to individuals who have achieved a high level of professional distinction in their fields. The Fellowship, available for up to twelve months, is aimed at a senior professional with well-developed research skills who will benefit significantly from time away from their day-to-day responsibilities. 

The Distinguished Fellow is not required to relocate to Washington, D.C. during their tenure, although the opportunity exists to do so. 

Prospective applicants are encouraged to write a letter to David Seaman, Executive Director of DLF, addressing the points above and the following questions: 

* How does your past work inform your ability to (and interest in) developing the Service Framework?

* For what period of time do you request the Fellowship? 

* What level of funding is required for you to undertake the Fellowship?

In addition, a résumé should be enclosed.  Do feel free to call or email David Seaman to discuss this prior to applying formally.


David Seaman, Executive Director
Digital Library Federation
Council on Library and Information Resources
1755 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
202-939-4762
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http://www.diglib.org/