DIGITAL PRESERVATION LIBRARIAN
SCHOLARLY RESOURCES DIVISION
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

The University Library at the University of Michigan
(http://www.lib.umich.edu/) has been actively building digital
collections for over a decade.  Since 1997 the library’s Digital Library
Production Service (http://www.lib.umich.edu/lit/dlps/) was a pioneer in
developing systems for capture and serving digitized information to the
public and now hosts over a million items from the library’s Web site.
Michigan in 2002 was among the first research libraries to commit to
digitization as a preservation technology, routinely copying brittle
books to digital format for both preservation and access.  Michigan’s
participation in the early Making of America project and recently the
library’s partnership with Google to digitize its collection
(http://www.lib.umich.edu/mdp/) are transforming how scholars can search
and find information, as well as the practice of research and
scholarship.  The library’s groundbreaking Scholarly Publishing Office
(http://spo.umdl.umich.edu/) has joined with academic and other partners
to produce and host scholarly electronic resources since 2000.  In the
span of just two years, the library’s institutional repository, Deep
Blue (http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu), has made over 40,000 items
available in a wide range of formats.  The digital collections receive
support from the Library IT Core Services team
(http://www.lib.umich.edu/lit/cs/), who design and manage the technical
infrastructure to support these collections.

The 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.

Further information may be found at
www.lib.umich.edu/hr/employment/preservation.html

Qualifications

Required:  ALA-accredited masters degree in library or information
studies or equivalent combination of a relevant advanced degree and
experience.  Education in computer or information science desired.
Demonstrated knowledge of the lifecycle management of digital material;
an understanding of issues related to digital formats, media, and
migration is required, along with an aptitude for quickly mastering
technical topics.  Experience working in research collections
(libraries, archives, museums, data centers), with a minimum of 3 years
of progressive experience with digital resources.  Excellent oral and
written communications skills and the ability to work collegially are
essential.

Rank, Salary, and Leave:  Rank is anticipated at Associate, Sr.
Associate, or full Librarian rank.  Final rank and salary are dependent
on qualifications and experience.  Professional positions receive 24
days of vacation a year & 15 days of sick leave a year with provisions
for extended benefits as well as opportunities for professional
development and travel.

Retirement:  TIAA/CREF or Fidelity Investments

To Apply:  Send cover letter and copy of résumé to Library Human
Resources; 404 Hatcher Graduate Library North; University of Michigan;
Ann Arbor, MI  48109-1205 or by email to:  [log in to unmask]   Contact
(734) 764-2546 for further information.

Application Deadline:  Review of applications will begin on 3/15/08 and
continue until the position is filled.  

The University of Michigan is a non-discriminatory, affirmative action
employer.