Position Description

Benetech (http://www.benetech.org/ ) has a unique and exciting opportunity for a Librarian for Bookshare.org, the world's largest collection of digital electronic books for the blind and print disabled.  Benetech was founded in 1989 with an explicit goal to create new technology solutions that serve humanity and empower people to improve their lives.  Led by Jim Fruchterman, a leading social entrepreneur and MacArthur Fellow, Benetech’s mission is to lead the world in creative, effective applications of technology to unmet social needs.  We focus on projects that offer the greatest social return on funds invested.

In 2007 Benetech was awarded $32 million by the Federal Government to expand Bookshare.org’s online collection to over 100,000 additional volumes in support of all print-disabled students nationwide. Currently, the Bookshare.org library contains over 39,000 volumes. The librarian for Bookshare.org will shepherd the collection through its growth as one of the nation's foremost educational resources for disabled students in this country. This is a technical position and ideal for someone interested in the challenge of devising and implementing a cutting edge on-line cataloging scheme that meets the needs of a specialized population while maintaining standard library interfaces.

This position is full time, onsite in Palo Alto, California and reports to the Director of Operations for Bookshare.org.  Resumes from candidates requesting 30/hrs week will be considered.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Select an appropriate classification schema for the collection based on several key criteria including compatibility with other accessible collections
• Reclassify the books in the collection according to the new schema
• Enable and coordinate cross-referencing with other collections of accessible books
• Create and implement a collection acquisition plan for growing the collection
• Liaison with professional library associations such as the ALA, IFLA and DAISY
• Work effectively with all departments within Bookshare.org (Collection Development, Publisher Liaison, Partner Programs, etc.) to maintain the quality and integrity of the collection.

Qualifications

• A degree in library science is required and 5+ years in Library and Information Management with an emphasis on utilization of Information technologies.
• Technical expertise with metadata technology, such as Dublin Core, used to describe and classify books in an online digital collection is required
• Very strong professional interpersonal skills and the ability to represent Bookshare.org's interests to a wide variety of stakeholders
• Ability to work well independently and within a multi-disciplinary team environment with high standards, integrity and a sense of humor

• Management experience is a plus

• Experience working with school libraries at the K-12 or university level is highly desirable
• Knowledge of the assistive technology field with emphasis on tools and technology for access to printed materials is a definite plus.

If you would like to help us grow Benetech, please send your resume and a cover letter to [log in to unmask] or Human Resources at 650/475-1066 (fax). In your cover letter, please (a) explain why you would like to work for us and (b) discuss your relevant background.

Salaries at Benetech are commensurate with education, experience and responsibility, and are competitive with private-sector positions.