Having just posted a position for Systems Librarian, I too have been wondering a lot about this question. Here, we are faculty librarians and that imbues a certain status (and set of responsibilities, including publishing and service to the institution) that we felt would serve us well. Rightly or wrongly, faculty often respond better to other faculty as opposed to staff. Project management, vision, and library experience were all important to us and that is why we posted at a faculty position, which requires the MLIS.
But our previous Systems Librarian was not faculty, rather, he was at a staff rank and that too was fine--and he managed fine on vision and project management. We knew that as we went forward with the posting, we would eliminate some really well qualified people because they didn't have the degree (which I sometimes refer to as a union card). I attended Access 2011 in Vancouver this Fall and met many, many folks that I know would serve this institution and the profession quite well despite not having the MLIS. But, as I said, we are hiring at a level not so much to reflect the field or abilities of many non-MLISers, but, rather, to reflect our institutional realities and needs.
Hope that helps a bit.
Matt
Matthew Cook
Head of Public Services and Outreach
John Spoor Broome Library
California State University Channel Islands
One University Drive
Camarillo, CA 93012-8599
v 805-437-3653
f 805-437-8569
[log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ethan Gruber
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 1:42 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Job: Head, Digital Projects & Metadata, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University
Interesting point about the flexibility of librarians, but it's certainly possible to be knowledgeable and experienced with information management and developing sophisticated metadata systems without having an MLS. I'm not reflecting on Yale specifically, but many of the job postings that fit into this category that I have seen posted to code4lib over the years require an MLS/MLIS. I think it's fair to ask why this is the case.
Ethan
On Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 4:32 PM, Kimberly Silk < [log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Because we are trained in information management, and many of us
> specialize in management of digital assets. That said, there are many
> other professions that also have these skills and passion for the digital bit.
> Since it's Yale, there is likely an employment agreement that the
> library will hire those with an MLS or equivalent.
>
> Things change slowly in academia - but as librarians explore new
> roles, so should university libraries consider other types of
> professions. There's a lot of cross-over.
>
> Kim
>
> --------------------------------------------
> Kimberly Silk, MLS
> Data Librarian, Martin Prosperity Institute Rotman School of
> Management, University of Toronto
> E: [log in to unmask]
> T: http://twitter.com/kimberlysilk
> Skype: kimberly.silk
>
>
>
> On 2012-02-07, at 4:27 PM, Ethan Gruber wrote:
>
> > Why are MLS degrees always required for these sorts of jobs?
> >
> > Ethan
> >
> > On Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 4:21 PM, <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> >> Yale University offers exciting opportunities for achievement and
> growth in
> >> New Haven, Connecticut. Conveniently located between Boston and New
> York,
> >> New
> >> Haven is the creative capital of Connecticut with cultural
> >> resources
> that
> >> include two major art museums, a critically-acclaimed repertory
> >> theater, state-of-the-art concert hall, and world-renowned schools
> >> of
> Architecture,
> >> Art, Drama, and Music.
> >>
> >> **The University and the Library**
> >> The Yale University Library, as one of the world's leading research
> >> libraries, collects, organizes, preserves, and provides access to
> >> and services for
> a
> >> rich
> >> and unique record of human thought and creativity. It fosters
> intellectual
> >> growth and is a highly valued partner in the teaching and research
> >> missions of Yale University and scholarly communities worldwide. A
> >> distinctive strength is its rich spectrum of resources, including
> >> more than 12.5 million volumes and information in all media,
> >> ranging from ancient papyri to early printed books to electronic
> >> databases. The Library is engaged in numerous digital initiatives
> >> designed to provide access to a full array of scholarly
> >> information. Housed in the Sterling Memorial Library and twenty
> >> school
> and
> >> departmental libraries, it employs a dynamic, diverse, and
> >> innovative staff of over 500who have the opportunity to work with
> >> the highest caliber of faculty and students, participate on
> >> committees, and are involved in other
> areas of
> >> staff development. For additional information on the Yale
> >> University Library, please visit the Library's web site
> >> at[http://www.library.y ale.edu/](http://www.library.yale.edu/).
> >>
> >> **Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library** The Beinecke Library
> >> is Yale's principal repository for literary papers
> and
> >> early manuscripts and rare books. In addition to distinguished
> >> general collections, the library houses the Osborn Collection,
> >> noted for its British and literary and historical manuscripts, and
> >> outstanding special collections devoted to American literature,
> >> German literature, and Western
> Americana.
> >> The
> >> Beinecke's collections include materials ranging from medieval
> manuscripts
> >> to
> >> born-digital electronic records, audio and video. The Beinecke has
> >> undertaken an ambitious digitization program and offers online
> >> access to over
> 150,000
> >> images through its Digital Images Online database, as well as
> >> access to streaming audio and video, and to a host of online
> >> exhibitions and
> digital
> >> projects involving blogs, podcasts, and social-tagging. The
> >> Beinecke is currently engaged in bringing intentionality to the
> >> development of the Library's digital resources and projects, and to
> >> providing responsive
> and
> >> effective services to online users of the Beinecke's materials as
> >> well
> as
> >> thoughtful integration with other digital efforts at Yale. For
> additional
> >> information about the Beinecke Library, visit[
> >> http://www.library.yale.edu/bein
> >> ecke/.](http://www.library.yale.edu/beinecke/)
> >>
> >> **General Purpose**
> >> Under the general direction of the Head of Technical Services and
> working
> >> in
> >> close collaboration with the Head of Technology and Digital Assets,
> >> the Digital Imaging Studio Production Manager, and units across the
> >> Beinecke Library, the Head of Digital Projects & Metadata plays a
> >> leading role in creating, describing, and delivering digitized
> >> resources and in
> exploring,
> >> proposing, and developing innovative tools and services that
> >> improve the ability of scholars, students, and educators to make
> >> use of existing and emerging digital resources.
> >>
> >> **Responsibilities**
> >> The Head of Digital Projects & Metadata is responsible for the
> day-to-day
> >> management of a variety of digital projects and is responsible for
> >> overseeing and creating metadata across a wide range of materials
> >> including manuscripts, photographs, ephemera, art objects, maps,
> >> prints and drawings, books,
> and
> >> other printed material. The Head of Digital Projects & Metadata
> >> provides leadership and technical expertise in the investigation
> >> and application
> of
> >> new
> >> metadata standards; defines input standards; devises quality
> >> control routines; proposes local policies and procedures; maintains
> >> and enhances current metadata infrastructure and practices;
> >> prepares and evaluates material
> for
> >> digital capture; participates in managing the workflow of the
> >> Digital Studio and coordinates and supervises metadata creation by
> >> staff, student assistants, and interns; hires and supervises
> >> Digital Projects & Metadata staff; provides guidance, training,
> >> skill development, and performance evaluation; participates in the
> >> formulation of policies and procedures for the Technical Services
> >> Department. The Head of Digital Projects & Metadata is a
> liaison
> >> to
> >> the Technology and Digital Assets Department and works
> >> collaboratively
> with
> >> other Library staff to develop and employ improved interfaces and
> delivery
> >> tools. The Head of Digital Projects & Metadata represents the
> >> Beinecke
> in
> >> Yale
> >> University Library-wide and nationally, in discussions and
> >> committees pertaining to metadata, cataloging standards, and
> >> digital initiatives
> for
> >> digital library development at Yale, and is active professionally.
> >> May
> be
> >> required to assist with disaster recovery efforts. May be assigned
> >> to
> work
> >> on
> >> West Campus.
> >>
> >> **Qualifications**
> >> MLS from an ALA-accredited library science program. Cataloging
> experience
> >> in a
> >> research or academic library setting, preferably with special
> collections
> >> materials. Demonstrated familiarity with the basic principles and
> standards
> >> for descriptive cataloging of rare printed materials, archival and
> >> manuscript material, or visual materials. Knowledge of established
> >> and emerging metadata schemes (Dublin Core, EAD, EAC-CPF,MODS,
> >> MARC, VRA Core, CDWA), content standards (AACR2, DCRM, DACS, CCO),
> >> and thesauri (LCSH, NAF, AAT, TGM).
> >> Bibliographic knowledge of at least one modern Western European
> language.
> >> Excellent technical aptitude with computer applications such as MS
> >> Excel and MS Access. Experience with library management systems
> >> such as Voyager.
> >> Experience with digital reformatting projects; experience with
> >> project management tools and techniques; demonstrated ability to
> >> use databases
> and
> >> develop functional requirements for them; knowledge of the
> >> principles, standards, and technological framework of digital
> >> preservation; strong commitment to enhancing service through
> >> teamwork and responsiveness to clients and project partners, both
> >> internal and external. Ability to excel in a rapidly changing
> >> environment. Demonstrated ability to work
> collaboratively
> >> across units, organize and coordinate work, handle multiple
> >> projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and be an effective
> >> contributor to a production-oriented, project environment.
> >> Excellent written and oral communication skills. Supervisory
> >> experience required. One year of professional experience required.
> >> For appointment to the rank of
> Librarian
> >> II
> >> requires two years of professional experience and professional
> >> accomplishments. For appointment to the rank of Librarian III
> >> requires
> five
> >> years of professional experience and professional accomplishments.
> >>
> >> **Salary and Benefits**
> >> We invite you to discover the excitement, diversity, rewards and
> >> excellence of a career at Yale University. One of the country's
> >> great workplaces, Yale University offers exciting opportunities for
> >> meaningful accomplishment
> and
> >> true growth. Our benefits package is among the best anywhere, with
> >> a
> wide
> >> variety of insurance choices, liberal paid time off, fantastic
> >> family
> and
> >> educational benefits, a variety of retirement benefits, extensive
> >> recreational facilities, and much more.
> >>
> >> Applications consisting of a cover letter, resume, and the names
> >> and contact information of three professional references should be
> >> sent by creating
> an
> >> account and applying onlineatfor immediate consideration - the
> >> STARS req ID for this position is 15467BR. Please be sure to
> >> reference # 15467BR in your cover letter.
> >>
> >> Background Check Requirements
> >>
> >> All external candidates for employment will be subject to
> >> pre-employment background screening for this position, which may
> >> include motor vehicle
> and
> >> credit checks based on the position description and job requirements.
> >> Internal
> >> candidates may be subject to a motor vehicle or credit check for
> >> this position based on the position description and job
> >> requirements. All offers are contingent on successful completion of
> >> the required background check.
> >>
> >> Please visitfor additional information on the background check
> >> requirements and process.
> >>
> >>
> >> Yale University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
> Yale
> >> values diversity in its faculty, staff, and students and strongly
> >> encourages applications from women and members of underrepresented
> >> minority groups.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Brought to you by code4lib jobs: http://jobs.code4lib.org/job/782/
> >>
>
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