Interested in helping to launch a large-scale digital public library in the
United States? Excited about the future of online access to information? Want
to collaborate closely with innovative partners in public and research
libraries, government, publishing, and elsewhere? Look no further! The Berkman
Center seeks a part-time Research Assistant for the[ Digital Public Library of
America](http://dp.la) (DPLA) planning initiative.

  
The DPLA planning initiative is bringing together representatives from public
and research libraries, the educational community, cultural organizations,
state and local government, publishers, authors, and private industry in a
series of meetings and workshops to examine strategies for improving public
access to comprehensive online resources.

  
**Position Responsibilities:**  
The Research Assistant's primary responsibilities will be to support the DPLA
Secretariat, which includes working with Berkman staff members to conduct
research related to digital library users, content, governance, funding, and
related issues; staying abreast of developments in the digital library field
(including news related to e-publishing, copyright, linked open data, and
other areas); blogging regularly on these issues; and contributing to the DPLA
wiki and website. The RAs will also assist with preparations for the DPLA
plenary meeting in October 2012 and occasional workshops, including
opportunities to create related multimedia. This position represents an ideal
opportunity for those interested in digital humanities, intellectual property
issues, and access to knowledge and information.

  
**The Research Assistant will have the opportunity to:**  
* Boost his or her research credentials;  
* Creatively bridge research and practice;  
* Become a key member of the Digital Public Library of America team;  
* Participate in the greater Berkman Center community and engage in ongoing dynamic conversations at the forefront of thought on technology and society.  
  
**Required education, experience, and skills:**  
* Advanced writing and editing skills, with the ability to quickly draft and contextualize written materials within the suite of the project outputs;  
* Excellent critical reading comprehension, with the ability to absorb material quickly;  
* Attention to detail;  
* Familiarity with common social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube;  
* Prior wiki and HTML editing experience or a willingness to learn.  
  
**Additional skills/interests helpful for this position:**  
* Expertise in fields such as digital humanities, library and information science, law, or journalism;  
* Media production, including experience recording and/or editing audio and/or video;  
* Prior blogging experience;  
* Familiarity with WordPress.  
  
**Time Commitment & Payment:**  
RAs work approximately 8 - 12 hours per week. Compensation is the standard
Harvard RA/intern rate of $11.50/hour. No other benefits are provided. This
position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and remote participation is not
possible for this opportunity. The start date is September 10, 2012, or as
soon as possible.

  
**To apply:**  
Please send your current CV or resume and a cover letter summarizing your
interest and experience to the DPLA Secretariat at
dpla[at]cyber.law.harvard.edu with "Application for DPLA RA" in the subject
line.



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