Systems Librarian

Position DescriptionColumbia University Libraries seeks an experienced Systems Librarian to join our Library Infrastructure Systems team. Reporting to the Head of Library Infrastructure Systems, the successful candidate will incorporate the skillsets of a programmer/analyst as well as that of an academic librarian with knowledge of library systems. This role will serve as the technical expert for the library’s integrated library system, currently Voyager. The Systems Librarian will be responsible for maintenance and troubleshooting problems related to the ILS, as well as working toward a migration to a modern system. This position will also work to ensure optimal performance of systems in the Columbia University Libraries environment, including: the Voyager ILS, Blacklight discovery layer, self-hosted EZProxy, ILLiad, BorrowDirect, various digital collection management and archival management services, and other applications.

The Systems Librarian will support the research and learning needs of the University by ensuring that the catalog and related services and systems are properly maintained. The Systems Librarian will ensure University IT policies regarding both systems design and implementation as well as patron privacy and systems security are adhered to.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of this position, and the successful hire will be expected to help make the Libraries’ commitment to these values tangible by having DEI principles and a commitment to anti-racism guide their work.

This role is being hired at the same time as another librarian position in Library Infrastructure Systems.  In addition to this position, we are also recruiting for a Discovery Services Librarian. These positions each have specific areas of expertise, but will work together to provide support for several other library technologies that this department provides.

Responsibilities:

Serve as the technical expert for the library’s Voyager ILS; maintain and enhance its operations as well as applications that support its service.

Provide leadership in solving problems associated with the ILS and other services.

Develop and document internal processes and procedures to support operations within Library Infrastructure Systems.

Monitor industry trends and best practices related to library technology, and recommend improvements to existing tools and workflows as appropriate.

Collaborate with librarians and colleagues across the campus on committees and projects to support library services.

About Columbia University Libraries

We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, identities, and abilities to apply for this unique opportunity to become a part of our evolving Libraries and University community. Columbia University Libraries is a globally-recognized academic research library system, serving one of the world’s most important centers of research and learning in the most exciting and dynamic city in the world. Talented Libraries staff build, sustain, and make discoverable collections that transcend traditional boundaries of format and domain, keeping pace with a dynamic and rapidly evolving information environment and creating opportunities for users to encounter 4,000 years of human thought.

Our decisions are informed by new curricula developed to meet the needs of a more diverse student body, new and emerging areas of research being conducted by a broad spectrum of researchers, including graduate students and newly-hired faculty, as well as by perspectives from the diminished or entirely lost voices of historically oppressed, marginalized, and underserved populations and communities. As an organization, the Libraries provides a supportive, connected environment where every employee’s perspective is valued and every employee is encouraged to grow. All staff members have an impact on Columbia’s mission to advance knowledge at the highest levels and make the results of research accessible to the world.

Columbia University has a longstanding commitment to diversity rooted in values of inclusion and social justice, a commitment reflected in the curriculum and throughout University life. Columbia welcomes applications from candidates who share these values and who will foster their contribution to the University’s educational mission. We invite applicants who have demonstrated creative approaches to empowering and mentoring staff, leading projects, solving problems, and developing user-centric programs, services, or collections.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in Library Science or equivalent combination of education and experience; 3+ years experience with integrated library systems;

Demonstrated experience with integrated library systems, working knowledge of library business processes, and automation;

Familiarity with library metadata standards including MARC and other common library tools;

Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills. Ability to successfully support and communicate with persons at all levels of technical ability.

Excellent organizational analytic, and abstraction skills
Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies and adapt to change.

Demonstrated commitment to and support for an inclusive environment for staff and library users.

Preferred Qualifications:

Progressive experience in technical analysis, enterprise systems deployment, computer systems design, complex system configuration, or technical implementation of library systems and services;

Experience with vendor communication and project management;

Programming experience in support of libraries-related systems and in one or more of: Perl, Python, Ruby, Shell scripting;

Experience with Unix operating environments;

Experience with relational databases and SQL;

Experience with enterprise-level service and technology migrations.

Salary Range:  $74,030 – $84,000

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training.  The above hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.