Description
Libraries and Cultural Resources at the University of Calgary invites applications for a Digital Preservation Librarian, at the rank of Assistant or Associate Librarian to facilitate long-term preservation of digitized and born-digital materials. This is tenure track appointment with an anticipated start date of June 1, 2025.
Libraries and Cultural Resources (LCR) is a leader in the development of innovative information resources and services, locally, nationally and internationally. In a converged environment, it successfully incorporates the resources and services of libraries, institutional and research archives, rare books and special collections, art galleries, and a university press to provide outstanding support for scholarship, learning, and the creation of knowledge.
Reporting to the Acting Associate University Librarian, Collections, Content Services & Research Support through the Director, Digital Services, the Digital Preservation librarian will play a central role in managing a digital preservation program and is responsible for creating and maintaining policies, procedures, workflows, and strategies related to digital preservation projects and practices. The incumbent will facilitate access and long-term preservation to digitized and born-digital materials, work with stakeholders across LCR and the University to assess, develop and enhance preservation services, and optimize workflows.
As an academic staff position, appropriate participation and involvement in scholarship, teaching and service is expected.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the development, documentation, implementation and maintenance of guidelines and standards for digital preservation including: a digital preservation plan, digital preservation guidelines, workflows and documentation, and an archival storage plan.
- Work with subject experts on campus and in LCR specifically to identify and develop strategic projects and priorities for the preservation program.
- With Library Technology, support the implementation of appropriate storage strategy and environments for preservation and access and monitor preservation storage environments.
- Administer the digital preservation management system.
- Create training materials and train staff on preservation system usage.
- With subject experts in LCR, implement and manage metadata for digital preservation.
- Coordinate a working group on digital preservation.
- Advocate for the digital preservation program within LCR and with the University at large.
- Provide education and outreach to LCR units about the value of and need for digital preservation practice throughout an asset's lifecycle.
- Advise and assist faculty, researchers and students on projects that require digital preservation strategies.
- Participate in local, regional and national digital preservation initiatives and projects.
Required Qualifications
- ALA-accredited MLIS degree.
- Familiarity with the practical application of the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) reference model.
- Familiarity with the operation of digital preservation repository systems
- Familiarity with XML, including schemas used in preservation such as METS and PREMIS.
- Demonstrated project management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English.
- Interest in leading change in complex organizations.
- Demonstrated affinity for learning and troubleshooting library technologies.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with the management, digitization, and preservation of born digital and digitized materials.
- Experience developing and promoting new service areas or programs.
- Ability to think independently and work collaboratively within and across organizational boundaries in order to achieve shared goals.
- Experience working with vendors to implement, assess, and manage technical systems.
- Familiarity with library systems used as information and asset repositories.
Position will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, at the rank of Assistant or Associate Librarian. Appointment at the rank of Assistant Librarian normally requires evidence or promise of the ability to meet the challenges of an academic appointment at a research-intensive university, including professional practice, research, and service. Appointment at the rank of Associate Librarian normally requires three to five years of progressively responsible professional experience relating to digital preservation at an academic research library or equivalent.
Application Procedure
Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application online via the "Apply Now" link. Please submit a letter of application addressing background and experience relevant to the position, a current curriculum vitae and the contact information for three professional references, in one PDF.
Consideration of applications will begin after April 1, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.
For further information, please contact:
Christie Hurrell, MA, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Acting Associate University Librarian, Collections, Content Services & Research Support
Libraries and Cultural Resources
University of Calgary
achurrel@ucalgary.ca
403-210-6103
Business and Work Location: 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments(equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)
For a listing of all academic opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Academic Careers website. For more information about the Libraries and Cultural Resources, click here.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
About Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.
