User Experience Librarian

The User Experience Librarian leads Paul V. Galvin Library's efforts to assess and improve the effectiveness, consistency, and accessibility of digital sites and services. The User Experience Librarian collaborates closely with librarians and technical staff to promote new models for web development and design and implement best practices for digital content and services. This position also works with, supports, and advocates for the needs of the diverse community of faculty, staff, and student users of the Paul V. Galvin Library. As a liaison to academic units on campus, this position provides research and instructional services to Illinois Tech faculty and students.

Key Responsibilities :

• Oversee and maintain the Galvin Library website and its content. Support evolving user-centered services informed by current User Experience best practices. Manage a distributed workflow for updating and maintaining the content and design of the library's website. (Percentage Of Time= 25%)
• In collaboration with other members of the library's Digital Initiatives Group and other library and university committees and working groups, design, organize, and plan projects that create new digital content for the library and university or create new means of accessing or contextualizing existing content, including user-facing support resources, digital collections and exhibits, research guides, open scholarship platforms, discovery tools, and other digital library services. (Percentage Of Time= 20%)
• Serve as the liaison to assigned university academic departments. Actively participate in relevant campus and professional activities while working to maintain good relationships with library stakeholders. Assist library patrons as well as colleagues with the provision of services outlined in the Liaison Duties Addendum document. (Percentage Of Time= 20%)
• Evaluate the use, usability, and accessibility of the Galvin Library's digital sites and services, preparing narrative and statistical reports to communicate these findings. Recommend improvements to digital services, website development, and program content, and maintain relationships with providers of digital library services. (Percentage Of Time= 15%)
• Participate with colleagues in the Library Technology Group in departmental initiatives related to planning, support, documentation, and renovation of library technology and systems. (Percentage Of Time= 10%)
• Other duties as assigned. (Percentage Of Time= 10%)

Potential for hybrid work arrangement of up to 40% offsite 60% onsite may be available.

Requirements

Education & Experience

An MLS from an ALA-accredited library school, and a bachelor's or higher degree in computer science, information technology, or equivalent experience in web development. Two years experience in an academic library environment or web communications and marketing is preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

Ability to maintain an atmosphere conducive to job productivity and satisfaction where team goals are aligned to meet library objectives. Ability to establish efficient, realistic plans that clearly convey the mission and philosophy of the university and the library; set priorities; and communicate, share, evaluate and measure plans. Ability to experiment, take risks, and accept responsibility for outcomes; monitor and analyze current trends; exercise creativity; and participate actively in the profession. Maintain a service attitude that improves user perceptions and participate in campus activities.

Demonstration of a high level of understanding of librarianship and the information industry. Experience in the use of technology to enhance learning and facilitate scholarship. Experience in the assessment of technology with respect to user needs, including web usability testing. Experience with relevant software and technology. Experience with Drupal, Islandora, and other open source platforms preferred. Demonstrated knowledge of principles of web design and accessibility (hands-on experience with CSS, SCSS, HTML, or PHP preferred). Familiarity with W3C standards, and cross-browser and platform compatibility issues. Broad understanding of the application of information technologies in the academic library and commitment to open-source technologies. Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills, initiative, flexibility, ability to work creatively, and quickly adapt to and learn new methods of seeking information. A commitment to providing services to a diverse user population.

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