The New York Botanical Garden seeks a creative and collaborative individual for the Systems, Digitization & Web Services Librarian position at the LuEsther T. Mertz Library.

The Mertz Library collects and preserves works of merit in botany, horticulture, and landscape design. The Library provides high-quality resources and services to meet the needs of the Garden's research staff, botanists, horticulturists, and graduate students as well as scientific, scholarly, and artistic communities worldwide. The Library is open to the public and supports diverse research, instructional, and outreach programs and develops strategic partnerships that advance research and promote new methods of providing access to an ever-expanding variety of information resources. The Mertz Library was among the first libraries in the country to undertake large scale digitization, and is one of the founding members of the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL).

The Systems, Digitization & Web Services Librarian provides leadership and expertise for the Library on existing and emerging technologies to enhance the operation and services, anticipating future trends in an evolving information environment. Also participates in decision and policy making, and participates in and provides expertise for collaborative partnerships with NYBG stakeholders and the broader natural history collections community.

Additionally, this position supports, through actions and conduct, NYBG’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility initiatives and helps to build and maintain an inclusive organization culture throughout the institution.

Basic Job Functions

In a team- and service-oriented environment, the Systems, Digitization & Web Services Librarian manages the day-to-day technical support as well as the lifecycle of the Mertz Library’s systems, applications, hardware and web services including the library’s online catalog (OPAC), the digital asset management systems, and open-source information and collections management applications; coordinates the planning, evaluation and implementation of the Library’s electronic resources including the integrated library system (ILS), document delivery, discovery tools, and other library functions; recommends, configures, and provides support for new and emerging technologies and processes; develops and employs strategies to enhance the Library’s operation and services. The Librarian also manages the Library’s Digitization Program by developing and managing large digitization projects; developing and implementing workflow for digital curation, and maintaining best practices.

This position acts as the primary liaison with technology vendors, NYBG’s IT department and the Steere Herbarium’s Biodiversity Information Team.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

1. Manages, implements, and troubleshoots systems for optimal performance, usability and accessibility.
2. Works with the Library staff and other stakeholders to develop a multi-year plan for the Library’s information technology and web services.
3. Collects statistics for systems usage to assist with resource allocation, identify trends, improve metadata descriptions and gap analysis.
4. Works with the IT Department, Library staff, and vendors to maintain the Library’s systems and services.
5. Planning, installation, and implementation for new software applications.
6. Collaborates in the development, creation, promotion and assessment of Library Systems policies, procedures and best practices.
7. Works with Library staff to develop and manage grant-funded digitization initiatives.
8. Manages digital curation for long-term preservation and access of Mertz Library’s digital assets
9. Participates in BHL staff conference calls and website administration through back-end maintenance using Portal Editing functions.
10. Responsible for maintenance, administration, and upkeep of Library website; edit HTML and CSS code.
11. Oversees the management of the Library’s Electronic Resources Management Systems (ERMS) and hosted EZProxy authorizations software.
12. Supports library staff in training and use of electronic resources, tools, software.
13. Supervises Digital Imaging Technician, grant-funded project staff and volunteers.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in an American Library Association accredited program in Library and Information Science. Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information design, network technology or equivalent experience is preferred.

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge of web technologies, including the creation and maintenance of websites using HTML and CSS; familiarity with website design.
• Knowledge of Innovative Interfaces or similar integrated library systems.
• Knowledge of database administration, data modeling, SQL queries, and experience working with APIs.
• Knowledge of current best practices in the field of digital curation.
• Knowledge of Linux, FTP, secure shell (SSH) scripting.
• Demonstrated ability to develop scripts.
• Advanced knowledge of XML, and familiarity with the many XML-based metadata schemas and standards commonly used in digital librarianship (including MARC, EAD, MODS, METS, Dublin Core.).
• Comfortable with a Unix server environment, including the installation of software packages and setup, and configuration and troubleshooting of new applications.
• Solid understanding of file management systems and databases.
• Ability to stay informed of new and emerging technologies and trends

Interpersonal, Management and Communication Skills:

• Effective time and project management and problem-solving skills
• Ability to exercise leadership and plan, coordinate and motivate others.
• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative project-based environment
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with organizational staff; vendors, and broader natural history community.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Active in professional organizations as well as on Garden-wide committees and initiatives.

Submit specified application materials to HR@nybg.org.