Job Details

eResources Librarian - 002830

Position Number: 6222388
Location: Cullowhee, NC
Position Type: Libraries

eResources Librarian - 002830

Western Carolina University

Department: Content Org and Mgt, eRes, & Tech

About WCU:

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary:

The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

The eResources Librarian will lead and manage the librarys electronic resources, ensuring seamless access to databases, eJournals, and eBooks. This role involves activating and maintaining access to licensed electronic resources, resolving access issues, and collaborating with public services librarians to enhance user experience. Key responsibilities include supervising one full-time staff member, maintaining the Open Athens proxy server and link resolver, managing eResource knowledge bases such as EBSCO A-to-Z, collecting and tracking usage data, administering databases, and coordinating eResource-related tasks among various stakeholders. The librarian will also collaborate with consortial partners on eResource issues. This position will work closely with the Acquisitions Librarian, who is responsible for purchasing and licensing eResources.

As the library strengthens its commitment to digital accessibility, this position will be crucial in documenting the accessibility of licensed eResources and advocating for vendor compliance with existing standards.

Additional duties involve developing and implementing local workflows, documentation, and record-keeping practices for electronic resources as well as training and supervising staff as needed. The eResources Librarian will oversee the collection of e-resource holdings statistics, establish and maintain professional relationships with vendors, troubleshoot access issues, and serve on library committees, task forces, and working groups. They will represent the library at consortial and professional venues related to electronic resources management and access.

The eResources Librarian will be part of the Content Organization & Management, eResources and Technology (COMET) Department in Hunter Library and reports to the Department Head of COMET. This is a fixed-term faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Practice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

This position requires familiarity with various software such as link resolver software, metasearch software, data collection software, discovery services, electronic resources management software, the administrative functions of proprietary databases, and bibliographic utilities.
Sustained computer work, and a high level of problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Aptitude for detail-oriented work, including strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, and the ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with various groups of library staff and external colleagues
Effective organization, prioritization, and time management skills
Strong commitment to customer service
Ability to work creatively and collaboratively in a team environment

Minimum Qualifications:

ALA-accredited masters degree in library or information science or an advanced degree in a related field.
Strong leadership skills and ability to lead an eResources team
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Familiarity with standards such as COUNTER 5 and SUSHI. Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students
2 years of experience working with electronic resources

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working in a library or higher education environment
Ability to actively engage and collaborate regularly with stakeholders, including management
Understanding of eResources lifecycle
Familiarity with Alma
Familiarity with OpenAthens
Demonstrated experience preparing and conducting assessments
Has the ability to collect, analyze, manipulate, and provide meaningful interpretation of data using relational databases, spreadsheet and word processing programs, and other online tools.
Has extensive knowledge of digital tools, standards and initiatives, such as ONIX, SUSHI, OpenURL, and COUNTER.

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include a cover letter, current resume and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Sarah Steiner at sksteiner@email.wcu.edu

AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/30936