Schedule: Full-time; Flexible Based on Departmental Needs; occasional weekend and evening hours
The University and the Library
One of the world's leading research libraries, Yale University Library is a full partner in teaching, research, and learning at Yale and is visited by scholars from around the world. A distinctive strength is its rich spectrum of resources, including approximately thirteen million volumes and information in all media, ranging from ancient papyri to early printed books to electronic databases. The Library is engaging in numerous projects to expand access to its physical and digital collections. Housed in twenty-two buildings including the Sterling Memorial Library, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, and the new Bass Library, it employs a dynamic and diverse staff of nearly six hundred who offer innovative and flexible services to library readers. To learn more about Yale University Library and its collections and services, visit http://www.library.yale.edu/.
Yale’s Science and Social Science Libraries and University Information Technology Services are currently engaged in planning the creation of a combined information commons to serve the University’s science and social science academic programs and two new proposed undergraduate colleges. The new facility will provide high level technology services in partnership with library information services and is expected to open within the next two years.
The Yale Social Science Library supports research in the following academic areas: Anthropology, Business, Economics, Education, Women’s and Gender Studies, International Relations, Management, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Statistics. The Kline Science Library supports research in the biological and general sciences. The distributed Science Libraries include the Sterling Chemistry Library, the Engineering and Applied Science Library, the Geology Library, and the Mathematics Library. For additional information, you may view the Yale University the Social Science Library web site at http://www.library.yale.edu/socsci/ and the Science Libraries web site: http://www.library.yale.edu/science/.
Position Description
Reporting to the Director of the Social Science Libraries, the Science and Social Science Data Librarian provides support and instruction in the discovery, use, and management of locally- and externally-available data; collaborates with librarians, GIS specialists, and StatLab staff to develop scalable, sustainable, and domain-appropriate data services, in support of science and social science research at Yale; and represents Yale University Library to state, national, and international data organizations. Responsible for increasing visibility of available data resources for potential users through outreach efforts such as blogs, RSS feeds, mailings lists, “Web 2.0” services, department-based office hours, and workshops. Participates in research, instruction, program planning, and implementation.
This position facilitates access to collections and services of a complex, multi-faceted research/academic library through direct contact with library patrons and/or through the development of collections and their bibliographic identification. Contributes to improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the scholarly communications system. Develops, implements, and/or administers department/library policy and procedures, which provides access to the Yale University Library collections, and which allows for the cooperative exchange of resources between Yale and other universities and information networks. The Data Librarian is a member of the Science and Social Science Library teams and participates in Yale University Library programs and committees.
Responsibilities
Provides consultation and instruction in the discovery, use, and management of locally- and externally-available datasets. Selects and acquires data resources in the sciences and social sciences for use by the Yale community; reviews licenses and contracts for appropriate agreements, in cooperation with electronic resources staff as needed. Advises Technical Services staff on receiving acquired datasets and preparing them for availability to users and on cataloging requirements in Orbis (or successor systems). Initiates outreach to potential data resources users through efforts such as blogs, RSS feeds, mailings lists, “Web 2.0” services, department-based office hours, and workshops. Collaborates with librarians, GIS specialists, and StatLab staff to develop scalable, sustainable, and domain-appropriate data services in support of science and social science research at Yale. Represents and acts as Yale University Library's liaison to state, national, and international data organizations, such as Inter-University Consortia for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), the Roper Center, and the Data Documentation Initiative Alliance (DDI), and relevant science data organizations.
Collaborates with other campus units including other libraries, the Office of Digital Assets and Infrastructure (ODAI), Information Technology Services (ITS), Human Research Protection Program, and faculty, to investigate, develop and sustain programs to:
a. Make datasets created by Yale faculty and graduate students available for interactive, web-based analysis.
b. Optimize functions for discovery and preservation of data and its associated metadata in library catalogs, data archives/repositories, cross-collection search engines, and similar systems.
c. Develop and refine policies, guidelines, and/or best practices on data ownership, dataset version tracking, documentation of datasets for publishing, and related matters.
d. Establish and maintain for faculty a restricted access data center, physical and/or virtual, at Yale.
e. Assist researchers writing grant-required data management plans.
Participates in research and instruction services in the Social Science Library. Participates in Science and Social Science Library program planning and implementation. Participates in and contributes to library long-term planning and is professionally active in library, scholarly, and/or academic organizations. Participates in Library-wide committees as appropriate. Represents the Library and the University in the academic and professional community by serving on various committees and task forces. May be required to assist with disaster recovery efforts. May be assigned to work at West Campus location in West Haven, CT.
Qualifications
Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program for library and information science and two years of professional experience; and demonstrated professional accomplishments and ongoing engagement in professional development, research, or services appropriate to the rank required. Appointment to the Librarian III rank requires at least five years of professional experience and demonstrated professional accomplishments appropriate to the rank.
Demonstrated knowledge of statistical and spatial software for data analysis and with online and network based information systems. Technical expertise in the configuration and maintenance of computer workstations. Familiarity with data archival procedures. Familiarity with common metadata standards, e.g., DDI. Familiarity with XML and HTML; direct experience preferred. Familiarity with principles of database design (Microsoft Access, SQL); direct experience preferred. Demonstrated record of designing projects and bringing them to a conclusion in a timely fashion. Demonstrated ability to work collegially and cooperatively within and across organizations. Ability to work independently with varied user groups in a complex organization and function collaboratively in a rapidly changing team environment. Strong public service orientation. Excellent analytical, organizational, management, oral and written communications, and interpersonal skills.
Preferred: Undergraduate and/or advanced degree in social science or science; Reading knowledge of one or more Western European languages.
Salary and Benefits
We invite you to discover the excitement, diversity, rewards and excellence of a career at Yale University. One of the country's great workplaces, Yale University offers exciting opportunities for meaningful accomplishment and true growth. Our benefits package is among the best anywhere, with a wide variety of insurance choices, liberal paid time off, fantastic family and educational benefits, a variety of retirement benefits, extensive recreational facilities, and much more. Applications consisting of a cover letter, resume, and the names of three professional references should be sent by creating an account and applying online at www.yale.edu/jobs for immediate consideration - the STARS req ID for this position is 10807BR. Please be sure to reference #10807BR in your cover letter.
Background Check Requirements
All external candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent on successful completion of a background check. Please visit www.yale.edu/hronline/careers/screening/faqs.html for additional information on the background check requirements and process.
Yale University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Yale values diversity in its faculty, staff, and students and strongly encourages applications from women and members of underrepresented minority groups.
