How to Apply

To ensure full consideration, applications must include all of the following in a single document.

• A cover letter describing your interest in the position, your skills, and experience directly relevant to the work of the position
• A resume / CV

Job Summary

The Audio & Moving Image Digitization Librarian is a full-time Librarian position versed in A/MI digitization and metadata standards. This position will expand our audio and moving image preservation program by providing technical expertise to an expanding roster of formats, update our metadata practices, overhaul our workflows, and work closely with stakeholders to support their preservation and access needs. This position will also organize and guide the work of the A/MI technician, oversee the work of interns or other temporary staff, and provide training and project management for specific projects as needed.

Reporting Structure:
The Audio & Moving Image Digitization Librarian will report to the Digital Conversion Production Manager of the Digital Conversion Unit in LIT Digital Content and Collections.

Who We Are

The University of Michigan Library is one of the world's largest academic research libraries and serves a vibrant university community that is home to 19 schools and colleges, 100 top-ten graduate programs, and annual research expenditures approaching $1.5 billion. To enable the university's worldchanging work and to serve the public good, the library collects, preserves, and shares the scholarly and cultural record in all existing and emerging forms, and leads the reinvention of the academic research library in the digital age.
                                
The library is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and encourages all employees to fully incorporate their diverse backgrounds, skills, and life experiences into their work. We champion diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our work engages a broad and diverse community with wide-ranging needs and concerns, and we empower all employees to actively participate in the ongoing process of learning about and responding to these needs. We value the synergy that results from sharing and leveraging our different experiences, backgrounds, skills, talents, and interests to build an environment in which all our community members can flourish. Learn more in the Library's Diversity Strategic Plan.

Why Work at Michigan?

Ann Arbor is consistently ranked as one of the nation's best places to live. Fortune named Ann Arbor the #1 city in its recently published 25 Best Places to Live for Families for 2022, and U.S, News & World Report ranked Ann Arbor the #11 best place to live in the U.S. and #1 best place to live in Michigan. Ann Arbor has diverse, culturally-rich communities, top-rated primary and secondary schools, a thriving LGBTQIA+ community, amazing art fairs, film festivals, and theatrical productions, over 160 highly-walkable parks, numerous science, art, and history museums, multiple farmers markets, nationally ranked public libraries, outdoor recreation throughout the year, a charming, historic downtown lined with independent bookstores, gift shops, and breweries, and over 400 delectable restaurants across the city. Ann Arbor is about 30 minutes away from the Detroit Metropolitan Airport and less than an hour to downtown Detroit.

Responsibilities*

Working in close collaboration with stakeholders, collection managers, and systems managers across the Library, the Audio & Moving Image Digitization Librarian.

• (35%) Manages day-to-day operations of the audio/moving image digitization for preservation program, including:
  • Manage production processing of audio/moving image recordings, both analog and native digital, to/from external digitization vendors.
  • Organize inventories of audio/moving image materials, assess current condition, and advise on storage and priorities for digitization based on condition.
  • Prepare estimates, track production, and track expenditure of funds.
  • Provide training and project management in areas of expertise for other library staff, hourly assistants, or student interns. 
• (35%) Manages the library's evolving approach to and practice for audio/moving image digitization for preservation, including:
  • Write and continue to evaluate and adapt technical specifications. Oversee vendor compliance.
  • Research, establish, and maintain best practices for reformatting of audio/moving image recordings. 
  • Work with the unit head in writing RFPs, identifying appropriate vendors, and establishing contracts with external vendors for audio/moving image digitization. May prepare grant proposals.
  • Evaluate and update current workflows for the digitization of audio/moving image recordings, including preparation, shipping, tracking, metadata, quality control, and transfer to storage servers.
  • Work closely with digital asset managers and digital preservation specialists to develop and maintain protocols for ingest, storage, and ongoing management of the digitized collections.
  • Work closely with curators and collection managers to help develop protocols and workflows for delivery, access, and accessibility of audio/moving image materials.
• (15%) Investigates community practice and current research, including staying current on developing technologies, standards, and practice in preservation of audio and moving image collections and incorporates the outcome into the library's  audio/moving image recordings digitization work. 
• (10%) Contributes to the management and objectives of the library as a member of committees or task forces. Contributes to the profession through service, formal teaching, research and/or publication. 
• (5%) Contributes to the department's program for staff and user education and outreach. Designs and presents workshops and training seminars, offers orientation for new library staff and other outreach. Offers presentations and tours to the general public and responds to queries from the community about preservation of audio/moving image materials.

Required Qualifications*

• ALA-accredited master's degree in library or information studies or equivalent advanced degree and experience.
• Knowledge and experience in the management, digitization, and preservation of analog and digital audio/moving image recordings.
• Demonstrated understanding of current and obsolete audio/moving image recording technology and formats, and of current community standards relating to the digitization and preservation of audio and moving image formats. 
• Excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills. 
• Ability to work independently and in a group environment as part of a well-functioning and diverse team.
• Understands and values diversity and the importance of inclusion as demonstrated through a commitment to apply and incorporate the differences, complexities, and opportunities that diversity brings to an organization.

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience in preserving and digitizing moving image collections, particularly film.
• Experience with metadata formats associated with audio & moving image digitization.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

The anticipated hire date is January, 2025. This job posting will be open for at least three weeks. Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.    

Appointment is anticipated as an Assistant or Associate Librarian. Salary and rank are dependent on the candidate's qualifications and experience. The target salary range for this position is $61,000 to $66,000 for the Assistant Librarian rank, and $66,000 - $75,000 for the Associate Librarians rank.
This appointment is subject to the UM/LEO-GLAM collective bargaining agreement.

Librarian appointments carry with them increased expectations regarding professional development, professional engagement, research, and service, in keeping with the library's process for librarian promotion and advancement.

The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, generous time off (24 vacation days per year, and 15 days of sick leave a year), matched retirement contributions with immediate vesting, professional development opportunities, and more. TIAA and Fidelity Investments' retirement benefits are available.

This position currently allows a hybrid or fully on-site work environment. Flexible work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change depending on the business needs of the hiring department, throughout the course of employment. Fully remote work is not applicable to this position. Please see the University of Michigan's Remote Employment Policies and Agreements for more information.
It is the policy of the University of Michigan to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.  Pursuant to the 2022-2025 UM|LEO-GLAM agreement, each appointing unit will designate an administrative contact (?administrative designee?) who is responsible for communicating with the necessary parties about accommodations requests made by Employees in that appointing unit on each campus. The Administrative Designee for Library Information Technology - Digital Content and Collections is Maria Gonzalez.  They may be reached at 734-764-7196 or [email protected].

Union Affiliation

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the Lecturers Employee Organization, AFL-CIO, on behalf of their Librarian, Archivists, and Curator bargaining unit (LEO-GLAM), which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.