How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
The University of Michigan Library in Ann Arbor is one of the world's largest academic research libraries and serves a vibrant university community of 19 schools and colleges with a vision to serve humanity as the defining public institution. The library's mission is to support, enhance, and collaborate in the instructional, research, and service activities of faculty, students, and staff and contribute to the common good by collecting, organizing, preserving, communicating, sharing, and creating the record of human knowledge.
We have been thoughtful about the required qualifications listed in this posting to provide a framework for the core skills and competencies that are needed for success in this role. We also recognize that talent and expertise come from a variety of experiences and value the unique perspectives each individual may have gained along their career journey. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment and encourage applicants who can demonstrate, through the application and interview process, that their skills are aligned with the role's needs. We assess all qualified candidates based on their arrival point, not the path they took to get here. More information on the University of Michigan Library's Diversity Plan can be found here: Diversity Strategic Plan.
The Digital Preservation Production Manager joins the Digital Preservation Unit to help lead the design and implementation of a comprehensive library-wide digital preservation program. You will take the lead in building and managing the production aspects of the library's born-digital preservation program, including several existing archiving and preservation solutions and the daily activities of our Digital Preservation Lab, which serves as the center of the library's digital archeological work and an incubation space for solutions to be implemented throughout the library. You will report to the Director of Preservation Services for Digital Collections.
As the Digital Preservation Production Manager, you will reflect the inherently collaborative nature of digital preservation by working with colleagues from across the library, including subject experts; staff working in Library Information Technology, the Computer and Video Game Archive, and the Special Collections Research Center; and colleagues supporting digital scholarship happening across campus.
What You'll Do
- (40%) Helps envision, implement, and manage production-focused solutions supporting the preservation of the library's new and existing born-digital collections, which include:
- Leading the ongoing management of the library's dark repository, which includes designing and implementing ingest and validation workflows for different content types and file formats for programs like digital archaeology, audio/moving image digitization, and backups of content from the Computer and Video Game Archive.
- Develop and maintain approaches to the local storage and access of web content in conjunction with our ongoing web archiving program.
- Work with managers in other library units and with others across the university in similar service provider roles to ensure services are implemented coherently and efficiently.
- (25%) Manages operations in the Digital Preservation Lab, which includes:
- Developing and maintaining workflows grounded in current preservation practice.
- Conducting research or testing required to support and expand the library's digital preservation capabilities and strategies.
- Managing the equipment, supplies, and physical space of the Digital Preservation Lab, including selecting and sourcing specialized materials and equipment.
- (15%) Investigate community practice and current research to inform the library's digital preservation initiatives, including staying current on developing technologies, standards, and practices in the preservation of digital collections.
- (10%) Supervises interns or other temporary staff,
- (5%) Serves on library, university, and other committees, task forces, etc., as needed and appropriate.
- (5%) Engages in outreach to the campus, local, and regional cultural heritage communities and serves as an expert resource.
Why Work at Michigan?
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 sick days per year
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Professional development opportunities
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
- Life insurance, long-term disability coverage, and more
- TIAA and Fidelity Investments
Required Qualifications*
- Master's degree in library or information studies, OR relevant experience.
- At least two years experience working with digital library or archival content.
- In-depth knowledge of digital preservation principles demonstrated through coursework, internships, and/or professional-level work experiences.
- Ability and interest to learn, evaluate, test, and implement new technologies and solutions
- Basic scripting knowledge.
- Interest in developing digital preservation procedures and policy.
- Excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills. Ability to work independently and in a group environment as part of a diverse team.
- Understands and values diversity and the importance of inclusion in the workplace, as demonstrated by developing and practicing anti-racism principles in the workplace.
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
Appointment is anticipated at Assistant Librarian or Associate Librarian rank. The salary is dependent on qualifications and experience. The target rank for this position is Assistant Librarian, which has a salary of $61,000 - $65,000, and Associate Librarian, which is $66,000 - $75,000.The anticipated date of hire is February 3, 2025.
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.
This appointment is subject to the UM/LEO-GLAM collective bargaining agreement.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 prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability. Pursuant to the 2022-2025 UM|LEO-GLAM agreement, each appointing until 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 the University Collections Preservation Department is Deb Jackson. They may be reached at 734-764-4357 or [email protected].
Application Deadline
This position will be posted for three (3) weeks. The review and selection process may begin as early as the day after the posting closes. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.