Columbia University Libraries (CUL) seeks a Web Services and User Experience Librarian to collaboratively coordinate and participate in planning and implementing ongoing user-focused improvements to the Columbia Libraries’ online presence in support of academic research and resource discovery.
As part of the Web Services Team within the Digital Library and Scholarly Technologies (DLST) group, the incumbent will report to the Head of Web Services and will work with the Web Services team and with the Libraries’ Research & Learning group, Special Collections teams, and other Libraries and University staff to support existing web projects, to plan for and implement new online projects and new designs, and to improve the Libraries’ web presence. The Web Services User Experience Librarian will bring an innovative, user-centered approach to all online projects and will thrive in a highly collaborative, team-oriented environment.
Working collaboratively, this full-time librarian position will participate in project review, analysis, development, and assessment. The incumbent will also work collaboratively to help address “legacy” web content, developing tooling and strategies to assist in managing that content. Under the guidance of the Head of Web Services, the incumbent will help improve workflows and procedures related to web projects and mobile strategies, participate in web project planning, provide documentation and training support for the Libraries’ content management systems, assist in developing user assessments and usability studies, analyze usage statistics and usability results, and provide reports and other information as needed to help with planning across our web presence.
The Web Services and User Experience Librarian assists in advising and consulting with other units within Columbia University Libraries related to the Libraries’ web presence and will communicate with content contributors and the Libraries as a whole about usability findings, best practices, accessibility needs and standards, and emerging technologies as well as industry standards. This position will participate in secondary assignments based on interests and institutional need.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Create user documentation; provide training support for users of the Libraries’ web content management systems; provide direct assistance and consulting to content contributors for Web-related activities and when help is needed with creating, maintaining, or troubleshooting their web contributions; and help maintain user accounts.
- Enable and ensure the smooth operation and successful implementation of online projects within a highly collaborative environment.
- Collaborate with Web Services, the Web Content Editor, and the Communications Team to maintain and promote the Libraries’ web style guide and branding guidelines and other web contributor guidelines as needed.
- Provide statistics and other information to help with assessment and planning; in collaboration with the Head of Web Services, advise and consult on areas related to web usability, develop and conduct usability studies, analyze results, communicate findings, and implement improvements.
- Work with the Web Services Team to communicate with contributors and the Libraries as a whole about assessment findings, best practices, accessibility needs and standards, and emerging technologies as well as industry standards (and how these should/might be integrated into the current Libraries Web platforms and presence).
- Promote staff awareness of the Libraries web presence and of issues and technologies related to library initiatives and services; monitor, identify, and consider innovations in the uses of technology for the delivery of resources, services, and information; and participate in project review, analysis, development, planning, and assessment, working as a team member with Libraries staff, University partners, and external vendors.
- Collaborate with appropriate Libraries staff on "legacy" web content, and develop tooling and strategies to assist this effort.
Qualifications
Minimum Degree Required
- MLS or PhD or equivalent.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in library science or equivalent.
- Ability to provide effective user support services including consulting, training & documentation.
- Ability to code and troubleshoot moderately complex web content.
- Experience in the management of complex websites.
- Knowledge of user experience principles and familiarity with usability testing.
- Knowledge of the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and standards.
- Familiarity with Web Analytics tools and statistical analysis.
- Experience in an academic or research library.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Excellent written communications skills.
- Project management experience and comfort with navigating multiple projects at the same time.
- Experience in academia or in a research library.
- Experience with web scripting languages such as Javascript.
- Experience translating technology tools and approaches to non-technical staff.
- Experience managing complex web content management systems.
- Experience with assessment tools and techniques.
