Month: March 2009

Maverick Digital Project Manager Jobs

Recently, Dorothea Salo posted a self-proclaimed rant, "Just Say No to Maverick-Manager Jobs."

Her topic was maverick institutional repository manager jobs, but I was struck by some similarities to what might be called for want of a better term "maverick digital project manager" jobs. These jobs can be at different levels in the organization and they can have different titles. Their key characteristic is that they have no direct reports, and consequently they rely on other units to provide critical support. Beyond this, they may have some or all of the below characteristics:

  • They may have a very broad scope of responsibility (e.g., digitization, digital preservation, digital repositories, ETDs, and scholarly communication) yet have no real authority.
  • They may have no direct control over key technical resources, such as servers.
  • They may have no dedicated, regularly budgeted funding.
  • They may report to a superior who does not have an adequate background to understand or manage a digital project operation.
  • Regardless of stated qualifications, they really require not only an alphabet soup of specific technical skills, but also a broad technical background and a variety of non-technical skills, such as a significant understanding of copyright issues.
  • They may represent a wish by the library to make progress in this area, not a real commitment by the library to do so.

Of course, by their very nature, digital projects must cross departmental and divisional lines, and cooperation is essential. The problem with the above support scenario is that, no matter how well intentioned, library staff in other units have their own complex and time-consuming responsibilities, and those responsibilities must be their day-to-day priority. (This can be especially tricky when needed support crosses divisional lines.) Moreover, on an individual basis, their interest in involvement in digital projects may vary considerably and their ability to participate, if interested, may wax and wane with their workload, not with project timelines.

Lack of a dedicated budget may result in digital projects being funded (or not) dependent on the ever changing fiscal circumstances of the library and the constantly shifting priorities of administrators. To some degree this is always true, but it is typically easier not to fund a non-budgeted operation than to eliminate or reduce a budgeted one. Digital projects can be seen as icing on the cake, not the cake itself.

Digital projects are expensive, and, the deeper the library gets into supporting them, the more expensive they become. For example, simple Web strategies that were adequate for a few digital exhibits are no longer adequate as the number of digital objects multiply, requiring digital asset management systems or other more complicated strategies. Digital preservation issues that could be initially ignored come to the fore. The library doesn’t need to put high-level human and technical infrastructure in place on day one to make progress, but it does need to recognize the fiscal implications that a long-term commitment entails and be willing to support planned growth.

Adequate supervision is a tricky issue because digital projects are based on complex technologies, yet they entail many key non-technical factors. Consider the institutional repository. As has been noted elsewhere with some regularity, the technical part, no matter how difficult, is the easy part. Faculty attitude change and motivation, copyright policies and compliance, providing decent metadata, and so on are the hard part. Supervisors may not need to be high-level technical experts, but they need a baseline understanding of relevant technical and non-technical issues and, most importantly, a genuine interest in and commitment to digital projects as well as a willingness to learn. Unless the maverick digital project manager reports to the head of the library, his or her supervisor must be an effective advocate for digital projects to his or her superiors to facilitate adequate support.

Those hiring maverick digital project managers may have a poor grasp of the necessary skills required or have a desire to hire on the cheap, resulting in understated or vague job requirements in recruitment ads. Consequently, new hires may quickly find themselves in deep water. Advanced technical and other sorts of training, if available and funded, can help with some aspects of this problem, but, since maverick digital project managers are without mentors, not all of it. Realistic expectations by supervisors are critical in this case, but can't be counted on.

Few things are as deadly to maverick digital project managers as the vague, but poorly informed, wish of a few administrators to make progress (often rapid progress) in the digital area that it is motivated by a desire to get on the digital bandwagon, rather than by a genuine interest in and considered concern for development in this area.

So, maverick digital project managers of the future, good luck. I'm not going to tell you not to do it, but I advise keeping your eyes open, asking incisive interview questions so that you know what you are in for, and having an good exit strategy.

University of Chicago Moves to ETDs

The University of Chicago has adopted an electronic-only dissertations policy.

Here's an excerpt from "Implementing Electronic Dissertations at the University of Chicago":

Motivated by the Provost's call to University units to reduce costs, the Library is critically examining many of its processes and procedures including those of the Dissertation Office. We have concluded that eliminating the requirement for paper dissertations and moving to an electronic-only format offers the University and its students significant potential for ongoing cost savings as well as for improved service. The Provost, Deputy Provost for Graduate Education, and the Deputy Dean of Students for Student Affairs have reviewed this change and endorse it. . . .

With Summer 2009 Convocation graduates the University will begin using a web-based interface for online submission and review of dissertations developed by UMI Dissertation Publishing. Coupled with this change, though operationally distinct from it, the University and the Library will stop accepting and archiving dissertations on paper and rely on electronic access via the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database while archiving a PDF copy of each future dissertation to guarantee permanence.

“Orphan Works Legislation and the Google Settlement”

In "Orphan Works Legislation and the Google Settlement," Paul Courant discusses the possibility of legislation that would extend the treatment of orphan works in the Google Book Search Copyright Class Action Settlement to anyone.

Here's an excerpt:

But there is an obvious solution, one that was endorsed at the Columbia meeting by counsel for the Authors Guild, the AAP, and Google: Congress could pass a law, giving access to the same sort of scheme that Google and the BRR have under the Google Settlement to anyone. And they could pass some other law that makes it possible for people to responsibly use orphaned works, while preserving interests for the missing "parents" should they materialize. Jack Bernard and Susan Kornfield have proposed just such an architecture to "foster" these orphans. Google has also made a proposal that would be a huge improvement.

New Report Says Less Than 50% of Publishers Permit Self-Archiving in Disciplinary Archives

A new report from the Publishing Research Consortium, Journal Authors' Rights: Perception and Reality, says that less than 10% of publishers permit self-archiving of the publisher PDF file in any repository and less than 50% permit deposit of the submitted and the accepted article version in a disciplinary archive.

Here's an excerpt:

However, when it comes to self-archiving, although 80% or more allow self- archiving to a personal or departmental website, over 60% to an institutional repository, and over 40% to a subject repository, in most cases this is only permitted for the submitted and/or accepted version; use of the final, published version for self-archiving is very much more restricted.

Library IT Jobs: Associate University Librarian, Client Services and Technology at University of Regina

The Dr. John Archer Library of the University of Regina is recruiting an Associate University Librarian, Client Services and Technology

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Associate University Librarian, Client Services and Technology has broad oversight of and provides leadership in reference and research services, access services, library systems and in the development of strategic plans related to these areas. The Head of Research Services, the Head of Access Services and Systems, and the Data Services Librarian report to this position. The individual in this position consults routinely and works closely with the University Librarian, the Associate University Librarian for Collection Services and Assessment, the Library Administrator, all direct reports, and the Library Executive Committee to carry out the position's responsibilities.

“Google & Books: An Exchange”

In "Google & Books: An Exchange," Paul N. Courant, Ann Kjellberg, J. D. McClatchy, Edward Mendelson, Margo Viscusi, Tappan Wilder et al. have commented on Robert Darnton's "Google & the Future of Books," and Darnton has replied.

Here's an excerpt:

[Darnton] Monopolies tend to charge monopoly prices. I agree that the parallel between the pricing of digital and periodical materials isn't perfect, but it is instructive. If the readers of a library become so attached to Google's database that they cannot do without it, the library will find it extremely difficult to resist stiff increases in the price for subscribing to it. As happened when the publishers of periodicals forced up their prices, the library may feel compelled to cover the increased cost by buying fewer books. Exorbitant pricing for Google's service could produce the same effect as the skyrocketing of periodical prices: reduced acquisitions of monographs, a further decline in monograph publishing by university presses, and fewer opportunities for young scholars to publish their research and get ahead in their careers.

Copyright and Related Issues Relevant to Digital Preservation and Dissemination of Unpublished Pre-1972 Sound Recordings by Libraries and Archives

The Council on Library and Information Resources has released Copyright and Related Issues Relevant to Digital Preservation and Dissemination of Unpublished Pre-1972 Sound Recordings by Libraries and Archives .

Here's an excerpt:

This report addresses the question of what libraries and archives are legally empowered to do to preserve and make accessible for research their holdings of unpublished pre-1972 sound recordings. The report's author, June M. Besek, is executive director of the Kernochan Center for Law, Media and the Arts at Columbia Law School.

Unpublished sound recordings are those created for private use, or even for broadcast, but that have not been distributed to the public in copies with the right holder's consent. Examples include tapes of live musical performances or of interviews conducted as part of field research or news gathering. Such recordings may find their way into library and archive collections through donations or purchase. Some may be the only record of a particular performance or event, and therefore may have considerable cultural and historical significance. The rights for use of unpublished recordings are distinct from those for use of commercial sound recordings, which are made with the authorization of rights holders and are intended for reproduction and sale to the public.

Using examples of specific types of sound recordings, the Besek study (1) describes the different bodies of law that protect pre-1972 sound recordings, (2) explains the difficulty in defining the precise contours of the law, and (3) provides guidance for libraries evaluating their activities with respect to unpublished pre-1972 sound recordings.

Digital Library Jobs: Digital Repository Assistant at Columbia University

Columbia University is recruiting a Digital Repository Assistant.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Assists Digital Repository Coordinator with acquiring digital objects (including texts, images, audio, video, websites, and datasets in a variety of digital formats) from Columbia University faculty, staff, and students by following-up with departmental and individual contacts to ensure timely delivery or self-deposit of materials; assists with managing the process of reviewing and tracking digital object collections. Both by hand and in batch processes, deposits digital objects into various online storage locations, including the Columbia University Libraries/Information Services research repository (Academic Commons); helps develop more efficient workflow and procedures. Using a variety of tools, catalogs digital objects using standardized metadata schemas and controlled vocabularies. Provides training for departmental administrative staff and for individual faculty, staff, and students wishing to ingest materials themselves. When necessary, develops derivative versions of digital objects (e.g., PDF-A) that conform to best practices for long-term digital preservation. Performs quality control procedures both for individual and sets of digital objects and for the metadata records created for the objects; runs specified software checks on digital objects to ensure object safety (e.g., absences of electronic viruses) and integrity (e.g., completeness and accuracy). Assists with evaluating the display of digital objects and metadata in the repository; documents issues and anomalies; provide feedback to the technical team for improvements

Digital Archiving of Audio Content Using WINISIS and Greenstone Software: A Manual for Community Radio Managers

UNESCO has released Digital Archiving of Audio Content Using WINISIS and Greenstone Software: A Manual for Community Radio Managers.

Here's an excerpt:

This self-instructional Manual describes:

  1. the method of creation of digital archive with WINISIS software,
  2. the creation of a web front-end for the above archives to make it easily usable and accessible over a local area network with GenIsisWeb software,
  3. the creation of a CD-ROM library with WINISIS and GenIsisCD software,
  4. the creation of a digital library of audio documents with Greenstone digital library software. . . .

The mechanisms described in this Manual can be used for managing not only audio documents, but also other types of digital documents such as text, PDF, HTML and video.

JISC Issues Call for Information Environment Rapid Innovation Grants

JISC has issued a call for Information Environment Rapid Innovation Grants proposals.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

Proposals are sought under the following priority areas:

  • Mashups of open data
  • Aggregating tags and feeds
  • Semantic web/ linked data
  • Data search
  • Visualisation
  • Personalisation
  • Mobile Technologies
  • Lightweight Shared Infrastructure Services
  • User Interface Design

Presentations from the 9th International Bielefeld Conference

Presentations from the 9th International Bielefeld Conference are now available.

Here's a few quick selections:

  • Communicating the Results of Research: How Much Does It Cost, and Who Pays?, Michael Jubb (slides) (audio)
  • IR Also Means Institutional Responsibility, Leo Waaijers (slides) (audio)
  • University Investment in the Library: What's the Return?, Carol Tenopir (slides) (audio)

"Know Your Copyright from Wrong: A Guide to UK Copyright Law"

Christine Riefa, Brunel Law School, has made "Know Your Copyright from Wrong: A Guide to UK Copyright Law" available on SSRN.

Here's the abstract:

Copyright law in the UK is heavily influenced by European law and international treaties. The rationale for protection is anchored in utilitarian theories, based on the idea that an author should be rewarded for his time, effort, and creativity and that he should also be able to control the work as property. The economic protection granted to the author or copyright owner remains a strong feature of UK copyright law and shapes its contours. Our exploration of UK copyright law starts with the subsistence of Copyright to then move on to consider its duration and how copyright is transferred to third parties. Infringements and defences to infringements as well as the acts permitted by Statute are reviewed before concluding by taking into consideration moral rights, a fairly recent addition to UK copyright law.

Library IT Jobs: Library Technology Coordinator at University of Puget Sound

The Collins Memorial Library at the University of Puget Sound is recruiting a Library Technology Coordinator.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

This position has responsibility for the day to day operation of the Innovative Interface Integrated library system and for supporting general technology applications including: web page development, survey instruments, and maintaining awareness of new and emerging trends including open access software. The individual in this position will also serve as the primary technical contact with the Orbis/Cascade Alliance and the UPS Technology Services staff. In addition, the individual in this position may assist with the ongoing management of some digital projects assisting with the development of standards and processes.

Digital Library Jobs: IT Specialist at NASA Astrophysics Data System

The NASA Astrophysics Data System is recruiting an IT Specialist.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The employee will develop software modules and web-based applications to support the Smithsonian/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS) services. The ADS is a 16-year-old project that has revolutionized access to the astronomical literature. The successful candidate will join a dynamic team to help enhance and solidify the project's role as THE digital library portal for astronomers. The employee will participate in the development, maintenance and upgrading of the ADS infrastructure and help plan, specify, and build the technologies needed to support the project's goal of ubiquitous access to the astronomical literature and related datasets.

Microsoft Releases Ontology Add-in for Microsoft Office Word 2007

Microsoft has released the open source Ontology Add-in for Microsoft Office Word 2007.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

Addressing this critical challenge for researchers, Microsoft Corp. and Creative Commons announced today, before an industry panel at the O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference (ETech 2009, http://en.oreilly.com/et2009/), the release of the Ontology Add-in for Microsoft Office Word 2007 that will enable authors to easily add scientific hyperlinks as semantic annotations, drawn from ontologies, to their documents and research papers. Ontologies are shared vocabularies created and maintained by different academic domains to model their fields of study.

This Add-in will make it easier for scientists to link their documents to the Web in a meaningful way. Deployed on a wide scale, ontology-enabled scientific publishing will provide a Web boost to scientific discovery.

Science Commons, a division of Creative Commons, is incubating the adoption of semantic scientific publishing through creation of a robust database of ontologies (http://neurocommons.org) and development of supporting technical standards and code. Microsoft Research has built a technology bridge to enable the link between Microsoft Office Word 2007 and these ontologies.

"The Web is broken for scientific researchers—full of hyperlinks of scholarly articles, but it is nearly impossible for us to find what we need," said John Wilbanks, vice president for Science at Creative Commons. "The semantic Web tool will help bridge the gap between basic research and meaningful discovery, unlocking the value of research so more people can benefit from the work scientists are doing."

DigitalPreservationEurope Briefing Paper on Database Preservation

DigitalPreservationEurope has released a briefing paper on Database Preservation.

Here's an excerpt:

Information systems for most organizations are currently supported by databases. Preservation of these databases has to address problems including defining what is to be preserved, the creation and long-term evolution of the preserved objects, organizational support for preservation actions, and technologies that will keep the preserved objects accessible and trustworthy. Some of the issues in database preservation have already been addressed in electronic record preservation, but others result from the specific nature of databases.

Library IT Jobs: Web Services Librarian at University of Alaska

The University of Alaska's Consortium Library is recruiting a Web Services Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Web Services Librarian will work as part of the Library Systems Department to deliver access to more than 190 licensed databases, 20,000 electronic journals and books, and other web-based services. The department with five positions manages over 150 PCs for staff, public, and instructional use as well as several Linux and Windows servers for authentication, storage, web applications, and other services.

Digital Library Jobs: Scholarly Communications and Intellectual Property Librarian at Appalachian State

The University Library at Appalachian State University is recruiting a Scholarly Communications and Intellectual Property Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The position is responsible for uniting and strengthening the Library’s efforts in scholarly communications and intellectual property. The successful candidate will lead scholarly communication outreach efforts to the campus community; will develop and provide intellectual property and copyright services for the campus; and will develop and administer policies and procedures related to the ASU Institutional Repository and Faculty Publications Database. This position demands leadership abilities and the ability to work with library and university constituencies.

Digital Collections/Exhibitions Software: Omeka 1.0 Alpha Released

Omeka 1.0 alpha has been released.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

This version of Omeka includes:

  • New helper functions and updates current helper function;
  • Enhancements and fixes bugs throughout the admin panel;
  • An autocompleter to the tags field for items;
  • Filtering for the users list in the admin;
  • An upgrade notification to admin dashboard if you're version of Omeka is older than the latest stable release.
  • A "Remember Me" checkbox to the login.
  • A global view page and helpers for file metadata, which will allow you to edit file metadata and display it in public themes.

Library IT Jobs: Library Systems Manager at Rider University

The Rider University Libraries are recruiting a Library Systems Manager.

Here's an excerpt from the ad :

Rider University seeks a Library Systems Manager to assume overall responsibility for the management and ongoing development of a growing range of information technology based systems and services for the University Libraries on both campuses. Under the direction of the Dean of University Libraries individual will: manage the development and delivery of new and innovative user-centered library services; evaluate the use of technology to enhance and expand overall systems operations and services; maintain a comprehensive, responsive computing environment; plan and administer library technology systems; maintain system-wide fault tolerance and security at all levels; devise long term strategic plans for the development of information technology systems and services; coordinate the library’s annual equipment replacement schedules; and work closely with other campus units in the provision of information technology supported services.

Senate Spending Bill Includes NIH Open Access Provision

The Senate spending bill, which has been reported by the Washington Post and others as having passed, includes an NIH open access provision.

Here's an excerpt from "In 2009 Appropriations Bill, NIH Public Access Mandate Would Become Permanent":

In the section funding the NIH, section 217, pertaining to public access, reads:

"The Director of the National Institutes of Health shall require in the current fiscal year and thereafter [emphasis added] that all investigators funded by the NIH submit or have submitted for them to the National Library of Medicine's PubMed Central an electronic version their final, peer-reviewed manuscripts upon acceptance for publication, to be made publicly available no later than 12 months after the official date of publication: provided, That the NIH shall implement the public access policy in a manner consistent with copyright law."

In his "Congress Makes NIH Policy Permanent (but for Conyers Bill) post," Peter Suber points out that because of the Fair Copyright in Research Works Act the NIH Public Access policy is still in danger.