Digital Library Jobs: Head, Digital Library Production Services at Michigan

The University of Michigan Library is recruiting a Head, Digital Library Production Services.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Digital Library Production Service (DLPS), a part of the University of Michigan University Library, is one of the nation’s premier organizations for the creation and support of digital library resources and infrastructure, with production level support for electronic library collections. Comprised of more than 20 staff members, including librarians, programmers, and skilled technical staff, DLPS is funded primarily with a base budget for both staff and equipment, and relies on significant grant and revenue funding for a variety of new and incremental initiatives. Staff members within DLPS have responsibility for creating online access mechanisms, and for significant digital conversion activities. DLPS provides these services to the University of Michigan as well as to other institutions. DLPS staff members play a significant role in the University of Michigan Library’s work on the HathiTrust digital library and conversion related to the Google Books digitization effort. Most conversion activities are conducted through a unit within DLPS, the Digital Conversion Unit (DCU). In addition to work related to HathiTrust, one of the world’s largest digitized book and journal collections, DLPS staff support several hundred thousand rich images in visual resource collections, large collections of finding aids, and contribute to the Library’s development efforts with many other formats. DLPS is also the primary development organization for DLXS (www.dlxs.org), a leading-edge initiative for the development of a digital library access system. . . .

Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Library Information Technology, the Head of DLPS manages all operational aspects of DLPS, including:

  • Management of more than 20 FTE staff in several functional areas;
  • Budget management across DLPS ($1.5m of combined annual base budget, grant, and revenue funds), for both personnel and vended services; includes DLXS-related budget management;
  • General coordination or direction of Digital Conversion Unit (DCU) activities in conjunction with DCU’s manager.
  • General strategic planning for DLPS;
  • DLXS development, planning, and outreach;
  • A role on the University of Michigan campus and beyond (i.e., nationally and internationally) representing the University Library's digital library efforts and capabilities and promoting appropriate adoption in those venues.

Digital Library Jobs: Text Creation Partnership Project Outreach Librarian at Michigan

The University of Michigan Library is recruiting a Text Creation Partnership Project Outreach Librarian (two-year term).

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The University of Michigan Library and Oxford University Library have collaborated for several years with three corporate partners, ProQuest Information and Learning. Readex-Newsbank and Gale Cengage Learning, in an international effort to create structurally marked-up full-text transcriptions of early English and American printed books, dating from 1475 to 1800, on behalf of a large and growing academic consortium, the Text Creation Partnership (TCP). About 32,000 texts have been produced so far, towards a goal of 80,000, representing a substantial portion of the nearly 300,000 books contained in the subscription databases from which they are transcribed: Early English Books Online (EEBO), Evans Early American Imprints, and Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO). ProQuest, Readex, and Gale supply the page images; Michigan and Oxford oversee the keying and SGML/XML tagging; and the partner libraries own the resulting corpus. This is arguably the largest and most significant full-text project of its kind undertaken to date, not least in that it is being done under terms that reflect the needs and values of libraries and scholars.

The Text Creation Partnership Project Outreach Librarian will be appointed as a Librarian (or equivalent professional classification) at the University Library and will work under the supervision of the TCP Project Director (also a librarian at the University Library). The Outreach Librarian will be housed in the Scholarly Publishing Office at the University of Michigan Library and will interact with a wide range of staff throughout the Library system. The University of Michigan is a national leader in digital library development and the Project Outreach Librarian will be working with skilled digital library and electronic publishing specialists as well as leading collection, service, and processing librarians at Michigan, Oxford, ProQuest, and the libraries funding and supporting the project.

Digital Library Jobs: Digital Preservation Librarian at Michigan

The University of Michigan Library is recruiting a Digital Preservation Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Digital Preservation Librarian will report to the head of the Department of Preservation and Conservation. Working closely with staff in Library IT Core Services, Digital Library Production Service, the Scholarly Publishing Office, Deep Blue, Preservation, and other library units, as well as with partners at other institutions, the Digital Preservation Librarian will:

  • Research, plan, and develop the digital preservation program for University Library collections of enduring value in digital format: review existing library practices and analyze needs and establish policies and best practices for the long-term protection and access to digital materials of all types, both created by or acquired by the library. While the library’s focus has been on text and images, digital collections to be preserved may also include data, audio-visual resources, Web pages, and ephemera. Working with specialists at other partner institutions, the Digital Preservation Librarian will also support the development of the preservation program for the HathiTrust.
  • Assist in the ongoing development of requirements and specifications, including formats and metadata, for digital material the library solicits, accepts, or purchases into its collections. Advise both library staff and external content creators on strategies and the practical implementation of those specifications.
  • Advise library staff and digital initiatives on all phases of the life cycle of digital content with the aim of long-term retention and access; provide training or orientations. Represent and champion digital preservation interests across the library, the university, and to the community at large.
  • Prepare proposals for external funding for digital preservation projects. Prepare specifications for vended services that support the digital preservation program; evaluate responses to proposals for such services and make recommendations for selecting vendors; and act on behalf of the library as a technical liaison on preservation issues to vendors providing digital materials. Represent the University Library in cooperative projects or programs in digital preservation.
  • Research and advise the library on contingency plans against threats to the digital collections, such as industry changes to file formats, natural disaster, and security breaches.
  • Stay current on developing technologies, standards, and practice in preservation of digital collections; recommend responses to these developments through periodic alerts, summaries, reports, and revisions to policies and procedures. Represent the University Library in forums on digital preservation at the campus, regional, national, or international level.

"Towards an Open Source Legal Operating System"

Katie Fortney has made "Towards an Open Source Legal Operating System" available on SSRN.

Here's the abstract:

An informed democratic society needs open access to the law, but states' attempts to protect copyright interests in their laws are a major roadblock. This article urges broader access, analyzes the implications and legal arguments for and against copyright in the law, and considers strategies for access advocacy.

Also see "New Draft Paper on States Claiming Copyright in their Laws and Access to Legal Research" for an interview with Fortney.

Now Available: Scriblio 2.7, CMS/OPAC WordPress Plugin

Scriblio 2.7 has been released.

Here's an excerpt from "Scriblio 2.7 Released":

Scriblio is an open source WordPress plugin that adds the ability to search, browse, and create structured data to the popular blog/content management platform. And WordPress adds great ease of use, permalinks, comments/trackbacks/pingbacks, and other social and web-centric features to that structured data. But that’s not news. The news is that Scriblio now has an internal data model that supports much more sophisticated uses. . . Whereas previous versions of Scriblio were mostly just display and social interaction interfaces to data that’s created or managed elsewhere, this new version supports soup to nuts creation and management of collections.

"LIS Open Access E-Journal—Where Are You?"

The latest issue of Webology includes "LIS Open Access E-Journal—Where Are You?"

Here's the abstract:

Access to published information is of interest to many users. Library and information science (LIS) professionals are especially interested in gaining access and guiding users to all available information. Though they are often dependent on traditional subscription-based library resources, moving away from the costly ones and replacing them with usage of available open access sources, presents practitioners with a significant budget consideration in today's shrinking economy. This paper examines the availability of current LIS open access e-journals; their presence in well- and less-well known abstracting and indexing sources, their inclusion in standard library bibliographic tools as well as coverage by Google Scholar, a computer generated search engine.

Cloud Computing: DuraSpace Report to Mellon Foundation

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has released a progress report from the DuraSpace project, a joint project of the DSpace Foundation and the Fedora Commons. (Thanks to RepositoryMan.)

Here's an excerpt from "DSpace Foundation and Fedora Commons Receive Grant from the Mellon Foundation for DuraSpace" that describes the project:

Over the next six months funding from the planning grant will allow the organizations to jointly specify and design "DuraSpace," a new web-based service that will allow institutions to easily distribute content to multiple storage providers, both "cloud-based" and institution-based. The idea behind DuraSpace is to provide a trusted, value-added service layer to augment the capabilities of generic storage providers by making stored digital content more durable, manageable, accessible and sharable.

Digital Library Jobs: Metadata Librarian at MIT

The MIT Libraries are recruiting a Metadata Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The MIT Libraries is seeking a self-motivated Metadata Librarian to join the service-oriented and innovative staff of our Cataloging and Metadata Services (CAMS) Department in support of discovery and access to MIT collections in both print and digital formats. This is a new position, whose responsibilities include: original and complex copy cataloging of monographic materials in all formats, creating and maintaining authority records, and creating metadata for the Libraries' digital projects. This position will serve as a resource for support staff performing copy cataloging and assist the unit manager with staff training, workflow redesign, and prioritizing and managing projects. The Metadata Librarian reports to the Head of the Monograph Cataloging Unit, works closely with the Metadata Specialist who leads the Metadata Services unit, and collaborates with staff of other library units engaged in metadata creation. S/he will direct students and supervise the work of staff as needed, be expected to keep current with emerging standards, and participate in committees and projects within MIT Libraries and beyond. The MIT Libraries currently utilize the Ex Libris' Aleph System for its Integrated Library System and DSpace for its digital repository. We are experimenting with vendor cataloging and end-processing services for more routine materials in order to allow CAMS to focus on specialized resources and MIT-produced content. CAMS maintains a close working relationship with all the directorates in the MIT Libraries and in particular works with the Technology Research and Development group which engages in research on the application of Semantic Web and Data Grid technologies to digital libraries and data curation. CAMS seeks to operationalize the output of this research.

New Zealand Delays Law That Would Terminate Internet Accounts of Repeat Copyright Infringers

New Zealand's prime minister is delaying the implementation of a controversial new copyright law that will force ISP's to terminate the accounts of repeat copyright infringers until March 27th in order to study whether implementing the law is feasible.

Here's an excerpt from the law:

92A Internet service provider must have policy for terminating accounts of repeat infringer

  1. An Internet service provider must adopt and reasonably implement a policy that provides for termination, in appropriate circumstances, of the account with that Internet service provider of a repeat infringer.
  2. In subsection (1), repeat infringer means a person who repeatedly infringes the copyright in a work by using 1 or more of the Internet services of the Internet service provider to do a restricted act without the consent of the copyright owner.

Read more about it at "New Zealand P2P Disconnection Plan Delayed after Outcry"; "New Zealand Three Strikes Mandate Delayed"; and "Three Strikes Encounters Political, Netroots Opposition Down Under."

Blog Report on the Legal and Ethical Implications of Large-Scale Digitization of Manuscript Collections Symposium

Merrilee Proffitt of RLG Programs has posted a blog report on the Legal and Ethical Implications of Large-Scale Digitization of Manuscript Collections symposium at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

“What Cloud Computing Really Means”

Eric Knorr and Galen Gruman provide a concise overview of "cloud computing" in "What Cloud Computing Really Means."

Here's an excerpt:

Cloud computing comes into focus only when you think about what IT always needs: a way to increase capacity or add capabilities on the fly without investing in new infrastructure, training new personnel, or licensing new software. Cloud computing encompasses any subscription-based or pay-per-use service that, in real time over the Internet, extends IT's existing capabilities.

Exhibiting Public Value: Government Funding for Museums in the United States

The Institute of Museum and Library Services has released Exhibiting Public Value: Government Funding for Museums in the United States

Here's an excerpt:

As a proportion of total revenue, government support to U.S. museums ranged between 7% and 33% by museum type. However, when government administered museums are removed from the analysis, the highest proportion of public support drops to 24%. A great deal of variation lies beneath this simple estimate. Because museums of different types have widely varied operating budgets, equivalent proportions represent radically different public dollar investments. For example, while science and technology centers and history museums reported similar proportions of their operating support coming from government sources, 30% and 32% respectively, the public dollar investment is quite different. For science and technology centers in the survey, the median public support was $289,970. For history museums, the median support was $32,182.

Now Available: Zotero 1.5 Beta

The Center for History and New Media has released Zotero 1.5 Beta.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

Zotero 1.5 Features

  • Automatic synchronization of collections across multiple computers. For example, sync your PC at work with your Mac laptop and your Linux desktop at home.
  • Free automatic backup of your library data at Zotero.org.
  • Automatic synchronization of your attachment files to a server of your choice (e.g. iDisk, Jungle Disk, or university-provided web storage).
  • Recover recently deleted items with Zotero’s trash can.
  • Rich-text notes
  • New style manager allowing you to add and delete CSLs and legacy style formats
  • Automatic detection of PDF metadata (author, title, etc.)
  • Automatic detection and support for proxy servers

Digital Library Jobs: Programmer/Analyst, Variations Application Development at Indiana

The Indiana University Digital Library Program is recruiting a Programmer/Analyst, Variations Application Development.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Working as part of a small software development team for the Variations digital music library system, maintains and improves the algorithm for converting library catalog records to a FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records) model; re-architects the search subsystem within Variations to make it separable and FRBR-based; implements web-based user interfaces for the new search and cataloging features; participates in full software life cycle activities: requirements, design, implementation, testing, debugging, maintenance, and support; communicates effectively with the larger team, which includes usability and user interface design personnel and metadata specialists; and documents work and trains users as needed.

PEER (Publishing and the Ecology of European Research) Web Site Launch

The PEER (Publishing and the Ecology of European Research) project has launched its Web site.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

PEER is a pioneering collaboration between publishers, repositories and the research community, which aims to investigate the effects of the large-scale deposit (so called Green Open Access) on user access, author visibility, journal viability and the broader European research environment.

The project will run until 2011, during which time over 50,000 European stage two (accepted) manuscripts from up to 300 journals will become available for archiving.

The PEER website will serve the three key stakeholder groups of publishers, repository/library community and researchers (both as authors and readers), and will also provide information accessible to the general public.

Content will include news updates, as well as reports on various aspects of the project as PEER progresses.

E-Book Duopoly?: Chairman of the Board of Association of American Publishers on the Google Book Search Settlement

Richard Sarnoff, Chairman of the Board of Association of American Publishers, discussed the Google Book Search Copyright Class Action Settlement at Princeton University's Center for Information Technology Policy last week.

Timothy B. Lee reports on his comments in "Publisher Speculates about Amazon/Google E-Book 'Duopoly'."

Digital Library Jobs: Digital Library Services Librarian for Technical Services at UMass Boston

The University of Massachusetts Boston Joseph P. Healey Library is recruiting a Digital Library Services Librarian for Technical Services.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Digital Library Services Librarian for Technical Services assumes overall responsibility for digital library services metadata development, cataloging, and quality control policy development and maintenance in coordination with Fenway Library Online (FLO) standards and expectations. The incumbent trains, supervises, and develops all primary technical services functions in a network environment with FLO in accordance with new developing modes to acquire, access, and store information resources. This position is part of the Digital Library Services (DLS) management team which coordinates departmental policies, procedures and workflows, including technical services and how DLS functions related to other library operations and services, particularly Reference Outreach and Instruction. The incumbent supports access to Healey Library’s print and digital collections, including e-journals, e-books, blogs, pod-casts, 3-D images, virtual environments, and other web content as selected by faculty, librarians, and other stakeholders. S/he also assists in the development and maintenance of the library’s web portal. The incumbent works in coordination with the Acquisitions Coordinator and the Electronic Resources Librarian to ensure efficient and effective delivery of electronic resources to the campus community, using emerging information technologies and standards-based methods. S/he works independently with Library colleagues and community partners to develop and provide access to information and materials that support research and public needs and meet the outreach goals of the Library. S/he participates in preparing grant submissions for additional projects and maintains statistics and produces monthly reports

Digital Library Jobs: Librarian III at Houston Public Library

Houston Public Library is recruiting a Librarian III.

Here's an excerpt from the ad :

The Houston Public Library seeks an energetic, knowledgeable, self motivated, customer service driven individual to create descriptive metadata for digital images as well as texts in accordance with established standards and make accessible online. Participate in the development of policy and procedures for digitization projects and coordinate them with other departments and cultural institutions. Assist digitalization staff to manage digital content, and determine controlled vocabularies, and perform original cataloging. Monitor and maintain URL links in the Innovative Interfaces, Inc. bibliographic databases for subscribed online databases, and electronic books, eAudiobooks, and journals. Supervise one paraprofessional as well as any temporary digital collections staff. Work with manager to establish local cataloging rules and schema for digital collection.

SPARC Releases Digital Repository Videos

SPARC has released a series of videos about digital repositories.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

The video series was taped at the November 2008 SPARC repositories meeting, and underscores the central role of repositories across library services. Particular emphasis is placed on the added value they contribute to the institution and on the importance of funding repository development even in lean economic times. The clips feature three full-length plenary addresses plus seven short interviews with leading-edge repository implementers, including:

  • Ernie Ingles, Vice Provost and Chief Librarian at University of Alberta
  • Michelle Kimpton, Executive Director of the DSpace Foundation
  • Bonnie Klein, Information Collection/Copyright Specialist at the US Defense Technical Information Center
  • Catherine Mitchell, Director of the eScholarship Publishing Group at California Digital Library (CDL)
  • Sarah Shreeves, IDEALS Coordinator at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • David Shulenburger, Vice President for Academic Affairs of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC)
  • John Wilbanks, Vice President for Science at Creative Commons
  • Bob Witeck, CEO of Witeck-Combs Communications Inc.

Welsh Repository Network Launched

The Welsh Repository Network has been launched.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

The Welsh Repository Network (WRN), a network of twelve institutional repositories within each of the higher education institutions (HEI) within Wales, was launched at the National Library of Wales on Thursday 19th February, 2009. The launch celebrated the success of the WRN Project; a project funded by the JISC in association with the Wales Higher Education Library Forum (WHELF), to provide each HEI in Wales with the resources and support needed to establish and operate effective, individual institutional repositories. Each HEI was provided with funding to purchase repository hardware or to purchase a hosted repository system, along with support and assistance via the Welsh arm of the Repositories Support Project (RSP) based at Aberystwyth University.

The WRN launch celebrated the fact that the principality of Wales now has 100% coverage with respect to universities and repositories. This will allow the universities in Wales to not only preserve and protect their research, but also make available cutting edge research to the world, enabling more open dissemination of the ground breaking and world leading research undertaken across Wales through the Open Access movement.

A further deliverable of the project is the production of a suite of twelve case studies, documenting the hardware purchases of each institution (available from http://hdl.handle.net/2160/1881). As the HEIs in Wales are diverse in size and type, ranging from large research-led institutions to smaller liberal arts or specialist institutions, a variety of hardware and software solutions were required to fit with their existing infrastructures. It was hoped that creating these case studies would assist other universities to allow them to compare their profile with a case study of an institution with a similar background and infrastructure plan, and to gauge their hardware needs for repository support accordingly.