Month: January 2011

Web Developer at the Free Library of Philadelphia

The Free Library of Philadelphia is recruiting a Web Developer. Starting salary: $49,054.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Web development work programming, testing, and documenting web applications for the internet and intranet websites at the Library. Create and maintain dynamic, programmed applications and HTML pages, templates, and style sheets in order to develop and maintain a comprehensive web site. Working closely with internal staff to gather and organize requirements, manage and resolve problems, and perform systems analysis is a significant aspect of the work. Work also includes database modeling, analysis, and design for Web-enabled database applications. Work is performed under the direction of an information technology manager.

| Digital Scholarship |

MIT Libraries Awarded $650,000 grant from the Library of Congress for Exhibit 3.0 Project

The MIT Libraries have been awarded a $650,000 grant from the Library of Congress for the Exhibit 3.0 Project.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

The MIT Libraries has been awarded a $650,000 grant from the Library of Congress for work in collaboration with the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) and Zepheira, Inc. on "Exhibit 3.0," a new project to redesign and expand upon Exhibit, the popular open source software tool for searching, browsing and visualizing data on the Web. The goal is to provide libraries, cultural institutions and other organizations grappling with large amounts of digital content, with an enhanced tool that is scalable and useful for data management, visualization and navigation. According to the Library of Congress, "It is the Library's intent that this work also will further contribute to the collaborative knowledge sharing among the broader communities concerned about the critical infrastructure that will ensure sustainability and accessibility of digital content over time."

"This innovative work has already made a considerable impact on digital content communities whose data is diverse and complex. The visualizations bring new understanding to users and curators alike," said Martha Anderson, Director of the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program at the Library of Congress. "We're extremely fortunate to have the support of the Library of Congress on this important research," said Ann Wolpert, director of the MIT Libraries. "Our hope is that Exhibit 3.0 will be a useful tool in tackling the daunting challenge all libraries face in ensuring the future sustainability and accessibility of our digital content."

Exhibit was originally developed as part of the MIT Simile Project (simile.mit.edu), an ambitious collaboration of the MIT Libraries, the MIT CSAIL, and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to explore applications of the Semantic Web to problems of information management across both large-scale digital libraries and small-scale personal collections. Exhibit runs inside a Web browser and supports many types of information using common Web standards for data publishing. Since its release, Exhibit has been used by thousands of websites worldwide across a range of diverse industries including cultural heritage, libraries, publishers, medical research, life science and government. Most recently Exhibit has been used by DATA.GOV (http://data.gov/), an Open Government Initiative by President Obama's administration to increase public access to high value data generated by the Executive Branch of the Federal Government. The application has been used to help demonstrate new ways of visualizing government data. . . .

The Exhibit 3.0 project will redesign and re-implement Exhibit to scale from small collections to very large data collections of the magnitude created by the Library of Congress and its National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP). The redesigned Exhibit will be as simple to use as the current tool but more scalable, more modular, and easier to integrate into a variety of information management systems and websites—offering an improved user experience.

In addition to the Library of Congress, the MIT Libraries and other organizations that manage large quantities of data will collaborate on the project for their own collections. A major focus of the project will be to build a lively community around Exhibit, of both users of the software and software developers, to help continuously improve the open source tool. Another aspect of the new project will incorporate research by students at MIT's CSAIL (Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab) on personal information management. The research will focus on improving the user experience working with data in Exhibit, and incorporating new data visualization techniques that allow users to explore data in novel ways. "Impressive data-interactive sites abound on the web, but right now you need a team of developers to create them. Exhibit demonstrated that authoring data-interactive sites can be as easy as authoring a static web page. With Exhibit 3.0 we can move from a prototype to a robust platform that anyone can use to author (not program) rich interactive information visualizations that effectively communicate with their users," said David Karger, computer science professor with CSAIL.

The project will begin in January for a period of one year, and a new website and other communication channels will be publicized soon. For more information see http://similewidgets.org/exhibit3.

| Digital Scholarship |

Metadata Librarian at University of Colorado at Boulder

The University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries are recruiting a Metadata Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Reporting to the Faculty Director of Cataloging and Metadata Services, the Metadata Librarian is responsible for metadata creation and analysis of digital resources within the Libraries and/or for the campus community. The position may play a significant consultative role for metadata provision for the campus community. In furtherance of the Libraries' mission and departmental goals, the individual in this position may teach others in the library about metadata provision and provide metadata support to the campus community. The Metadata Librarian is a member of the tenure-stream Libraries faculty. Significant parts of the responsibilities of this position are scholarly activity and creative work and service in keeping with the tenure standards of the University of Colorado at Boulder.

| Digital Scholarship |

GIS Programmer & Infrastructure Developer at Princeton University

The Princeton University Library is recruiting a GIS Programmer & Infrastructure Developer.

Here's an excerpt from the ad (requisition number: 0110026 ):

The position will work with the GIS and Map Librarian to develop and update the Library's GIS and Map Collections website, and to design the search and discovery infrastructure and interface to the Library's Digital Map and Geographic Data Portal. It will also be responsible for helping the GIS and Map Librarian to coordinate map digitization projects, assist with writing scripts to perform specialized GIS analysis, and develop geospatial web applications to view, analyze, and update geospatial information. It is also responsible for helping to install, maintain, and update the Library's Digital Map and Geographic Data Portal software packages, such as ArcSDE, GeoServer, SQL database, JP2 Image Server, and may also be assigned other digital library projects as the need arises. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the GIS and Map Librarian, GIS personnel at OIT, Library curators of historic map collections, Library Digital Initiatives Team, Library GIS Centers at peer institutions. The position reports to the Library Systems Office.

| Digital Scholarship |

Privacy Considerations in Cloud-Based Teaching and Learning Environments

The EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative has released Privacy Considerations in Cloud-Based Teaching and Learning Environments.

Here's an excerpt:

In this white paper, we outline the privacy issues relevant to using cloud-based instructional tools or cloud-based teaching and learning environments for faculty members and those supporting instruction. Our discussion of how teaching and learning in an increasingly technological environment has transformed the way we interact and interpret FERPA will help inform various choices that institutions can consider to best address the law, including policy and best-practice examples. We highlight practical suggestions for how faculty members can continue to use innovative instructional strategies and engage students while considering privacy issues. Finally, this paper discusses ways to further explore and address privacy locally and includes a comprehensive resource list for further reading.

| Digital Scholarship |

Web Services Librarian at Montana State University

The Montana State University Libraries are recruiting a Web Services Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Montana State University Libraries seeks a Web Services Librarian to explore, test, implement, and support our library’s web-based applications. The Web Services Librarian is responsible for oversight of MSU Libraries’ website as well as the support and development of library web applications. The Web Services Librarian is a member of the Digital Access and Web Services (DAWS) team, works closely with all teams within MSU Libraries, and will report to the Associate Dean. We are looking for a candidate with a strong customer service focus and commitment to innovation. Technical responsibilities include significant web programming and database work. Design and accessibility responsibilities include web design, troubleshooting, and ongoing site development, maintenance, and evaluation. The position also has a variety of leadership and project management responsibilities including coordinating and facilitating communication between library teams and university departments, developing project specifications and documentation, and conducting project evaluations. Some involvement with students, faculty, and staff in a public service capacity is expected.

| Digital Scholarship |

DataCite Metadata Scheme for the Publication and Citation of Research Data, Version 2.0 Released

DataCite has released the DataCite Metadata Scheme for the Publication and Citation of Research Data, Version 2.0.

Here's an excerpt:

The DataCite Metadata Scheme is a list of core metadata properties chosen for the accurate and consistent identification of data for citation and retrieval purposes, along with recommended use instructions. At a minimum, the mandatory metadata scheme properties must be provided at the time of identifier registration. Data centres and other submitters may also choose to use the optional properties to identify their data more clearly. This metadata scheme can fulfill several key functions in support of the larger goals of DataCite. Primarily these are:

  • recommending a standard citation format for datasets, based on a small number of properties required for identifier registration;
  • providing the basis for interoperability with other data management schemas;
  • promoting dataset discovery with optional properties allowing for flexible description of the resource, including its relationship to other resources;
  • and, laying the groundwork for future services (e.g., discovery) through the use of controlled terms from both a DataCite vocabulary and external vocabularies as applicable. The DataCite vocabularies will be administered by the DataCite Metadata Supervisor who will establish and publicize procedures for submitting changes.

| Digital Scholarship |

Twitter Updates for 1/25/11

| Digital Scholarship |

Twitter Updates for 2011-01-24

$500 Million in U.S. Department of Labor Grants Will Include Support for Open Educational Resources under Creative Commons BY License

The White House has announced the solicitation of the initial grants in the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program. About $500 million in grant funding will be available in the first round of grants.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan ushered in a new era of hope and opportunity for millions of Americans today when they revealed the innovative application criteria for the first $500 million in grants under the four-year, $2 billion Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program. Grants will support the development and improvement of a new generation of free, post-secondary educational programs of two years or less that prepare students for successful careers in emerging and expanding industries.

This effort, which was developed and designed in consultation with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, sets the stage for what promises to become one of the most significant expansions in access to high-quality education and job training opportunities ever. These new investments will also play a major role in helping the Nation achieve the goal set by President Obama last year that by 2020 the United States will once again have the most highly educated workforce in the world.

But what matters most is what these new freely-available resources will mean to individuals.

By relying on evidence-based approaches and requiring that all materials produced be openly licensed for free use, adaptation, and improvement by others, this groundbreaking federal effort will bring free, high-quality curriculum and employment training opportunities within reach of anyone who has access to the Internet.

Open Educational Resources are learning materials that have been released under an intellectual property license that allows their free use by others. The materials produced as a result of these grants will carry the Creative Commons BY license, which also permits their free derivative use for commercial purposes. That means companies, schools, entrepreneurs, and others will be free to bundle,adapt, or customize the learning materials to create new offerings, products, and services. Schools will be able to affordably offer courses in subject areas and at levels of expertise previously beyond their reach. Students will be able to access free educational materials, including complete courses, and supportive services designed to help them accomplish their educational and job-training goals.

Millions of students around the world have already benefited from Open Educational Resources in the decade since then-Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) President Charles Vest established MIT's pioneering OpenCourseWare project, the first of its type, based on a proposal from members of his faculty. The goal, Vest explained in 2001, was to make all of the learning materials used by MIT's faculty in the school's 1,800 courses available via the Internet, where they could be used and repurposed as desired by others without charge.

| Digital Scholarship |

Web Applications Librarian at DePaul University

The DePaul University Libraries are recruiting a Web Applications Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Librarian (2) will report to the Web Services Coordinator and under the general direction of the Associate Director for Library Information and Discovery Systems, will serve as an integral member of the DePaul Libraries Web Services team in developing cutting-edge online library services including a complex library website, mobile site, LibGuides, and content management systems including CONTENTdm and our Digital Commons institutional repository. In addition to supporting online development initiatives, the Librarian (2) will serve 4-6 hours per week as a reference librarian.

| Digital Scholarship |

Open Content Licensing Tool: Risk Management Calculator

The OER IPR Support Project has released the Risk Management Calculator.

Here's an excerpt from the press release :

As more and more open content finds its way online, licensing and rights have become a key issue on a global level.

Licensing is complex and the more open you make content under an end user licence the greater the risk if you haven't sought the necessary permissions. In partnership with the Higher Education Academy, JISC is funding a support project on IPR and licensing issues for Open Educational Resources. The latest addition to their suite of support resources is a new tool—the Risk Management Calculator—designed to help understand levels of risk associated with publishing open educational materials. Typical examples of this might include materials which are still in copyright, but for which the rights holders cannot be traced or are unknown (so called "Orphan Works"). The calculator helps those relatively new to licensing to make the right decisions when creating open content. . . .

More and more organisations are realising the benefits of releasing their content under Creative Commons Licences, or similar open content licences such as the Open Government Licence, which explicitly grant the end-user permission to use materials, modify or redistribute them. Institutions like the British Library are releasing their bibliographic records to be reused without attribution and Creative Commons Licences are increasingly used by developing countries to open up content.

| Digital Scholarship |

Data Curation Librarian at Northeastern University

The Northeastern University Libraries are recruiting a Data Curation Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad (position number: 04012479):

Are you interested in applying your skills to a new area of information management and working alongside world-class researchers as you do so? Do you think about the future of libraries, open-access to research data, and digital repository services? If so, consider becoming our data curation librarian!

As part of the Digital Library Management department, the Data Curation Librarian provides a wide range of curatorial services, including data documentation, assistance with developing appropriate data management plans, and preparation of data for storage in Northeastern's digital repository service.

The successful candidate will work closely with colleagues in the Libraries and across campus to play a leading role in ensuring Northeastern's compliance with data curation mandates as well as promoting open access to Northeastern produced research data. He or she will be responsible for developing and maintaining a robust and integrated set of programs and activities that strengthen the Library's role in supporting data-intensive research and researchers at Northeastern as well as meeting the secondary data analysis needs across all disciplines.

| Digital Scholarship |

"Digital Preservation Outreach and Education (DPOE) Training Needs Assessment Survey: Executive Summary"

The Library of Congress Digital Preservation Outreach and Education (DPOE) initiative has released the "Digital Preservation Outreach and Education (DPOE) Training Needs Assessment Survey: Executive Summary."

Here's an excerpt from the announcement :

The survey was conducted in summer and fall 2010 by the Library’s Digital Preservation Outreach and Education initiative which seeks to foster outreach, education and collaboration nationwide to encourage organizations to preserve their digital content, regardless of staff or budget size or location.

The survey received 868 responses. Of the respondents, 40% were libraries, 34% were archives and 16% were museums. The rest consisted of state and local governments, corporations, nonprofit organizations, parks, and churches.

Among the survey’s major findings:

  • Just over half of the organizations who responded to the survey have less than 25 employees.
  • Only about one-third of respondents had full-time or part-time paid staff dedicated to digital preservation duties. One-half of respondents assigned digital preservation to various staff on an as-needed basis, one-fifth had no staff for this function, and one-tenth used volunteers (figures have been rounded off).
  • Among potential subject areas for digital preservation training, the most important area to respondents was technical training. Management planning, project management and strategic training all tied for second place.
  • The most preferred format for receiving training was small, in-person workshops. Proximity was significant—onsite training was the first choice, with training within a 100-mile radius the second choice.
  • A half-day to a full day was the most preferred length for training.
  • Digital content holdings for almost 95 percent of respondents consisted entirely of digitized versions of already-held collections (typically, paper-based materials), and about 5 percent of holdings were "born digital" content.

Some general observations can be gleaned from the survey. Most organizations only work on digital preservation when it is needed; few devote a full-time staff member to such duties. Most are digitizing paper collections rather than preserving "born digital" data. Short sessions of practical training are most needed; training should be provided on-site because most respondents are small organizations with limited training budgets.

| Digital Scholarship |

Twitter Updates for 2011-01-23

Twitter Updates for 2011-01-21

Twitter Updates for 2011-01-20

Supervisory IT Specialist at Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is recruiting a Supervisory IT Specialist. Salary: $105,211-$136,771.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Administers and manages information technology (IT) projects for major office or program issues of broad impact. Designs and implements novel initiatives and projects to strengthen, facilitate, and integrate programs. Initiates or participates in special projects, ongoing analyses, investigations and initiatives with high priority for high-level management. Projects and initiatives may involve producing complex analyses and written reports; organizing special committees, workshops, or other meetings; initiating program reviews; developing or fostering cross-agency activities.

Provides expert technical counsel and advice for implementing, maintaining, enhancing, and coordinating online systems and internet Web site(s) that manage and provide access to Library digital collections. Coordinates and participates in planning, designing, development, testing, and implementation of organizational Web site(s).

Designs and develops directives to implement high-level policy modifications impacting technology resource requirements. Evaluates statutory requirements against existing Library directives to assess and make necessary changes to ensure compliance with new requirements. Coordinates comments on revised directives as part of the review process and incorporates comments or resolves issues for final directives.

| Digital Scholarship |

Mary Alice Baish Named Assistant Public Printer, Superintendent of Documents

Mary Alice Baish has been named Assistant Public Printer, Superintendent of Documents for the U.S. Government Printing Office.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

Public Printer Bill Boarman has named Mary Alice Baish Assistant Public Printer, Superintendent of Documents, for the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). This position is the agency's lead in guaranteeing permanent public access to Government information published by the three branches of the Federal Government. Baish will oversee GPO's Library Services & Content Management unit, Publication & Information Sales unit and the management of GPO's Federal Digital System, which is a one-stop site to authentic, published Government information. In her role, Baish will work with more than 1,200 Federal depository libraries nationwide, through the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), to ensure Government information is available in all forms to the public. . . .

Throughout Baish's career, she has worked with all sectors of the library community, testifying before Congressional committees on behalf of GPO, and has been a leading voice in developing electronic systems to disseminate Government information. Prior to her appointment at GPO, she previously served as the Director of Government Relations for the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL), a nonprofit educational organization that serves the information needs of the legal community. Baish has worked closely with Congressional committees, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Federal agencies and the Administration in developing policies and legislation that promote the needs of libraries, the legal community and the American public. She is among the founding members of OpenTheGovernment.org (OTG.org), an organization created to promote democracy and end Government secrecy. She has worked with OTG.org, the White House and Office of Management and Budget in implementing President Obama's Open Government Directive and with auditing agency Open Government Plans. She has written and spoken extensively about egovernment information policy and is a past member of the Depository Library Council to the Public Printer.

She is a resident of Fairfax Station, VA, and holds a master's degree in Library and Information Studies from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and an Ed.M. from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

| Digital Scholarship |

Digital Services Librarian at Dickinson College Library

The Dickinson College Library is recruiting a Digital Services Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad (posting number: 0600314):

The Digital Services Librarian will lead the Library in identifying and incorporating innovative uses of technology in all areas of library services. The ideal candidate is a librarian with 3-5 years of relevant experience who is equally comfortable with both traditional academic library services and with new and emerging technologies for libraries and higher education. We are seeking someone who enjoys experimenting with technology and who can envision and articulate innovative uses of technology in an academic library setting. The ideal candidate will possess the enthusiasm for exploring new products and processes in a rapidly changing environment; the ability to implement them; the analytical skills to critically assess their effectiveness; and the flexibility to adapt them as needed. Of necessity, this role requires someone who is a strong collaborator and who is able to communicate effectively with librarians, IT professionals, faculty, students, and staff. The ideal candidate will be proactive in recommending improvements in library services and resource delivery, and be effective in leading project teams. A well-established liaison librarian program underpins our strong information literacy and collection development initiatives. As a liaison to several academic departments, the Digital Services Librarian will possess the strong teaching and outreach skills necessary for success in these central activities.

| Digital Scholarship |

"Data Preservation in High Energy Physics"

David M. South has self-archived "Data Preservation in High Energy Physics" in arXiv.org.

Here's an excerpt:

Data from high-energy physics (HEP) experiments are collected with significant financial and human effort and are in many cases unique. At the same time, HEP has no coherent strategy for data preservation and re-use, and many important and complex data sets are simply lost. In a period of a few years, several important and unique experimental programs will come to an end, including those at HERA, the b-factories and at the Tevatron. An inter-experimental study group on HEP data preservation and long-term analysis (DPHEP) was formed and a series of workshops were held to investigate this issue in a systematic way. The physics case for data preservation and the preservation models established by the group are presented, as well as a description of the transverse global projects and strategies already in place.

| Digital Scholarship |

Digital Services Librarian at San José State University

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library at San José State University is recruiting a Digital Services Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The successful applicant will provide vision and direction for a growing suite of services supporting scholarship; provide support in the continued development and management of the digital archives; keep current with the latest technologies, and develop and implement ideas for applications in new and current services; provide expertise and leadership for current and future SJSU e-scholarship projects such as electronic journal publishing and data curation; provide expertise on intellectual property issues; maintain awareness and develop in-depth knowledge of new technology, relevant national standards and best practices related to digitization and scholarship; and coordinate resource management and training for digitization and associated standards. Ability to work cooperatively and maintain effective, creative, and flexible working relationships with colleagues, faculty, staff and students. Incumbent will serve at the reference desk and provide some classroom instruction, with some evening and weekend hour assignments. Works closely and cooperatively with the Director of Special Collections and Archives, Technical Services Manager and Collection Development Coordinator.

| Digital Scholarship |

E-journals: Their Use, Value and Impact—Final Report

The Research Information Network has released E-journals: Their Use, Value and Impact—Final Report.

Here's an excerpt:

The objectives for this second phase of the study were:

  1. to establish a deeper understanding of what lies behind the patterns of use and information-seeking behaviour portrayed in the logs to answer questions such as:
    • why do users spend so little time on each visit?
    • why do researchers use gateway sites?
    • why do few researchers use advanced searching?
    • do high levels of use imply high levels of user satisfaction?
  2. to investigate reasons for the diversity in information-seeking behaviour and usage shown in the logs, especially with regard to research status and seniority, institutional size and research strength, and subject or discipline.
  3. to determine how online searching and use of e-journals relates to researchers' general behaviour in seeking and using information, and to scholarly and research workflows.
  4. to investigate further the relationships between levels of expenditure on journals, levels of use, and research outcomes (e.g., does good e-journal provision drive research outcomes, or do libraries benefit from the additional revenue that research success creates?).
  5. to analyse any trends in author referencing behaviour over a long period, and to investigate whether these have changed alongside the development of easier access to scholarly literature.

| Digital Scholarship |

Daily Tweets 2011-01-19

Scholarly Communication Librarian at Oregon Health & Science University

The Oregon Health & Science University Library is recruiting a Scholarly Communication Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad (job: IRC32413):

The Scholarly Communication Librarian will provide a leadership role within the OHSU Library and OHSU community in support of scholarly services and digital initiatives. The position will provide outreach and promotional activities pertaining to the scholarly work product of students, faculty and staff at OHSU, including the promotion of the Library's Digital Resources Library; explore new opportunities for publication; provide support services; and assist individuals in interacting with editors and publishers of their work; analyze and select alternative methods of providing access; support e-science initiatives; and provide community support regarding government deposit mandates. As a member of the Library Faculty, the Scholarly Communication Librarian participates in planning, policy formation and decision-making relating to health sciences services, collections and technologies. This position requires scholarship and service that contributes to the effectiveness of the Library, the University, and the profession

| Digital Scholarship |