Job Information
University of Pennsylvania eResource and Access Librarian in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
eResource and Access Librarian
Job Profile Title
Librarian C
Job Description Summary
About the Penn Libraries
The Penn Libraries provides a network of information resources and knowledge services that are vital to teaching, research, and learning at the University of Pennsylvania. This network includes 19 physical libraries, recognized for their collections, and a digital library known for innovation and richness of content. Through dynamic programming and exhibitions, and through the acquisition and preservation of literary and artistic artifacts, the Penn Libraries documents a wealth of social and historical periods, bringing scholarship to life at the University and in the various communities it serves.
University of Pennsylvania Libraries seeks an energetic and organized individual to support the research, teaching and learning mission of the Libraries by participating in the workflow related to managing the life cycle of the Libraries’ electronic resources, including acquisition, licensing, discovery, access, maintenance, and evaluation.
Embedded in the Acquisitions, Access and Licensing (AAL) Department at the University of Pennsylvania Libraries, the eResource and Access Librarian ensures access to and support for robust, distinctive and innovative collecting, efficient and careful acquisition and maintenance of online resources, and intuitive, accurate, and stable networked access to the library’s extensive online collections. Successful candidates will have excellent communication skills and bring a strong analytical and creative approach to interactions with data, people, and workflows.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities
Contribute to e-resource work of licensing, purchase, maintenance, access, renewal or cancellation workflows, analysis and decisions.
Use knowledge of e-resources, licensing and access models to create and maintain accurate metadata across access systems, including the KnowledgeBase (CKB), the integrated library management system (Alma), and remote access and authentication products and processes, (EZproxy and Lean Library).
Support user access and discovery to e-resources; analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve issues with a variety of remote access and authentication products.
Investigate and work collaboratively to address standard and emergent discovery and access problems and ongoing needs, resolve access issues, communicate status to appropriate user communities, and analyze problem trends and exceptions to provide problem resolution.
Proactively support the development and maintenance of standard and emerging access paths and workflows, ensuring compliance with the University and industry-wide standards.
Create, audit, and analyze data to support and inform collection development and budgetary decisions, and collaborate with key partners across the Libraries to continuously improve access.
Plays an active role in e-resource related projects and initiatives as assigned.
Support Libraries’ initiatives in areas of privacy, access or related areas.
Stays abreast of emerging trends and best practices related to e-resource.
Required Qualifications
Librarian B - Master's and 2-3 years of experience required, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Librarian C - Master's and 3-5 years required, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Graduate degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association, and two to three years relevant professional library experience, in e-Resource; acquisitions and management, access set-up and troubleshooting, metadata creation and/or management required.
Conceptual and practical knowledge of the technologies and tools used to provide access to or discovery of electronic resources in an academic or research library.
Experience with various modules of an integrated library system, especially as they relate to e-resources management and acquisitions.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a highly collaborative setting, communicate objectives, document and solve problems promptly, and appropriately prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity and understanding of the contributions a diverse workforce brings to the workplace. Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
Ability to communicate professionally, promptly, and consistently, verbally and in writing, with a broad range of internal and external audiences; ability to tailor message(s) to the circumstances and audience.
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated ability to work with and implement standard, emerging and special credentialing and authentication methods used in academic libraries; ability to troubleshoot and resolve e-resource access issues.
Experience with Alma is highly desired as is Alma Administration Certification.
Experience licensing and/or maintaining metadata regarding eresources in an Academic setting.
Knowledge and understanding of industry-wide issues and practices related to e-resource access, discovery, licensing, acquisitions, use, and management.
Demonstrated abilities in problem solving, organization, and analytical skills.
Application Requirement
A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
University Library
Pay Range
$51,824.00 - $75,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.
Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.
Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay
The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.