Project Manager (The University of Alabama Libraries)

• Overview:

This is a one-year renewable grant-funded position for a general librarian.

The Digitizing Alabama Newspapers Project will digitize 100,000 pages of Alabama newspapers between the years 1813-1922 in accordance with National Digital Newspaper Program standards during the grant period. Digitized Alabama newspapers will be included in the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America database www.loc.gov/chroniclingamerica. The Project Manager will manage daily operations and workflow, supervising two student workers, and coordinating the work of other staff contributing to the project. The incumbent must possess strong managerial skills, project management experience, supervisory experience, experience with and knowledge of technical standards and best practices for digitization and/or microfilm conversion projects, and knowledge of library operations including an understanding of bibliographic control methods. The incumbent will report to the Project Director.

Specific duties include:

• 60% : Manage day-to-day project operations and workflow, including assisting with the title selection process; communicating with the project Advisory Board; overseeing microfilm evaluation and metadata collection; supervising the shipment and tracking of microfilm and digital assets; maintaining regular contact with contracted vendors; supervising the technical inspection of microfilm per ISO specifications; supervising quality control checks on all digital assets created by vendors; maintaining project records; compiling statistics; preparing reports; monitoring budget; assisting with maintenance of the project website; and facilitating project publicity.
• 20% : Create and direct outreach initiatives and partnerships, including developing public relations materials and overseeing project publicity; assisting with the project website and Advisory Board wiki; promoting the project through presentations (local and state) and targeted outreach travel throughout the state; and actively participating in the NDNP user community.
• 20% : Supervise two project student workers; coordinating work of other staff contributing to the project.

Required qualifications:

• Master’s degree in library or information science from an ALA-accredited program
• Minimum of one year’s experience working in a library or archives setting
• Demonstrated experience with digitization processes
• Demonstrated understanding of microfilm to digital conversion processes
• Demonstrated knowledge of metadata practices and standards

Preferred qualifications:

• Minimum of one year’s experience as a project manager for an NDNP or other federal grant
• Substantial project management and supervisory experience
• Demonstrated strength in communication and organizational skills
• Experience with projects involving microfilm to digital conversion
• Knowledge of Alabama history and geography
• Reading knowledge of German
• Knowledge of CONSER and other Library of Congress cataloging processes
• Experience conducting outreach and instruction to K-12 educators, a university community, or the general public