Job Purpose
To develop and maintain digital collections and discovery applications to support the University’s research and educational ambitions. This will entail enhancing existing systems and advising on appropriate solutions, designing and developing new functionality or features to meet objectives, and providing operational support across all library and library adjacent systems. A particular focus for the postholder will be Archives & Special Collections’ collection management systems, the collections discovery applications, and digital preservation solutions.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Contribute to the technical development of key digital service functionality, working closely with the Head of Collections Discovery & Systems and liaising with colleagues in IT Services to ensure IT infrastructure in support of these services.
2. Actively support maintenance and development of Library Collections systems, including collection management, discovery, and preservation systems, ensuring they demonstrate sector leading functionality and are at the forefront of global digital archive and collection innovations.
3. Work closely with the Digital Library Team, and across Information Services more generally, to develop front-end solutions and support the creation of new system integrations with third party services or APIs, while also ensuring the maintenance of existing local integrations.
4. Undertake configuration changes to systems which may impact multiple functional areas/teams, and/or which require in-depth system knowledge to perform safely.
5. Collaborate with colleagues within the Digital Library Team to deliver coordinated improvements to the Library’s combined digital service offering and support the implementation of digital preservation workflows and system integrations.
6. Working with the Head of Collections Discovery & Systems, contribute to the investigation, consultation, and implementation of new technical solutions that harness data from collection and archive systems, while ensuring streamlined capture, discovery, and access.
7. Perform an enabling role in ensuring optimum levels of service continuity and uptime, including enablement of business-as-usual cyber security measures across relevant systems.
8. Scrutinise collection discovery efficacy across services, identifying and monitoring possible issues arising from data quality variability, system performance, and other issues arising from search agent interactions.
9. Support the continuous improvement of accessibility across services to ensure equitable access to content, making necessary technical interventions on systems where necessary.
10. Regularly monitor, review, and evaluate new developments in the HEI sector, regarding digital collections and archives, and discovery services. Provide advice, making informed recommendations to senior colleagues on new services and potential development opportunities.
11. Participate and share knowledge or expertise in external working groups, contributing to the codebase of relevant open-source solutions via Git repositories, and demonstrating commitment to the health of open software communities.
12. Demonstrate commitment to continuous personal development and self-directed learning, including in the development of technical skills, knowledge, and understanding.
13. Undertake prioritised projects to support Library Collections’ activities towards Information Services strategic plan and University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.