Digital Humanities Librarian
Position Overview
*This position has the option of a hybrid work arrangement. Incumbent may work remotely and on campus based on a set departmental schedule.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 am to 5 pm
The Digital Humanities Librarian collaborates with faculty, staff, and students on the use of digital humanities (DH) scholarship, tools, and methods. Duties will include project consulting and development, working with course instructors to incorporate DH into the classroom, and providing training for faculty, staff, and students in digital humanities tools and methods. The position requires a broad familiarity with the digital humanities, including the capacity of the field to amplify stories by and about underrepresented groups. Working closely with colleagues as a part of the Institute for Digital Research in the Humanities (IDRH) and KU Libraries, the successful applicant will contribute to a collaborative approach to digital scholarship that raises the visibility of digital humanities on campus and enhances KU’s reputation in the DH community.
Situated in KU Libraries and reporting to the librarian co-director of the IDRH, the Digital Humanities Librarian is a key member of the IDRH staff, collaborating closely with the IDRH co-directors and other stakeholders to shape the vision of the IDRH, set and assess goals, and provide a range of services, programming, and support for digital humanities research.
The IDRH supports, creates, and disseminates digital research in the humanities (DH). Established in 2010 as a partnership between KU Libraries, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the Hall Center for the Humanities, the IDRH provides an intellectual hub for DH and fosters an interdisciplinary conversation across the university community. Led by a co-director from KU Libraries and a co-director from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, IDRH aims to build a flourishing environment for innovative exploration at the intersection of digital technology and humanities research by providing resources and training in the practices and tools of DH. Promoting public scholarship and partnership-building, the IDRH facilitates externally funded research and welcomes everyone, from the curious to the novice to the expert. Major IDRH initiatives include a DH Fellows program for KU faculty and students; a public-facing DH colloquium; offering regular workshops in DH tools and methods; providing grants for research and teaching; project consulting and partnerships; and externally funded grant initiatives in the digital humanities.
We encourage candidates who meet the minimum requirements to apply. There are multiple paths to success, and we are committed to supporting professional development and growth in this position.
The University of Kansas Libraries support a safe and inclusive environment for all members of our diverse communities at KU. We are committed to building a diverse and pluralistic workforce and strongly encourage applications from diverse candidates. This position demonstrates a commitment to advancing diversity efforts in the libraries and contributes to an inclusive environment.
This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty position. Rank considerations are based on professional performance, research, and service experience sufficient to qualify for appointment at the rank of Assistant Librarian or Associate Librarian. See the Libraries Criteria for Academic Ranks document: http://policy.ku.edu/libraries/criteria-academic-ranks-library-faculty
Additional information about the Libraries promotion and tenure procedures can be found at the following website: http://policy.ku.edu/libraries/promotion-and-tenure-procedures-faculty-university-kansas-libraries
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 am to 5 pm
The Digital Humanities Librarian collaborates with faculty, staff, and students on the use of digital humanities (DH) scholarship, tools, and methods. Duties will include project consulting and development, working with course instructors to incorporate DH into the classroom, and providing training for faculty, staff, and students in digital humanities tools and methods. The position requires a broad familiarity with the digital humanities, including the capacity of the field to amplify stories by and about underrepresented groups. Working closely with colleagues as a part of the Institute for Digital Research in the Humanities (IDRH) and KU Libraries, the successful applicant will contribute to a collaborative approach to digital scholarship that raises the visibility of digital humanities on campus and enhances KU’s reputation in the DH community.
Situated in KU Libraries and reporting to the librarian co-director of the IDRH, the Digital Humanities Librarian is a key member of the IDRH staff, collaborating closely with the IDRH co-directors and other stakeholders to shape the vision of the IDRH, set and assess goals, and provide a range of services, programming, and support for digital humanities research.
The IDRH supports, creates, and disseminates digital research in the humanities (DH). Established in 2010 as a partnership between KU Libraries, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the Hall Center for the Humanities, the IDRH provides an intellectual hub for DH and fosters an interdisciplinary conversation across the university community. Led by a co-director from KU Libraries and a co-director from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, IDRH aims to build a flourishing environment for innovative exploration at the intersection of digital technology and humanities research by providing resources and training in the practices and tools of DH. Promoting public scholarship and partnership-building, the IDRH facilitates externally funded research and welcomes everyone, from the curious to the novice to the expert. Major IDRH initiatives include a DH Fellows program for KU faculty and students; a public-facing DH colloquium; offering regular workshops in DH tools and methods; providing grants for research and teaching; project consulting and partnerships; and externally funded grant initiatives in the digital humanities.
We encourage candidates who meet the minimum requirements to apply. There are multiple paths to success, and we are committed to supporting professional development and growth in this position.
The University of Kansas Libraries support a safe and inclusive environment for all members of our diverse communities at KU. We are committed to building a diverse and pluralistic workforce and strongly encourage applications from diverse candidates. This position demonstrates a commitment to advancing diversity efforts in the libraries and contributes to an inclusive environment.
This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty position. Rank considerations are based on professional performance, research, and service experience sufficient to qualify for appointment at the rank of Assistant Librarian or Associate Librarian. See the Libraries Criteria for Academic Ranks document: http://policy.ku.edu/libraries/criteria-academic-ranks-library-faculty
Additional information about the Libraries promotion and tenure procedures can be found at the following website: http://policy.ku.edu/libraries/promotion-and-tenure-procedures-faculty-university-kansas-libraries
Job Description
Professional Responsibilities 70%
- Consults with students, faculty, and staff on digital humanities projects, providing technical expertise and support for DH methods. Consultations are designed to empower faculty and graduate students to pursue their own research and teaching.
- Offers introductory training in DH tools and methods. Oversees and executes hands-on workshops, training sessions, and seminars for faculty and graduate students.
- Develops and delivers DH content for graduate and undergraduate courses and works with instructors to integrate DH skills into course learning outcomes.
- Designs and develops programmatic materials and content to support IDRH programs and activities to foster engagement of students, faculty, staff and community partners.
- Understands the potential benefits and liabilities of various digital platforms and tools and communicates them clearly to a range of audiences.
- Creates and maintains project documentation.
- Independently coordinates and executes a variety of IDRH programs and events, which may include grant funded programs, in collaboration with IDRH co-directors. Contributes to IDRH funding proposals.
- Participates in the development of IDRH goals and objectives.
- Joins the IDRH in a leadership role, participating in the planning, administration, and execution of IDRH events and programming.
- Assesses and reports on IDRH program outcomes.
- Engages with KU Libraries colleagues to enhance and coordinate digital scholarship support. Participates in services and programs such as Research Sprints, Information Literacy Mini-Grants, and Software Carpentry.
- Advances the libraries’ priorities and strategic directions through participation on project teams and/or task forces.
- Demonstrates a commitment to advancing diversity efforts in the libraries and contributes to an inclusive environment. KU Libraries embraces diversity and inclusion and this position will contribute to a climate that supports and reflects our community of students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds.
- Contributes to the profession’s collective knowledge by engaging in scholarly research activity.
- Research may involve the publication of articles, books, book reviews, grant-supported inquiry, or editorial work (see Promotion and Tenure Procedures at KU, Spring 2017).
- Engages in service to the Libraries, the University and to professional organizations by participating in committee work, projects, and other contributory achievements.
Required Qualifications
- ALA-accredited master’s degree in Library/Information Science or equivalent from a foreign institution by date of appointment.
- One year of experience with one or more digital scholarship methods, as demonstrated through professional experience or coursework, which may include but are not limited to: digital exhibits, digital archives, data visualization, text analysis, digital storytelling, network analysis, text encoding as evidenced in the application.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with one or more tools or platforms for creating scholarly digital projects, which may include but are not limited to Omeka, ArcGIS StoryMaps, Hypothes.is, Scalar, or Jekyll.
- Experience with web development and/or programming tools, which may include by are not limited to: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, R, Git, Jupyter Notebook.
- Experience working with structured data formats, which may include but are not limited to JSON, XML, CSV, relational databases.
- Knowledge of current trends and resources in the digital humanities.
- Experience with grant proposal development.
- Experience developing and delivering workshops, instruction sessions, and other training.
- Experience working collegially and collaboratively in a team environment.
Additional Candidate Instructions
A complete online application includes:
- Cover letter addressing how you meet the required qualifications.
- Resume/CV.
- Contact information for three professional references (including at least one previous or current supervisor).
- Describe your experiences working with people from diverse backgrounds, and explain how those experiences reflect your commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Contact Information to Applicants
Tonia Morgan
morgt@ku.edu
morgt@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
Minimum salary $58,000, final determination commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
Monday August 21, 2023
Anticipated Start Date
Monday October 2, 2023