The Learn & Work Ecosystem Library is seeking a Part-Time Librarian for 2023-2024.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the Library is to acquire and make available, through a free web-based database, content related to the ever-changing landscape of the learn-and-work ecosystem — that is, the interdependent systems of education, training, career, and workforce. Library users include K-12 schools, colleges and universities, professional associations, certification bodies, industry groups, students, employers, employees, job seekers, policymakers, accreditors, foundations, researchers, government, etc.
The Library is designed to inform users about the U.S. learn-and-work ecosystem with four types of content:
- Topics: key components and sub-components in the ecosystem including links to other websites and referrals for further information; definitions of terms (Glossary); and index (ontology).
- Key initiatives/projects working in these areas, to improve aspects of the ecosystem.
- Networks/alliances/intermediaries focused on various of those components.
- Archive of key historical documents and languishing or disappearing websites.
The digital, wiki model prototype Library was launched December 1, 2022 by the Credential As You Go initiative, a collaborative effort of the Program on Skills, Credentials & Workforce Policy at George Washington University (PSCWP), the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (Ann Arbor), and SUNY Empire State University.
The Library is a key component of Credential As You Go, a national initiative which is establishing an evidence-based scale-up of incremental credentialing to support structural transformation of the U.S. legacy degree system that no longer adequately serves the needs of learners and employers. Credential As You Go is also conducting a national campaign to message the need for redesign of the postsecondary system and has built a website to support the work. The Library is designed as a critical component of improving how education, policymakers, quality assurance entities, and employers work together to improve the learn-and-work ecosystem – through better information.
The Library has two roles: (1) to support Credential As You Go which has increasing needs for information on how to transform the current credentialing system to a fairer system – calling on all the building blocks in the ecosystem; and (2) to support the many other efforts working to improve the learn-and-work ecosystem.
The Credential As You Go National Advisory Board (135+ members) and a Library Advisory Board (established Fall 2021) help ensure that the Library’s design and contents are useful to audiences, expand library partnerships, and develop sustainability plans. Core seed funding through an anonymous donor fund to the GW-PSCWP has supported supports the Library’s prototype development. The U.S. Department of Education’s IES grant to SUNY Empire State University for Credential as You Go also helps support the Library’s development.
In summer 2023, the Library entered into a collaboration agreement with the nonprofit organization, 1EdTech, to explore next-phase transition and expansion.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the guidance of the Library Directors, the librarian will:
- Curate and maintain the Library collection, including establishing and maintaining a timeline for continuous review of the collection; updating and revising content including assisting CURE, the Library’s tech vendor, in the incorporation of ‘auto’ update capacity vs. manual; and conducting use cases for various stakeholder groups using the Library.
- Make changes in Library content in the backend of the Library hosted by CURE.
- Serve as point of contact for inquiries by stakeholders on the inclusion of new content to the Library in accordance with the Library Collection Management Policy.
- Develop, grow, and sustain relationships with stakeholders in the Library ecosystem.
- Regularly review new Library submissions and evaluate content for inclusion in the collection in accordance with the Library Collection Management Policy (see below).
- Regularly review conferences, journals, newsletters, publications, and websites to identify new content areas for the Library.
- Provide regular updates to the Library Advisory Board, the Credential As You Go initiative, 1EdTech, and other groups interested in the Library’s growth and development through written updates, weekly dashboard of analytics, Newsletter, and meetings.
- Prepare blogs, newsletter blurbs, and other written documents to get the word out about the Library and its collection under guidance of the Library Directors.
- Participate in Library Advisory Board meetings, prepare agendas, create summaries of the meetings, and confer on issues of importance with the Board and Library Directors.
- Draft grant proposals and requests for funding support, working closely with the Library Directors.
- Other duties as requested
QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science or Data Science.
- Excellent writing and communications skills.
- At least two years of experience working with library collections, preferably a specialty collection.
- Experience with software/computer language and working knowledge of the Google Suites; preferred WordPress experience.
- Knowledge of issues regarding best practices of collection management principles.
- Knowledge of learn-and-work ecosystem, with preference to experience in college/university.
- Proven ability to develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders.
- Ability to be flexible, adaptable, and contribute to a team with minimal supervision.
- Ability to oversee consultant writers, researchers, editors, and others developing and drafting content for the Library; and ability to draft content as a member of the team.
- Understanding of research tools and techniques to develop and conduct use cases.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The draft Learn & Work Ecosystem Library Collection Management Statement at About will serve as a guide for the curation, maintenance, editing, and retention of content. The Librarian will revise and update the draft Guide as needed.
The Librarian serves on the Library Leadership Team with the Library Director (Holly Zanville, research professor, George Washington University); Communications Lead (Lucia Weathers, Weathers Strategy Group); and Mark Leuba, Vice President, 1EdTech.
The position is estimated at .40 FTE (two days per week), with workload variable each week. The Librarian will work remotely. Occasional travel (1-2 trips per year) may be required; travel will be covered by the Library budget.
TO APPLY
Please submit a letter of interest to: info@learnworkecosystemlibrary.com
Indicate in the Subject Line: Application for Librarian Position. Attach your resume plus two references (including contact information) to the email application.
Applicants will be notified via email when their application is received. Applicants will receive notification when the position has been filled.
Submit questions to the above email address, with Subject Line: Question about Librarian Position.
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The Learn & Work Ecosystem Library is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees or applicants for employment, regardless of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, individual life-style, or national origin.