Position: Information Architecture and User Experience Specialist

From: Bracke, Paul J [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 1:48 PM
To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Subject: [lita-l] Position: Information Architecture and User Experience Specialist - Purdue University Libraries

The Purdue University Libraries seek an energetic and innovative professional to provide leadership to create and enhance their web-based resources and services. The Information Architecture and User Experience Specialist will play a critical role in supporting the Libraries’ mission by creating a dynamic, interactive, and user-centered environment that integrates a variety of disparate library and web technologies.

Duties & Responsibilities: Collaborate with library faculty and staff to develop user interfaces to library resources and services. Apply principles of information architecture and usability to develop effective site interfaces and navigation structures. Collaborate with library faculty and staff to develop new web-based information resources and services. Work with other Libraries’ IT staff to develop a robust website infrastructure. Provide a seamless web environment and integrate various library applications and services. Conduct usability studies, log analysis, and other analysis to test the effectiveness of interfaces. Develop methods for making library resources and services findable in a variety of web-based environments. Reports to the Associate Dean for Information Technology and Resource Services.

Requirements: Master’s degree in Library/Information Science (ALA accredited or equivalent). Knowledge of and/or experience in information architecture, user experience design, and findability. Strong service orientation. Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with faculty, staff and students. Ability to work independently and as a team member in a dynamic environment and on a variety of simultaneous projects.

Desired: Demonstrated ability and experience with the principles of information architecture. Enthusiasm for new methods of disseminating information. Demonstrated interest in the application of current and emerging technologies to meet the changing needs of users. Familiar with current issues and trends in library technology. 1-2 years of academic library experience.

Status and Benefits: 2-year term appointment, with the possibility of a one-year renewal. Rank of Visiting Assistant Professor. Twelve-month appointment with annual vacation of 22 working days. Excellent benefits including fully paid TIAA-CREF retirement contribution. Must have vested, employer-funded contract from previous Higher Education employment for participation.

The Libraries and the University: The Purdue University Libraries have embarked upon a dynamic new role within the University, emphasizing a closer integration of the Libraries into the academic mission of Purdue. The Purdue University Libraries system, which consists of the Hicks Undergraduate Library, Archives and Special Collections, and 11 disciplinary libraries, has holdings of over 2.5 million volumes and provides extensive access to electronic resources. Staff totals more than 200, including 70 faculty and professionals. An innovative information literacy instruction program promotes collaboration with teaching faculty, employing multiple approaches to integrate active learning into the University curriculum and prepare students for lifelong learning. A dynamic research program is focused both within the discipline of library science and interdisciplinarily. The Libraries homepage may be viewed at www.lib.purdue.edu/ Purdue University is a national leader in the areas of business, engineering, science, and technology. Liberal Arts is now the largest college at the University, followed closely by the College of Engineering. Purdue is experiencing unprecedented growth in research funding and recently completed a $1.7 billion capital campaign. Purdue has the second largest public university international student enrollment in the nation, http://www.purdue.edu/ Lafayette/West Lafayette is a growing, vibrant, historic community located about forty-five minutes from Indianapolis and less than two hours from Chicago: http://www.lafayette-in.com/

APPLICATION PROCESS: Applications will be reviewed beginning February 1, 2008, and will be accepted until a suitable candidate is chosen. Send letter stating interest and briefly discussing your ability to meet the requirements of the position, resume, and list of three references to: Thomas L. Haworth, Human Resources Administrator, Purdue University Libraries, 504 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2058. Phone: 765-494-2899 Email: [log in to unmask].

Purdue University is an equal-access/equal-opportunity, affirmative-action employer

Paul J. Bracke
Associate Dean for Information Technology and Resource Services
Associate Professor of Library Science
Purdue University Libraries
504 W. State Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907
ph. 765.494.2900, FAX 765.494.0156
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