OCLC Research is recruiting for a full-time, one-year position. Both master's and Ph.D. graduates are encouraged to apply.
OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. is a nonprofit, membership, computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purposes of furthering access to the world's information and reducing information costs. Tens of thousands of libraries around the world use OCLC services to locate, acquire, catalog, lend and preserve library materials. We are currently seeking individuals for a position at our Dublin, Ohio, office.
The OCLC Research mission is to expand knowledge that advances OCLC's public purposes of furthering access to the worlds' information and reducing library costs. The individual will have the opportunity to work on projects in two research activity areas. The first, Advancing the Research Mission, addresses OCLC's interest in understanding and shaping how library services are changing and a responsibility to help libraries plan for and manage these changes. Projects in this area aim to understand the ways that libraries can have maximum impact in providing support to academic departments. The second, User Behavior Studies and Synthesis, focuses on library users' behaviors to determine their perceptions and information usage habits. The objective is to identify and share recommendations on how to better serve library users' needs now and in the future.
Working on projects in these two activity areas, the individual is expected to actively engage with OCLC Research teams to address the challenges facing libraries and archives in a rapidly changing information technology environment. Current research projects underway that the individual might assist with include:
* The Visitors and Residents Project is designed to increase understanding of how learners engage with the Web and how educational services and systems can attract and sustain a possible new group of lifelong learners. A trans-Atlantic partnership, the project supports comparison of students' digital learning strategies in different cultural contexts. (http://www.oclc.org/research/activities/vandr/)
* The Cyber Synergy Project investigates the possibility of seamless collaboration between knowledge institutions such as libraries and the Social Q&A (SQA) community. (http://www.oclc.org/research/activities/synergy/default.htm)
* The Dissemination for Information Packages for Information Reuse (DIPIR) Project is exploring how to facilitate the reuse of digital data and collection to identify how contextual information about the data that supports reuse can best be created and preserved. (http://www.dipir.org<http://www.dipir.org/>)
* The Librarians and Data Management project is examining the management of research data from the academic librarians' point of view. The aim is to inform the development of effective social and technical infrastructures (e.g. education, training, systems, services, etc.) that support librarians who have this new responsibility.
Responsibilities
Our intent is to provide the individual with a rich learning experience. Our projects are collaborative, so there will be opportunities to work with a variety of people outside of OCLC Research, including those in OCLC's product area, the academy, and the designated community of users each project intends to impact. In assisting with several research projects, the individual will enhance project management, team work, communication, and data collection and analysis skills.
Key responsibilities
* Developing, administering, and analyzing online surveys
* Conducting user interviews and reviewing and coding interview transcripts
* Aggregating and analyzing web server logs to identify user behaviors
* Developing theoretical and empirical models
* Preparing papers and presentations
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
* A Master's or Ph.D. in Library and Information Science or related discipline (Information Systems, Human-Computer Interaction, Archives, Records Management) is required, though individuals with advanced degrees in social science disciplines (Anthropology, Sociology, Communications, and Psychology) are also encouraged to apply.
* Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
* Strong communication and analytical skills
* Experienced in Microsoft office programs
* Familiarity with database design principles
Preferred Qualifications
* Undergraduate or graduate research experience
* Ability to quickly learn new software applications
* Comfort working in virtual collaborations
Salary and Benefits
* Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience and applicable market compensation
* The Intern will be eligible for health & welfare benefits such as is provided to other similarly situated term-limited employees
* Relocation Assistance will be offered in the form of a lump sum distributed in two installments (50% at signing of offer and 50% after 90 days of start date). The amount of the lump sum will be determined by the distance required for relocation during the term of the internship
Submission Requirements
To apply for the position, you will need to submit a resume and essay and request two letters of recommendations from persons unrelated to you. Details for these three requirements follow.
Resume:
* List your educational experience. Please include name and location (city, state, country) of educational institutions, name of degrees, majors, and years awarded
* List any employment experience, most recent position first. Please include: position title, institution, institution mailing address, dates of employment, and key responsibilities.
* List your involvement with professional/student organizations, publications, and honors and awards.
* List the names of two persons (unrelated to you) who will be submitting letters of recommendation for you. Please include the e-mail address and phone number of the two recommenders.
Essay:
Provide an original essay of no more than 1,000 words describing why you want to participate in the program, and how the experience will contribute to your short-term and long-term career plans. We are interested in hearing the value you would bring to OCLC Research as well as what you hope to gain from the experience. The essay also should demonstrate insight into the problems and opportunities surrounding diversity and inclusion in today's workforce.
Letters of Recommendation:
Two persons who are unrelated to you will need to submit letters of recommendation on your behalf directly to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>. Letters of recommendation MUST be sent separately via e-mail from the recommender's e-mail account (applicants cannot submit the letters). Recommenders should state how long they have known you and in what capacity, provide evidence of your commitment to professional development and service, and give an assessment of your promise as a developing professional.
Application Procedures
Application is initiated by applying to the specific intern requisition at the OCLC Career Center Internet site, www.oclc.jobs<http://www.oclc.jobs/>, where you will need to create an OCLC applicant profile. The Job ID number is 2407. Note: If you have created an OCLC applicant profile in the past, please do not create a duplicate profile. Once you select to apply for the OCLC Diversity Internship opening, you will be asked the following questions:
* Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
* Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B, F-1 visa status)?
You will then have the opportunity to upload your resume and essay.
Key Deadlines
The application initiation and all required submissions (original essay and two letters of recommendation) MUST be completed and received by Friday, March 21, 2014 at 5:00pm ET.
Timeline and Key Dates
Application Deadline: March 21, 2014
Anticipated Start Date: June 23, 2014
OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. OCLC maintains an ongoing commitment to equal opportunity and seeks to sustain a diverse workplace.
Lynn Silipigni Connaway
Senior Research Scientist
OCLC Research
[log in to unmask]
303-246-3623
@LynnConnaway
http://www.oclc.org/research/people/connaway.html
