Description

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), one of the world’s leading technological research universities, seeks a dynamic and creative Discovery Services Librarian. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Libraries the Discovery Services Librarian plays a key role in ensuring seamless access to the library’s electronic and physical collections by managing, optimizing, and enhancing discovery systems and metadata and acquisition workflows. This position focuses on user experience, systems integration, metadata quality, and collaborative problem-solving to improve how students, faculty, and researchers discover and use library resources.

Remote work options are available for this position.

Description of Duties

Discovery Services, Systems Management, and Supervision

• Administer and configure the library’s discovery layer (e.g., EBSCO Discovery Service, WorldCat Discovery, and OpenAthens to ensure accurate, intuitive resource discovery
• In collaboration with UM system site coordinators, manage FOILIO integrated library system and other service platforms and participate in decision making for settings, configuration, testing, and optimization
• Communicate regarding updates and known issues and coordinate testing and troubleshooting for the S&T campus. Provide input and feedback for how the UM system interacts with consortia
• Communication with vendors regarding systems issues
• Maintain integrations among the discovery layers, knowledge bases, link resolvers, ILS/LSP systems, e-resource management systems, and external platforms
• Troubleshoot access issues related to metadata, authentication, holdings, and proxy services including communication with service providers
• Communication discovery system updates, changes, issues, and best practices across the library and serve as a point of contact for discovery-related feedback from patrons and colleagues
• Maintain polices, procedures and documentation
• Conduct ongoing assessment for external and internal reporting
• Hire, supervise, train, and evaluate cataloging and metadata staff

Acquisitions

• In collaboration with colleagues, evaluate and acquire library materials through strategic analysis of collection growth and usage.
• Manage the acquisitions process, including budget management, ordering, receiving, and expenditures
• In collaboration with UM System libraries contract office administer procurement contract processes and ensure compliance
• Maintain strong vendor relationships and monitor performance to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness

Professional Engagement & Development

• Stay current with trends in library discovery, metadata standards, linked data, user experience, accessibility, AI and library systems
• Participate in committees, working groups, and vendor-led community forums
• Engage with professional organizations and communities of practice

Requirements

Required Education

Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program (or equivalent)

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience with integrated library systems (ILS) or library services platforms (LSP), discovery layers, or knowledge bases
• Knowledge of metadata standards such as MARC, RDA, Dublin Core, and linked data concepts
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work collaboratively across units and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical colleagues
• Willingness to meet the requirements of the University's promotion guidelines for non-tenure track faculty

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with systems such as Alma/Primo VE, FOLIO, or OCLC platforms
• Knowledge of authentication technologies such as EZproxy, OpenAthens, or SAML-based systems
• Library materials acquisition experience including ordering, invoicing, and vendor coordination
• Experience conducting usability testing or analyzing system usage data
• Familiarity with scripting or tools for automation (e.g., SQL, Python, OpenRefine, API interaction)
• Experience in an academic or research library environment