Systems and Discovery Librarian

Staff Posting Details

Appointment: Regular, full-time (1.0 FTE) position.

Work Location:

This position is based in Tacoma, WA, and is hybrid eligible (minimum of 3 days on-site during the summer and 4 days on site during the academic year) after a successful evaluation period.

Please note that we generally do not sponsor applicants for work visas for staff positions. Therefore, we generally require applicants for staff positions to be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Position Summary:

Collins Library seeks an experienced Systems and Resource Discovery Librarian to serve as the primary administrator and strategic coordinator for the integrated library services (ILS) platform (Ex Libris Alma and Primo VE) that enables research, teaching, scholarship, and student success at the University of Puget Sound. Working within the Resource Management Services team, this position will partner with colleagues across library departments and consortial networks, and relevant campus units to implement innovative services, support the user experience, optimize user access, and strengthen operational workflows related to discovery systems, electronic resource platforms, and integrated library applications. The successful candidate will report to the University Librarian and supervise the Acquisitions and Electronic Resources Manager and Electronic Resources Specialist.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

Under the general supervision of the University Librarian, the responsibilities of the position include:

Strategic Leadership & Technical Administration

• Provide strategic leadership, technical administration, and institutional coordination for Ex Libris Alma (the library resource management system) and Primo (the primary end-user discovery interface), ensuring alignment with institutional goals, user needs, and evolving library service models.
• Serve as the primary administrator for Alma modules including Acquisitions, Resource Management, and Analytics.
• Configure workflows, manage permissions, implement updates, and maintain system integrity across all functional areas of the platform, including integration with university systems.
• Design, implement, and sustain workflows and protocols that facilitate seamless, equitable, and barrier-free delivery of physical and digital collections while maintaining compliance with institutional and consortial IT standards for system architecture, security protocols, and user privacy protection.

Discovery & User Experience Optimization

• Direct the configuration, customization, and ongoing optimization of the Primo VE discovery interface to deliver an excellent user experience
• Implement interface enhancements, refine search algorithms, manage display logic, and ensure seamless integration between Alma and Primo VE.
• Partner with library staff to advance systems functionality and adopt user experience principles that strengthen discovery capabilities.
• Coordinate the selection, review, testing, evaluation, and deployment of emerging discovery functionalities and metadata improvements within the Alma-Primo ecosystem.
• Monitor Ex Libris and Orbis Cascade Alliance development roadmaps, participate in beta testing programs, and communicate implementation and deployment plans with both technical and public-facing library personnel.
• Address staff and patron inquiries and troubleshoot system and electronic resource issues and outages.
• Collaborate closely with Public Services (including liaison librarians) to make decisions about the Primo interface.

Metadata Quality & Knowledge Base Management

• Oversee knowledge base management within Alma, including portfolio activation, metadata enrichment, collection representation, and liaison with the Ex Libris Community Zone.
• Lead metadata quality initiatives and coordinate knowledge base cleanup projects to improve the accuracy, online searchability, and discoverability of library resources.
• Establish quality control procedures and implement improvement strategies for bibliographic and holdings data in Alma.
• Engage with colleagues implementing metadata frameworks including MARC, Dublin Core, Bibframe, and RDA, along with data exchange protocols such as XML, JSON, and KBART to support interoperability and standards compliance.

Systems Integration

• Share accountability for incorporating and integrating third-party software and applications essential to resource discovery, scholarly support, research, and academic achievement.
• Manage API integrations, authentication protocols (including proxy servers), and system interoperability to ensure consistent, barrier-free access across platforms.
• Collaborate closely with library technology staff and campus IT units when investigating integrations and enhancements that utilize Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), customized search configurations, and Alma development environment tools.
• Work collaboratively with Archives and Special Collections staff to enhance the visibility, discovery, and accessibility of archival materials and digitized content within Primo VE and OCLC WorldCat.
• Partner with archival staff to integrate specialized collection management applications such as ArchivesSpace and JSTOR digital collections with Alma through APIs and metadata crosswalks.
• Collaborate closely with Public Services staff on integrating databases, collections, and ILL services in Alma for an improved user experience.

Analytic Reporting & Evidence-Based Planning

• Manage and analyse usage data and other analytics to support external surveys such as IPEDS and Association of College and Research Libraries, and to support data driven decisions regarding return on investment for selection/renewal purposes.
• Configure, automate, and manage the systematic harvesting of electronic resource usage statistics utilizing the SUSHI (Standardized Usage Statistics Harvesting Initiative) protocol in compliance with COUNTER standards.
• Leverage Alma Analytics and other business intelligence tools to analyze data, build custom dashboards, and generate reports that support evidence-based decision-making for collection development, vendor evaluations, and budget allocations.

Consortium Engagement & Organizational Strategy

• Represent Collins Library on Orbis Cascade Alliance committees, working groups, and task forces related to the Shared ILS (SILS), electronic resources, discovery, and shared content lifecycle management.
• Coordinate the local execution and administration of Alliance-mandated policies, system configurations, and collaborative workflows within the shared Ex Libris Alma Network Zone (NZ) to ensure cross-consortial data integrity and standard optimization.
• Collaborate closely with Alliance peers to troubleshoot complex access issues, manage centralized electronic resource activations, coordinate joint troubleshooting efforts, and maintain seamless interoperability supporting Summit resource sharing.
• Advise library leadership on Alliance programmatic developments, resource management strategies, and vendor RFP processes; serve as the internal change agent to communicate, implement, and train local staff on consortium updates and policy shifts.
• Engage proactively in collaborative collection development and shared content programs, ensuring that institutional tracking, licensing frameworks, and electronic resource harvesting comply with both University of Puget Sound standards and Alliance agreements.

Supervisory and Leadership Responsibilities

• Supervise the Acquisitions and Electronic Resources Manager and Electronic Resources Specialist, providing guidance on electronic resource lifecycles, workflows, troubleshooting strategies, and professional development.
• Coordinate the division of responsibilities for the lifecycle management of electronic resources within the Alma environment.
• Oversee project staff or student assistants as necessary to support discovery and systems workflows.
• Serves as a leader on the RMS team by developing and overseeing implementation and completion of strategic projects.
• Works closely with the University Librarian and Cataloging and Technical Services Librarian to plan and lead RMS team meetings, training, and cross-team collaboration.

Budget Responsibilities

Works closely with the University Librarian and Acquisitions and Electronic Resources Manager to create, manage, and monitor the library acquisitions budget.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience with the technical administration, configuration, and setup of library automation systems, specifically Ex Libris Alma and Primo VE.
• Understanding of library systems design, security protocols, and patron privacy protection standards.
• Knowledge of metadata frameworks (e.g., MARC, Dublin Core, Bibframe, RDA) and data interchange formats (e.g., XML, JSON, KBART).
• Experience managing API integrations, authentication protocols, and third-party software interoperability.
• Strong analytical ability and proficiency in extracting data using tools like Alma Analytics to formulate dashboards and reports for evidence-based decision making.
• Demonstrated capacity for independent judgment, leadership, initiative, and the ability to handle multiple priorities with composure.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a service orientation and the ability to work collaboratively with technical and public-facing staff in-house and across a consortium.
• Ability to experiment with, adapt to, and continuously learn emerging technologies in a changing environment.
• Commitment to welcoming and supporting diversity in staff, students, and academic work.

Qualifications:

• Masters degree in library science or information science from an ALA-accredited institution.
• Demonstrated training and professional experience in a technical services or library systems environment within an academic library, with focused expertise in integrated library system (ILS) administration and/or electronic resource management.
• Enthusiasm for user-centered continuous improvement of library systems.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job, including spending considerable time using a computer and sitting or standing for extended periods.
• Ability to respectfully work, communicate and provide leadership within a diverse campus community

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one year of experience with the Ex Libris Alma/Primo VE system.
• Experience with resource management in consortium environments, such as the Orbis Cascade Alliance, and collaborative system management.
• Experience with SUSHI and Counter processes and protocols.
• Experience working with KBART and data exchange applications.
• Ability to read and utilize SQL for custom data reporting and manipulation.
• Experience planning and implementing database, journal, and other resource reviews.

Compensation and Benefits:

Career Framework Information:

Job Family: Library

Level: C3

Pay Grade: 6

The anticipated range for this position is $29.20 to $31.35. Decisions about starting salaries are made based on the extent and relatedness of the candidates education and experience and on internal equity and market considerations.

Puget Sound offers a generous benefits package for eligible staff employees, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement plan options and 403(b) contributions
• Paid vacation, sick leave, floating holiday, campus holidays and bonus holidays
• Education benefits, such as full tuition for eligible employees and their families
• Access to university facilities and entertainment (fitness center, pool, library, concerts, lectures and more!)

Please note:

• Positions that work less than .75 FTE (1,560 hours per year) do not qualify for long-term disability or education benefits.
• Positions that work less than .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will accrue paid sick leave but are not eligible for additional benefits.
• Temporary positions that work at least .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will be eligible for benefits.

This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

For more information on Puget Sounds non-exempt staff benefits package, visit: Summary of 2026 Benefits for Staff Members in Non-Exempt Positions.pdf - Google Drive

For the Campus Holiday and Bonus Day Schedule, visit: https://www.pugetsound.edu/human-resources

Application Deadline:

Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been identified. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit application materials no later than July 27 to ensure consideration.

Required Documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest
• 3 Professional References (At least 2 supervisors)

Applications submitted without the required attachments will not be considered.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of all required background checks.

University Diversity Statement

We Acknowledge:

• The richness of commonalities and differences we share as a university community.
• The intrinsic worth of all who work and study here.
• The investigation and reflection enhance that education upon multiple perspectives.

We Aspire:

• To create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community.
• To increase the diversity of all parts of our university community through a commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts.
• To foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community.

We Act:

• To achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity.
• To ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here.
• To prepare citizen-leaders effectively for a pluralistic world.

Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. To learn more please visit: https://pugetsound.edu/about-puget-sound-0/mission-core-values/institutional-equity-diversity

The University of Puget Sound is an equal opportunity employer.

This Position:

x Requires a degree, specific licensure/certification, or other credentials

Degree/credential required:

x Has access to, interaction with or unrestricted contact with minors and vulnerable adults