Open Education and Affordable Content Librarian

About the Job Minitex is seeking a librarian who is innovative, relationship-focused, and service-oriented to develop, lead, and support an initiative to coordinate efforts around Open Education Resources (OER) and affordable content work in Minnesota and the Minitex region, as well as to contribute to cost-saving measures of Minitex cooperative purchasing services. Minitex cooperative purchasing is a long-standing program that saves libraries millions of dollars each year. OER work is newer and we are looking for someone to help us build the program. The OEAC Librarian will work closely with Minitex colleagues as well as externally to create and expand partnerships with and between librarians, media specialists, and educators to promote open and affordable course content throughout the state. The position will lead in building and implementing the Minitex OER action plan and will help to evolve Minitex-led programs like Minnesota Libraries Publishing Project and MN Writes MN Reads. In addition, the OEAC Librarian will identify other ways that Minitex can use its network and statewide scope to contribute actively to the OER community in the region. This position will have the opportunity to be creative and innovative in statewide OER initiatives and make a wide-scale positive impact on Minnesota students, citizens, and educators, from within the context of Minnesota libraries. The position also helps libraries to save time and money on e-resources through cooperative purchasing activities. The incumbent is a part of the Cooperative Purchasing and E-Resources Services (CPERS) unit. In this capacity, they lead and support collaborative acquisition and negotiation. They act as a liaison between libraries and vendors on orders and renewals, and consult with libraries regarding access to and delivery of e-resources in a collaborative environment. We offer flexibility in scheduling and hybrid work options, support for your professional development, and a welcoming work environment that emphasizes work-life balance. Our offices are located near downtown Minneapolis on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. The area features an abundance of restaurants, coffee shops, trails, lakes, parks, and cultural institutions. Job Responsibilities: Open Education and Affordable Content (60%) Leadership and Partnership

• Provides leadership, vision, and support for Open Educational Resources initiatives in collaboration with libraries and partner organizations across the state and region.
• Builds and implements the Minitex OER action plan.
• Co-creates, grows, and manages activities of the Minnesota Libraries Publishing Project (MLPP) and MN Writes MN Reads, with the Minitex Director, Associate Director, and library partners.
• Participates actively in discussions related to open and affordable course content to promote open communication and collaboration among Minnesota libraries. Develops and sustains strategic partnerships and effective working relationships with various stakeholders.
• Coordinates statewide community of practice and OER discussion group to facilitate all librarians working on open and affordable initiatives with opportunities to share knowledge and questions.
• Provides assistance to librarians in the Minitex region who are searching for existing OER that they can use and adapt.

Outreach and Instruction

• Guides library staff in the discovery, creation, dissemination, identification, adoption, and assessment of open and affordable course content.
• Creates OER-related instructional resources, including webpages, guides, learning objects, and workshops on open and affordable course content.
• Provides training and support for statewide tools, such as Pressbooks.

Project Management

• Leads project teams of internal and external partners.
• Develops, implements, and maintains grant initiatives and coordinates projects.
• Develops methods for assessing and reporting impact, effectiveness, and relevance of OER adoption in the state and impact of libraries in the environment.

OER Advances

• Pursues professional development to keep current on trends and developments in open and affordable education options and their relationship to scholarly publishing, pedagogy, and information literacy.

E-Resources Cooperative Purchasing (40%)

• Product offers and customer service:
  • Works with vendors to negotiate pricing structure and to gather product details.
  • Reviews vendor agreements, negotiates contract terms, and identifies and advocates for library priorities.
  • Coordinates order and renewal process for participating Minitex libraries.
  • Approves invoices and specifies billing costs.
  • Advertises product offers via emails, newsletters, handouts, and website.
  • Provides basic service and support to Minitex libraries on implementation of e-resources as well as trouble-shooting access issues.
  • Evaluates organizational investments in product packages and vendor partnerships.

Essential functions incorporated within and throughout this work:

• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, and by modeling inclusive behaviors.
• Works with colleagues and the leadership team in promoting a culture of inclusivity and belonging that embraces contributions from all staff members at Minitex.

Organizational Context Minitex (https://minitex.umn.edu/) is a state-funded library organization located at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Our mission is to strengthen libraries, cultural institutions, and the communities they serve. We connect libraries and individuals with information, ideas, and experiences to enrich lives and strengthen communities. We believe in the importance of libraries, and we are dedicated to supporting the library community in Minnesota. We also support libraries in South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and beyond. Work Location and Travel: Position operates in a hybrid work environment, with some amount of time required on site each week. Occasional travel is also required within Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, as well as to national conferences - approximately 3-5 overnight trips in a year. Salary and Benefits: The salary minimum for this position is $58,500 and has an onsite work location designation, with the opportunity for remote work. This is a full-time, 12 month annual renewable, academic/professional position. Qualifications Required:

• Master’s degree in library and/or information science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent institution by the time of appointment.
• Familiarity with issues in open education, open textbooks, affordable content, open licensing, and copyright.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, respect, and inclusion.
• Knowledge of current practices in the e-resources field.
• Ability to manage and maintain short-term and long-term projects.
• Ability to develop collegial relationships and make connections among and with stakeholders.

Preferred

• Familiarity with copyright law, fair use, author rights, archiving rights, institutional repositories, scholarly publishing, and related issues.
• Experience in e-resource renewals and licensing.
• Familiarity with Minnesota legislation and/or Minnesota college and university implementations related to OERs.
• Understanding of the Minnesota library landscape.

Benefits At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work. The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Scholarship
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits. How To Apply Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume. Please attach the following documents in Word or PDF Format: (DO NOT copy and paste.)

• Resume.
• Cover Letter (identify cover letter with UL452).
• Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three current references.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Activities" page and uploading documents there. Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Diversity The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds. The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu. Employment Requirements Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment. Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University’s Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit: https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/get-the-vax

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