In addition to the team that Mark describes, the IUB Libraries' Discovery & Research Services Department - which is part of public services, not IT - has several positions with significant UX responsibilities. We're currently hiring for a Discovery User Experience librarian to manage UX for our discovery tools & services, and my position - Web Content Specialist - is responsible for content strategy on the Libraries' website (although not the catalog, digital projects, etc.).
We're in the process of migrating to a shiny new Drupal site, btw, so don't look at our current (ancient!) site and wonder where we hid the content strategy. :) While it's fantastic to have a dedicated usability or UX librarian, I think it's also good to have more than one position with UX responsibilities written into the job description - less likely that way to have one lonely usability voice crying out in the wilderness and so on. Of course that depends on the size and culture of the library. The important part is to have it written into the job description, not just as part of a committee assignment. -Anne Anne Haines Web Content Specialist IUB Libraries, Discovery & Research Services Herman B Wells Library W501 1320 E. Tenth St. | Bloomington, IN 47405 [email protected] 812-855-0103 -----Original Message----- From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Notess, Mark Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2013 2:16 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Usability Person? We are spinning up a UX team at IU Bloomington Libraries-below is the current opening for the initial hire. More are anticipated. As library collections and services move increasingly online, we need to invest in the kind of staffing needed to create successful online experiences. We did formerly have a usability specialist, but we haven't had a dedicated team. The team will provide internal consulting to technology projects. Mark -- Mark Notess Head, User Experience and Digital Media Services Library Technologies Indiana University Bloomington Libraries +1.812.856.0494 [email protected] -- User Experience Designer Rank: PAE-3IT Position#: 00039047 List #: 9631 FTE: 100% Job Summary: Provides interaction design consulting services to key technology-based projects. Works with stakeholders across IU Bloomington Libraries' departments to understand requirements in order to design web-based user interfaces, mobile user interfaces, and online visual elements. Performs usability testing and ensures accessibility of services. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a user experience discipline such as human-computer interaction design, interaction design, or related field and two years of experience in interface and visual design (as demonstrated by a portfolio) or a related professional position required. An equivalent combination of related education, training, and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired may be considered at a 2:1 ratio. Experience with interaction design, visual design, web design, mobile design; demonstrated experience with the relevant interaction and visual design tools (Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent); and demonstrated experience with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Knowledge of and experience with academic libraries or higher education work environments preferred. Note: Submit a letter of interest and resume that provides evidence of the qualifications outlined and the names, addresses, and phone numbers of at least three references that can comment about your qualifications for the position. ________________________________________ Indiana University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to excellence through diversity. Indiana University has a strong commitment to principles of diversity and in that spirit seeks a broad spectrum of candidates including women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. Indiana University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and encourages applications from candidates with diverse cultural backgrounds. For more information about Indiana University-Bloomington go to www.iub.edu <http://www.iub.edu/>. To browse other open staff positions at Indiana University, please go to https://jobs.iu.edu <https://jobs.iu.edu/> On 10/30/13 11:24 AM, "Andrew Darby" <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Hello, all. This is perhaps a bit off-topic, but I was wondering how many of you have a dedicated usability person as part of your development team. Right now, we have a sort of ad hoc Usability Team, and I'd like to make a pitch for hiring someone who will have the time and inclination to manage this effort more effectively. Anything you'd care to share (on-list or off-) would be welcome. I'm especially curious about whether or not this is a full-time responsibility for someone in your organization or if it's shared with another job function; if you find this position is working out well or you wish you'd spent the money on more robots instead; where this person resides in your org chart; what sort of qualifications you looked for when hiring; etc. Thanks, Andrew -- Andrew Darby Head, Web & Emerging Technologies University of Miami Libraries
