Position available: Copyright Librarian & Contracting Specialist

Yale University Library

The Yale University Library seeks an energetic professional with a team-oriented approach to problem solving to fill a critical functional position with programmatic leadership in library resource contracting and copyright best practices. Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Collections, Preservation, & Digital Scholarship (CPDS), and in consultation with the Office of the General Counsel, the Copyright Librarian & Contracting Specialist serves as the library’s primary specialist for the review and negotiation of contracts pertaining to the licensing of resources for the library, and as a source for educating the university community on copyright best practices and related topics. This position does not provide legal advice. Collaborates on behalf of the library on licensing and scholarly communication issues through library partnership and consortial groups. The professional in this position will strive to educate faculty, students, and library staff about the appropriate use of copyrighted resources consistent with the university’s policies and practices. Depending on professional background, the final candidate will be hired as a Librarian or as a Copyright & Contracting Specialist (Grade 27). Librarian ranking information can be found at: http://bit.ly/YULRanksPromotions.

Principal Responsibilities

Serves as the library’s primary contracting specialist working in close collaboration with the Director of Collection Development and other collection development librarians at the university to negotiate resource licenses.
Serves as chair of the library’s License Review Team to manage and maintain a consistent review process, working closely with colleagues across the library and the Electronic Resources and Serials Management (ERSM) Department.
Serves as the library’s key point of contact for reviewing documents related to the acquisition or use of library collections requiring authorized signature by the University Librarian.
Interprets license agreements for multiple library stakeholders (e.g. library users, Resource Sharing and Reserves, Research Support) to ensure compliance with terms and conditions.
Serves as a resource for library-related copyright questions; creates and maintains library informational materials regarding the appropriate use of copyrighted resources consistent with the university’s policies and practices.
Monitors recent developments affecting academic/research libraries regarding scholarly communication, copyright, and related topics; informs and educates the library community about new developments as appropriate.
Serves as the library’s primary liaison to the Office of the General Counsel; consults and coordinates with the Office of the General Counsel on all legal matters.
Leads and participates in library initiatives and special projects as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

Juris Doctor degree (JD) from an ABA-accredited institution, and five years of related experience.

Qualifications:

Experience reviewing and negotiating license agreements with vendors and publishers.
Knowledge of issues associated with copyright, open access, and scholarly publishing as they relate to academic/research libraries and higher education.
Excellent organizational and analytical skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively across organizational units.
Demonstrated record of designing projects and bringing them to a conclusion in a timely fashion. Experience working collaboratively and independently with varied groups within a complex organization and rapidly changing, team environment.
Preferred Education and Experience: Master's degree in library or information science. Experience collaborating with library consortial groups on licensing and scholarly communication issues. Experience engaging with faculty and students on scholarly communication issues and preparing and delivering library informational materials regarding relevant topics.

Application: For more information and immediate consideration, please apply online at http://bit.ly/YaleCareers-55946BR. Please be sure to reference this website when applying for this position.

We invite you to discover the excitement, diversity, rewards and excellence of a career at Yale University. One of the country's great workplaces, Yale University offers exciting opportunities for meaningful accomplishment and true growth. Our benefits package is among the best anywhere, with a wide variety of insurance choices, liberal paid time off, fantastic family and educational benefits, a variety of retirement benefits, extensive recreational facilities, and much more.

Yale University considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

Angela Sidman (she/her/hers)

Director of E-Resources & Serials Management

Yale University Library

PO Box 208203

New Haven, CT 06520-8203

(203) 432-3435

angela.sidman@yale.edu