Full text
Share and Compare: Position Titles and Descriptions E. M. Durham, Corey Barber Midwest Data Librarian Symposium October 2025 1 Acknowledgments: Many thanks to the 2025 Planning Committee for making MDLS happen and, additionally, to Jamene Brooks-Kieffer and Heather Coates for their guidance and feedback.
Purpose, Intent, & Motivations Exchange experiences, perspectives, and visions of our individual and collective practices by examining the ways position descriptions and titles influence and shape our field. •Create space for transparent conversation •Identify common challenges and opportunities we face •Imagine shifts for better supporting practitioners and fostering a diverse, inclusive field We have recent experiences to draw insights from, which in turn presents an opportunity to learn from others and, further, opens a conversation carrying implications extending beyond this room. 2
Our Personal Journeys & Reflections Arcing Stories to Narrate the Early-Career Librarian First-Year Experience 3
Framing the Entry for One Pathway •Early-Career Librarian, MidCareer Human •Prior experience in design, web, and humanities in higher education settings •Began MLIS program Fall 2023, graduated Spring 2025 •Experiences led to growing interest in digital scholarship or research data roles •Started viewing listings in Fall 2024, applying in December •Took highly selective, strategic approach for first round of applications •Tenure-leading positions at regional research institutions •ALA JobLIST, ARL Jobs, Code4Lib Jobs, Archives Gig 4
Field Notes from Navigating the Job Market Observations •Varied approaches to signaling early-career librarians or candidates with transferrable skills welcome to apply •Positions seem to be trending away from including "Services" directly in the title •"Kitchen sink" / "wish list" / "unicorn" listings persist Challenges •Uncertainty of weight of each preferred qualification •Difficult to demonstrate strengths when postings had long lists of qualifications •Contextualizing transferrable skills concisely and accurately 5
On Descriptions from Candidate to Colleague Interviews to Offers •6 apps submitted / 4 initial interviews scheduled / 2 campus interviews / 2 offers • "[…] top pick, 'on paper'" •Impressed by KU's listing •Drawn to opportunity to help shape newly formed role •Spoiler: accepted KU's offer Onboarding, Training, Goals •Supporting co-defining of role through this Fall •Guided onboarding, professional development, training •Informed first six-months goals •Shaping both the role and the strategic expansion of data services at KU 6
From Museums to Metadata •My starting point •Museum Studies, Collections Management, Archives, and Cultural Heritage •No MLS •Search started Spring '24. 30+ applications, 6+ interviews, 3 offers. Started current role Jan '25 •Not necessarily looking for data roles •I was exploring: Metadata Specialist, Curatorial Assistant, Digital Asset Management Specialist, Conservation Assistant roles. 7
An Accidental Data Librarian 8
Finding My People and Place •ICPSR OR meeting and Summer Workshop Reflections •Connected with Data Librarians from a wide range of backgrounds •Realized many enter the field through non-traditional paths •Transferable skills helped •Collections Management Systems, Digital Asset Management, Metadata •Brief time working in Public Programs/Guest Experience at a museum: •Organizing events •Introducing speakers/movies (public speaking) •Speaking with patrons •Graduate teaching assistant: •Experience in instruction 9
Form Small Groups Next up: Independent reflection 16
Independent Reflection Next up: Individuals share with group 17
Individuals Share With Group Next up: Open conversation in groups 18
Open Conversation in Groups Next up: Reflection in groups 19
Reflection in Groups Next up: Come together 20
Come Together Next up: Wrap up 21
Wrap Up Thank you, reminders, and an invitation for continuation. 22
