We've recently made some of our library systems jobs MLS optional. In one particular case only the job title differs between someone with and without an MLS degree. Here's a snippet from a recent job posting <https://jobs.code4lib.org/jobs/54001-systems-librarian>:
Hiring range > We’re looking to make the right addition to our team. Salary is > commensurate with your experience implementing Library systems in a > Linux/Unix environment. Regardless of your experience level, we’re > committed to supporting your growth in this role. > > - Less than 3 years: Associate Systems Librarian - $59,550 - $74,450 > > > - 3-5 years: Systems Librarian - $69,100 - $86,350 > > > - 5 or more years: Senior Systems Librarian - $78,100 - $97,650 > > Candidates without the MLS degree will have Systems Administrator for > title. We've also noticed that since we've made some systems jobs MLS optional (and changing the overall language of the job posting to encourage folks with overlapping/equivalent technical skills to apply) we've been able to recruit people from more diverse, underrepresented, and nontraditional backgrounds. There's definitely an expectation of on-the-job training since we're casting a wide net, but we've broadened our focus to candidates that have a good technical aptitude, an affinity to learn, and complementary skills that can be applied to this position. Overall, I'd say it's been a positive experience! Jesse On Thu, Feb 16, 2023 at 6:24 PM Martin, Will <william.d.mar...@und.edu> wrote: > All, > > We're considering taking our Systems Librarian position and removing the > requirement for a library degree, making it a technician position instead. > The job's primary focus is in working with Alma configuration and > troubleshooting the perennial off-campus access issues. The hope is that > removing the library degree requirement will make recruiting easier. In > past we've had difficulty getting candidates who had both the library > degree and the requisite technical proficiency. > > I am curious to hear from other universities: do you require your systems > person to hold a library degree? Why or why not? If you do require one, > do you find you have to do extensive technical training with new hires? If > you don't, do you wind up having to train people on library-related stuff? > Either way, how has your approach worked out? > > Will Martin > > Head of Digital Initiatives, Systems and Services > Chester Fritz Library > University of North Dakota > he/his/him > > 701.777.4638 > -- Jesse Martinez Senior Library Applications Developer O'Neill Library, Boston College jesse.marti...@bc.edu 617-552-2509 he/him/his
