September 12, 2024 – The Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) is the national voice of Canada’s twenty-nine largest university libraries and two federal institutions. A bilingual not-for-profit organization, CARL coordinates national initiatives across its member institutions and promotes their causes to achieve excellence in research and higher education.
CARL invites applications for a Visiting Program Officer (VPO) focused in the area of Artificial Intelligence and its implications for research library services. The position will entail working with CARL for the equivalent of one day per week for a period of at least one year. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2024.
Description
In step with the rapid acceleration in use of generative AI by students and researchers and the integration of new generative AI technologies in library services and operations, CARL’s forays into this domain include issuing Generative Artificial Intelligence: A Brief Primer for CARL Institutions (2023), the CARL Digital Literacy Framework (2024), responding to copyright policy, and supporting an AI Task Group for Teaching and Learning (2023-2024). To strengthen these explorations and advance initiatives, CARL seeks an individual who brings expertise in generative AI in the context of the research library mission.
A Visiting Program Officer is on loan from their home institution for, typically, one year at a minimum of 20% of their time. There is no salary remuneration from CARL associated with this position; the home institution continues to pay the Visiting Program Officer’s salary. Alternatively, this position could be profiled as a project focus for a sabbatical or administrative leave.
Benefits arising from this experience for the incumbent and the home institution include broadened experience and knowledge gained from leadership engagement in national initiatives; while for CARL and its members, the position advances a strategic common priority.
The VPO for AI and Library Services is invited to attend meetings of one or more CARL strategic committees as appropriate and works in collaboration with a CARL Senior Program Officer under the direction of CARL’s Executive Director.
Responsibilities
The VPO for AI will take a leading role in defining and advancing CARL’s strategic goals with respect to AI. This may include developing guidelines and best practices for use of generative AI in library operations, planning programming for library staff, students and/or faculty, and monitoring and strategically assessing developments in the field including in the policy arena. The VPO for AI will take the opportunity to collaborate, coordinate or liaise with other AI initiatives in the Canadian academic library community or among CARL’s peer organizations internationally.
Requirements
- Has significant interest and expertise in the use of AI including: existing and developing technologies and resources, enhancements for cataloging and metadata management, impact on learning, and ethical, environmental and copyright concerns.
- Must be based at a Canadian post-secondary institution.
- Must have obtained library director’s agreement for the arrangement with CARL as described.
- Possesses excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Has project management experience.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in French and English will be deemed an asset.
If there are multiple candidates who fulfill the criteria above, selection will be based on demonstrated leadership, prior involvement with national or CARL initiatives, and level of institutional support; and may involve an interview.
To apply, please send a copy of your CV, and an introductory email or letter outlining your suitability for this role and confirming your library director’s support for the nomination and the proposed arrangement to .
