March 27, 2025 – The Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) is the national voice of Canada’s twenty-nine largest university libraries and three 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), or the possibility of a part-time secondment corresponding to an administrative or study leave, to be focused in the area of digital preservation. The position will entail working with CARL for the equivalent of one day per week for a period of at least one year as a VPO. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 11, 2025.
CARL has been an active voice and advocate for digital preservation planning and capacity building in areas such as research data, digital repositories, and web archiving. VPOs bring practitioner knowledge and informed strategic thinking to strengthen CARL’s capacity to create meaningful change by helping our community to strengthen and better coordinate its digital preservation efforts.
Responsibilities
Working in collaboration with CARL’s Digital Preservation Working Group (DPWG), under the auspices of CARL’s Advancing Research Committee (ARC), the incumbent will engage in a variety of activities, including:
- Supporting the substantive activities of the DPWG as it aims to address, through collective and collaborative efforts, the recommendations put forth by the @Risk North 3 summit regarding the state of digital preservation in Canada;
- Designing a multi-year action plan to align CARL’s work with that of the broader community and relevant stakeholders;
- Encouraging collaborative engagement in national planning that can lead to progress and achievement in digital preservation and stewardship at all levels, from local to national or international;
- Facilitating a national benchmarking exercise using DPC’s Rapid Assessment Model to gain insights into digital preservation programs, activities, and opportunities across a network of Canadian organizations;
- Participating in community learning and sharing activities such as developing webinars, training sessions, or a community of practice;
- Supporting digital preservation considerations and interests within national digital infrastructure initiatives, e.g. Borealis, Scholaris, Canadiana;
- Advocating for digital preservation at a national level by identifying opportunities for coordination of activities, funding, collaboration, and partnership.
Application consideration and process to apply
If there are multiple candidates who fulfill the criteria above, selection will be based on demonstrated leadership, prior involvement in national initiatives, and the 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 .
