[Asis-l] FW: IMLS Visiting Research Fellow Opportunity

[Chris Landbeck]

Forwarded at the request of:

Chuck Thomas
Senior Program Officer
Office of Library Services
Institute of Museum and Library Services 1800 M street NW, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20036-5802
Phone: 202-653-4663
cthomas at imls.gov

_______________________________________________________________


INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES Washington, DC

       Visiting Research Fellow Opportunity


DESCRIPTION:  OPPORTUNITY FOR A VISITING FELLOW TO BE IN RESIDENCE AT
IMLS FOR A MINIMUM OF 12 MONTHS AND A MAXIMUM OF 24 MONTHS TO CONDUCT
RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE IS CURRENTLY EMPLOYED IN A PROFESSIONAL
POSITION, FOR NO LESS THAN 90 DAYS, IN A NON-PROFIT, NON-FEDERAL
LIBRARY, ARCHIVE, OR LIBRARY-RELATED AGENCY, ASSOCIATION, OR
CONSORTIUM; OR AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.  ASSIGNMENT TO IMLS
IS CONTINGENT ON AGREEMENT OF THE CANDIDATE'S EMPLOYING HOME
INSTITUTION, SUCH AGREEMENT MUST SPECIFY THAT THE CANDIDATE WOULD BE
ELIGIBLE TO RETURN TO THE EMPLOYING INSTITUTION AT THE END OF THE
ASSIGNMENT PERIOD.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:¬¬¬¬  September 15, 2011 ASSIGNMENT WILL BEGIN:
No later than January 15, 2012
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

The Opportunity

In furtherance of the mission of IMLS's Laura Bush 21st Century
Librarian Program to develop a diverse workforce of librarians, the
IMLS Visiting Fellows program has been created within the Office of
Library Services as a continuing education opportunity.  The Visiting
Fellow selected as a result of this announcement will have expertise
in an area of library and/or information science, which may include
but is not limited to focus areas such as networked library services,
management of digital library resources, or services relevant to
particular types of libraries such as public, academic or school
libraries, or archives.  The Visiting Fellows program seeks to provide
program and developmental experience that will enhance the Visiting
Fellow's performance in his or her regular position at the employing
home institution in the following ways: (1) through the conduct of
research in an area of library or information science related to IMLS
grant programs for libraries and (2) through participation in policies
and activities relating to research projects and programs in his or
her focus area.  IMLS will benefit from the input and advice of the
Visiting Fellow based on research carried out by the Visiting Fellow
during the period of assignment.  In consultation with IMLS, the
Visiting Fellow will select a project in his or her area of
specialization that advances the purposes and activities of the Laura
Bush 21st Century Librarian Program during the time in residence at
IMLS.

Eligibility:

This position may be filled, independent of the competitive aspects of
this announcement, through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA),
5 CFR Part 334.  Pursuant to the IPA, eligible candidates must be an
employee of an eligible institution for no less than 90 days.
Eligible institutions include state, territorial, county, municipal,
and tribal governments, institutions of higher learning, and other
eligible organizations as certified by IMLS.  The agency is
responsible for identifying IPA-eligibility of the organizations from
which candidates apply.

Term of Assignment:

The Visiting Fellow will report to the Associate Deputy Director for
Library Services and will serve for a period of 12-24 months.  Any
extension beyond this period will require the approval of both the
IMLS Director and an authorized official of the Visiting Fellow's home
institution.

Employee Status:

As IPA assignees, Visiting Fellows are detailed to the Institute.
Assignees remain on the employing home institution's payroll in an
active pay status while on detail to IMLS.  Salary and benefits
continue to be administered by the home institution.  IPA assignees
are not Federal employees, but are subject to provisions of law
governing the ethics and conduct of Federal employees and of IMLS's
rules and policies governing its internal operation and management.
It is the Institute's expectation that IPA assignees will not be
employed by IMLS in any capacity for at least one (1) year upon
completion of their IPA assignment.

Salary:

This fellowship opportunity and its terms are subject to the
availability of federal funds. When a Visiting Fellow is selected,
IMLS will reimburse the amount of the IPA assignee's salary to the
employing home institution for the term of the assignment.  IPA
assignee salary is usually annualized to twelve months.  Individual
assignment agreements may allow for supplements when there is an
increase in salary and/or benefit rates at the assignee's employing
home institution. Pay may also be supplemented when the salary at the
home institution is below the minimum of an equivalent IMLS position
or if the cost of living at the home institution is below that of the
Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Relocation Expenses:

In accordance with Federal regulations, the IPA assignee selected for
this fellowship will be reimbursed for allowable relocation expenses
(not to exceed $1,500 per move) associated with reporting for duty to
this position.

Leave:

Because IPA assignees are not Federal employees, annual and sick leave
is not accrued at IMLS.  Applicable leave provisions of the assignee's
employing home institution will be followed while on detail to IMLS;
however, requests to use leave must be approved by his or her IMLS
supervisor.  The home institution is responsible for leave
administration.  Summer and other extended vacation periods are work
periods at IMLS.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:

Candidates must have at least two years of professional experience in
and must currently hold a professional position in a U.S. library or
archive; a library-related agency, association, or consortium located
in the United States; a faculty position in a U.S. graduate school of
library and information science, or another position in a U.S.
institution of higher education that is related to or impacts library
or information science.

Professional experience is defined as practical knowledge in library
or information science, or in applying the principles and practices of
the library or information science fields.

Evaluation criteria:  Qualified candidates will be evaluated in terms
of the following factors:

1)      Intellectual merit of the proposed research and its relevance
to IMLS grant programs;
2)      Evidence of knowledge in the individual's area of expertise,
as demonstrated by publications, presentations, or other activities;
3)      Knowledge of research issues in the broader field of library
and information science; and
4)      Knowledge of current challenges facing libraries and/or
archives and their services.

Candidates must submit a narrative statement addressing these factors
in order to receive consideration.


HOW TO APPLY:

Send a letter of application by the closing date of this announcement
detailing your interest in the position, your specific qualifications,
your proposed research, and your availability. Include a current
résumé with your application, a letter of support from your employer
indicating that this type of assignment for your position is supported
by your home institution, and your employer's contact information.
Candidates will be notified before an employer is contacted.


SUBMIT APPLICATION MATERIALS TO:

Institute of Museum and Library Services Office of Human Resources,
Room 9222 1800 M St. NW, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20036


FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Antoine Dotson
Deputy Director, Office of Human Resources Institute of Museum and
Library Services 1800 M St. NW, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-653-4728
Email: adotson at imls.gov