Semi-Professional Assistant (Systems)

Job Title: Semi-Professional Assistant (Systems), HDFC Library Reports to: Director (Library)

Location: HDFC Library

Experience (in years) : More than 3 years’ experience.

Nature of work: Full-time About Ashoka University: Ashoka University -India’s premier interdisciplinary teaching and research university. An institut ion that has become a beacon of academic excellence in less than 10 years since its inception . At Ashoka, we encourage you to embrace the new, push the boundaries for continuous learning, and adapt to a world of constant change Because we believe that each Ashokan is capable of becoming a thought leader. As part of our thriving and committed workforce, you will: Be Mission-Driven : Champion interdisciplinary learning, innovative pedagogy, and academic rigor to transform Indian higher education.

Think Strategically: Collaborate with visionary minds to shape the future of higher education through strategic planning and a forward-thinking approach.

Act Authentically: Embrace authenticity and integrity, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where every voice is valued.

Take Accountability: Own your work and drive positive change, as an empowering individual seeking to make a meaningful contribution.

Build Collaboration: Experience the power of teamwork and diverse perspectives, working collectively towards our shared goals.

Deliver Excellence: Strive for excellence in all aspects, upholding the highest standards of academic excellence, student support, and professional development opportunities.

At Ashoka University, we are on a mission to redefine higher education and create a remarkable space where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a pioneering force in interdisciplinary learning , we continually grow and adapt to stay at the forefront of educational excellence with emphasis on inclusivity and equal opportunity. Our philosophy revolves around care, well-being, and connection , which are deeply embedded in everything we do.

When you join our community, you become part of an extraordinary journey in which you can unleash your potential and make a meaningful impact. Where education empowers, where innovation thrives, and where excellence and humility coexist. We truly believe the world will enrich itself when there is progress with purpose. About HDFC Library, Ashoka University: A Technology Perspective

The HDFC Library's evolution reflects a steady shift from a purely physical repository to a technology-enabled, hybrid learning hub.

Library Management System — Koha

The library runs on Koha , an open-source library management system, accessible at koha.ashoka.edu.in. Students search all available documents through Koha, which also links into the Ashoka portal via a quick-access "library catalogue" option. This underpins cataloguing, circulation, and search across the collection.

Discovery and Remote Access

The library operates a dedicated eLibrary and Discovery System (elibrary.ashoka.edu.in). E-resources like JSTOR, the New York Times, and the Economist can be accessed remotely from anywhere, on any device, without needing to physically visit the library — except for a handful of restricted-access resources.

Automation Milestones

Between 2019 and 2023, the HDFC library pushed a major shift from physical to electronic resource acquisition, alongside broader automation — including the rollout of self-check machines and OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) kiosks. This period marked the library's transition into a self-service, tech-assisted model rather than a purely staff-mediated one.

Digital Content & Subscriptions

The library has layered in several tech-driven access tools:

Infrastructure Supporting Hybrid Learning

The library's cutting-edge infrastructure is built to equally support print and digital material, enabling a genuinely hybrid learning model rather than treating digital as an afterthought. The physical building itself — completed in 2021 — was designed with this dual-mode use in mind, pairing traditional stacks with tech-enabled study and research spaces.

Role and Responsibilities

Semi-Professional Assistant (Systems) A Semi-Professional Assistant (Systems) supports the development and maintenance of user-centered library services, ensuring accessibility, usability, and effective user engagement with digital and physical resources. This role is essential in enhancing the user experience (UX) of library systems, assisting with technology integration, and supporting user research and outreach efforts. Qualifications: Educational Qualification:

· A Bachelor’s Degree in Library & Information Science (BLibSc / BLIS) from a recognised university.

· A Master’s Degree in Library & Information Science (BLibSc / BLIS) from a recognised university.

· A Master's in Arts/Science from a reputed University.

· A Diploma or Certification in UX Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Digital Libraries, or Web Technologies is desirable.

· Additional coursework or certification in graphic design, digital accessibility, or customer service is an advantage.

· Strong communication and writing skills in Hindi and English Desirable Qualifications

· Experience in providing frontline user support in a library, IT helpdesk, or customer service environment.

· Strong communication skills for assisting users, conducting training, and creating instructional materials.

· Knowledge of Open Access (OA), Open Educational Resources (OER), and digital repositories.

· Ability to assist in data visualisation, research assistance, or bibliometric analysis.

· Familiarity with chatbots, AI-driven search tools, or virtual reference services.

· Membership in professional organisations such as ALA, IFLA, ASIS&T, or DLF (Digital Library Federation) Work Experience:

· More than 3 years of experience in a library, customer service, or user support role, preferably in an academic, research, or public library setting.

· Deep knowledge in Open-Source Software to create OER, Open Science, Open Data, Open Knowledge for interactive dashboard creation.

· Experience in assisting users with digital library resources, online catalogs, and library systems.

· Familiarity with conducting surveys, usability testing, or gathering user feedback for service improvements. Skills Required: Technical Skills:

· Basic knowledge of library management systems (LMS/ILS) such as Koha.

· Familiarity with web content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla.

· Understanding of UX principles, accessibility standards (WCAG), and user-centered design methodologies.

· Basic proficiency in graphic design tools (Canva, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator) for creating user guides and promotional materials.

· Knowledge of Google Analytics, Hotjar, or other UX research tools for tracking user behavior.

· Basic troubleshooting skills for assisting users with digital library tools and electronic resources.