Coordinator of the Digital Library of Dutch Literature (DBNL)

Job Description

Where Dutch poetry, language courses for the functionally illiterate, and linked data come together. That’s the KB in The Hague. And it’s the place where, as our coordinator of the Digital Library of Dutch Literature (DBNL), you will advocate for the interests of the service’s users and ensure its continued development. The DBNL website is a digital collection of texts belonging to Dutch-language literature, linguistics, and cultural history from the earliest times to the present. As coordinator, you have an important job: the DBNL is the KB’s most-visited online service. Millions of visitors from around the world consult this digital collection every year.

Will you make it happen?

The DBNL is a Flemish-Dutch partnership between the Language Union, the Flemish Heritage Libraries (VEB) and the KB. In your role as DBNL Coordinator, you effortlessly translate the agreements and policies of the partnership into concrete steps for the digitization and further development of DBNL as a digital service. You are the one with a complete overview of the DBNL service, and you know how to bring people from different teams with different areas of expertise together to work on improving the service. And there’s more. You are the DBNL coordinator who:

• is responsible for DBNL's budget and financial planning.
• is responsible for the DBNL reconstruction process, in coordination with, among others, the Delpher service and the various departments at the KB.
• has a vision for the framework for cooperation and the policy agreements between the Language Union, the VEB, and the KB.
• can efficiently reorganize the scope of work at Literatuurgeschiedenis.org in coordination with that of DBNL.
• serves as the point of contact for substantive (policy) issues (in collaboration with the editor-in-chief and the editorial staff).

In addition, as the primary representative of DBNL, you will consistently seek out and identify the connections, processes, and relationships between DBNL and other internal and external (digital) activities. Given its nature, scope, and reach, DBNL, as a digital service, is of great strategic importance to the National Digital Library and to the KB. As a coordinator, you therefore set high standards for yourself in terms of vision, steering further development, integrated collaboration, and external representation.

Are you the talent we're looking for?

We’re curious to learn more about who you are and what makes you special. Is it your love for the written word combined with your organizational skills? That’s great. Especially if you can bring the following to this DBNL Coordinator position:

• a background in, or a demonstrable affinity for, Dutch studies.
• Experience in process and project management and in (international) client relationship management.
• persuasiveness, proactivity, clarity, and a focus on results.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• analytical skills and the ability to focus on the big picture.
  
  

What can you count on?

When you choose the KB, you’re also choosing excellent employment benefits. To be specific, your choice includes:

• a gross monthly salary between €4,363 and €6,002 (pay grade 11).
• to start with a one-year contract with the possibility of a permanent position.
• a good work-life balance. You’ll get 42 days off, and we’d be happy to discuss working from home and flexible hours with you.
• 100% reimbursement of your public transportation costs.
• pension accrual through the ABP pension fund, with the KB paying 70% of the contribution.
• a thirteenth month's salary (8.33%).

These terms of employment apply to a full-time position of 40 hours per week. The DBNL Coordinator position is a 32-hour-per-week position. Read more about our excellent benefits here.

What is it like to work at the KB?

The KB is the national library of the Netherlands. What more people should know is that the KB is innovating. Because that’s exactly what we’re doing! Together with 500 colleagues and our network partners, we’re committed to making the Netherlands smarter, more skilled, and more creative every day. We achieve this, for example, by collecting, preserving, and sharing all digital publications from and about our country. And by working together toward a society in which everyone can participate fully. For example, we’re there for the very youngest with storytime kits, for seniors with tablet courses, and for those with low literacy skills with language support. We tackle social challenges like these together with our network partners.

We embrace the differences among our colleagues. In fact, we believe that differences make a team stronger. That’s exactly what we experience in our Collection Development team. This team selects and acquires content for the KB’s clients and encourages its use for research. And because you have a coordinating role, you also collaborate extensively with colleagues outside the department and outside the KB. How do your colleagues describe the atmosphere? As open, enthusiastic, and engaged.

How do I apply for this job opening?

Would you like to contribute to our innovation? Great! We can’t wait to receive your resume and cover letter.
Questions about the position? Please contact Jasper Faase, Acting Head of Collections, at 06-48511892.
Questions about the application process? Fiona van Kessel will answer them at solliciteren@kb.nl or 06-39645240.

• Applications will be accepted through Sunday, June 30, 2024.
• If we see enough common ground, we’d be happy to get in touch with you soon and will call you to get to know you better. If there isn’t enough common ground, we’ll let you know via email.
• We will retain your data during the selection process. We will delete it no later than 4 weeks after the application process has ended, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Read more about this in our privacy statement for applicants.