Assistant Professor

The primary responsibilities include completing assigned metadata and cataloging workload in a timely and accurate manner, assisting with the planning and decision-making related to the work of the department, maintaining knowledge of current national cataloging and metadata standards, issues, and trends as well as of the libraries’ integrated library system and applying them in their work.  The incumbent’s efforts directly support user access to resources owned by the University Libraries as well as digital resources to which the University Libraries has access rights. In this dynamic library environment, the specific duties and assignments are subject to revision to meet changes in programmatic and technological advances.  As a member of the University Libraries’ faculty, the Metadata & Catalog Librarian may participate in the Libraries’ user instruction program. Along with the Department Head and other faculty in the department, they participate in planning and implementing strategic directions for the Information Access Services Department.

Assumes responsibilities as a faculty librarian in one of the departments of the University Libraries. Performs original and complex adaptive cataloging for monographs, serials and other formats for a variety of subjects and languages. Revises cataloging records for resources when needed.  Accurately describes and catalogs resources using relevant and appropriate standards and practices.  Leverages appropriate technologies to create, derive, import, and export bibliographic data among various library systems.  Does authority work as needed, creating the appropriate records in the bibliographic database.  Provides leadership in data normalization and remediation projects. Provides leadership in the identification, enrichment, and transformation of legacy records and the migration of bibliographic data between systems.  Evaluates material being cataloged for its appropriateness for the audience or assigned location.  Maintains quality control standards in own work by checking for and correcting errors.  Maintains an acceptable productivity level of items cataloged each month varying with format and complexity. Performs database maintenance when needed in the course of daily work or as a part of projects.  Corrects bibliographic records as needed according to departmental and national standards.  Corrects and maintains item records, including location, call number, volume or copy designations and other fields as needed.  Identifies issues and patterns in the database and develops appropriate solutions for unique problems.  Participates in the planning and decision making of the Cataloging Department. Participates in strategic planning for the department in support of the Libraries’ mission and goals.  Assists in developing, documenting, and implementing cataloging policies, procedures, and workflows.  Assumes responsibility for training library assistants.  In conjunction with the Head of the department and other librarians, develops, plans, and implements projects, training staff and librarians to complete the project.  Actively participates in departmental and other cataloging-related meetings and stays informed about the current work of the department.  Actively serves on teams and committees, contributing and assisting with the work to be accomplished.  Maintains and reports contemporaneous records on all cataloging activities, as needed by the department head.  Uses available technology, including hardware and software, to accomplish technical service tasks.  Suggests the use of new technology or process innovations to help improve the quality of the work of the department.  May participate in the Libraries’ user instruction program by teaching general or specialized sessions for scheduled classes.  Participates in faculty governance and provides input into library decision-making.  Participates in faculty meetings and works with colleagues to implement the agreements reached through collective decision-making.  Stays abreast of current trends and best practices in areas of responsibility and takes steps necessary to integrate these into the practices of the University Libraries as appropriate.  Serves on committees and task forces in the Libraries, on campus, and professional organizations throughout the region.   Participates in the Faculty Senate and other campus-wide faculty activities as opportunities present themselves.  Performs other duties as assigned.  Participates in library-wide projects and activities as needed.  Undertakes other tasks assigned by the Department Head and/or the Executive Director & Associate Dean, University Libraries.

This is a 12-month, non-tenure track, faculty position that requires ALA accredited M.L.S. and appropriate relevant library work experience including strong computer expertise. Required knowledge and skills for this position include familiarity with non-MARC metadata and emerging standards and developments, such as BIBFRAME, Linked Open Data, ORCID, and semantic technologies (RDF, SPARQL, Triples Stores, etc.) Experience using the OCLC Connexion and an integrated library system (Sierra preferred) to catalog diverse materials is required. A second graduate degree is required to be eligible for promotion.