Assistant Librarian or Senior Assistant Librarian - Cataloging and Metadata Librarian
Position Overview
Organization: University Libraries
Title: Assistant Librarian or Senior Assistant Librarian - Cataloging and Metadata Librarian
Position Details
Position Description
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON AND THE UW LIBRARIES
The University of Washington is one of the best universities in the world, ranked No. 18 globally by the Academic Ranking of World Universities, and No. 6 globally and No. 2 among U.S. public institutions by US News & World Report. The UW receives more federal research dollars than any other U.S. public university; in FY23, the UW received $1.87 billion total research awards (federal and non-federal sources). For more information, please visit the UW home page.
Serving all three UW campuses, the Libraries is an integral partner in the education, research, clinical care, and service mission of the University. Beyond the strength of its extensive collections and digital resources, the Libraries is recognized for its excellent programs and services, innovative learning and research spaces, faculty partnerships, global reach, assessment efforts and diverse award-winning staff. The Libraries is committed to integrating equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism into all aspects of our work and organizational culture. Learn more about the UW Libraries online.
Cataloging and Metadata Services
Cataloging and Metadata Services (CAMS) provides enhanced and original cataloging of monographs, serials, and integrating resources in all formats and subjects in 45+ languages. Digital collections metadata work includes creating metadata application profiles, performing subject analysis and authority work, and providing consultations and outreach. CAMS is active in BIBCO, CONSER, NACO, and SACO and is one of the largest annual contributors of new LC subject, genre/form, and demographic group authority records. The University of Washington Libraries uses OCLC, a consortial implementation of Alma, the Primo discovery system, ContentDM, and DSpace.
THE POSITION
The University of Washington Libraries seeks a Cataloging and Metadata Librarian to set linked data priorities and develop projects and solutions that bridge existing metadata to a linked data future. The Cataloging and Metadata Librarian will support the Libraries through participating in and leading research and development projects related to emerging/next generation metadata interoperability, identity management, and discovery. This position is also responsible for enhanced and original cataloging of library resources in science and other areas of the collection (including non-book formats).
This position is not tenure eligible. This position is represented by SEIU 925 – Libraries. Please see the SEIU 925 UW Libraries 2023-2026 collective bargaining agreement for the Librarian promotion process.
This position is eligible for hybrid work (on campus and remote).
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
- Leads UW Libraries’ linked data initiatives and identifies opportunities for linked data projects and collaborations.
- Analyzes opportunities and challenges and makes recommendations on the metadata requirements for the effective implementation of linked data.
- Maintains knowledge of current and emerging issues concerning linked data, BIBFRAME, and semantic web developments.
- Explores, designs and executes solutions for the creation, harvesting, and repurposing of metadata, particularly as it relates to the implementation of linked data.
- Creates, maintains, develops, implements, and extends the libraries’ metadata profiles.
- Provides scripting or coding to successfully deploy metadata.
- Performs enhanced and original descriptive, subject, and genre/form cataloging and classification using RDA, LC-PCC Policy Statements and Program for Cooperative Cataloging guidelines, Library of Congress classification, Library of Congress subject headings and genre/form terms, and OCLC MARC tagging for science resources and other areas of the collection (including non-book formats).
- Participates in NACO and SACO programs by creating and modifying authority records for names, titles, and series, Library of Congress subjects, Library of Congress genre/form terms, Library of Congress demographic group terms, and Library of Congress classification in accordance with the SACO program and local policies. Participate in BIBCO by contributing PCC records to OCLC.
- Assists colleagues with cataloging and classification practices in areas of subject and language expertise. May serve as a cataloging liaison between the department and selected library units.
- May supervise students and participate in grant projects.
RANK
Position will be at rank of Assistant Librarian or Senior Assistant Librarian, depending on qualifications and background. See the Rank, Status, Initial Appointments, Renewal of Appointments and Promotions of UW Libraries Librarians article in the SEIU 925 UW Libraries 2023-2026 collective bargaining agreement for librarian rank appointment criteria.
BENEFITS
Librarians are academic personnel and participate in the UW Retirement Plan (UWRP) or the state’s Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) Plan 3. This is a full-time, 12-month appointment. Vacation is accrued at the rate of 26 working days per year; sick leave at the rate of 12 working days per year. No state or local income tax. A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found on our Benefits page. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.
SALARY
The base salary range for this position will be $5,800-$7,200 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. Other compensation associated with this position may include a moving allowance.
ANTICIPATED START DATE
While we hope to fill the position in Spring 2025, we are happy to work with the successful candidate to explore opportunities for an earlier or later start date.
Qualifications
Required
- Graduate degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association or an equivalent graduate library science/information studies degree
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and a more socially just society and understanding of the contributions a diverse workforce brings to the workplace
- Two years of experience creating MARC bibliographic and authority records according to traditional cataloging practice and rules, such as RDA, LC-PCC Policy Statements and Program for Cooperative Cataloging guidelines, Library of Congress classification, Library of Congress subject headings and genre/form terms, and OCLC MARC tagging
- Demonstrated experience with emerging trends and practices related to linked data and semantic web applications (e.g., RDF, SPARQL, Dublin Core) and library linked data ontologies (e.g., BIBFRAME, RDA/RDF)
Preferred
- Experience with one or more tools to create, extract, transform, analyze, and manage quality metadata records
- Experience with the creation, management and mapping of metadata schemas (including metadata crosswalks)
- Experience cataloging resources in the science subject areas and in other collection areas and formats
- Ability to work effectively in a shared decision-making environment, as both a teammate and a project leader
- Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing (including documentation), with stakeholders at all levels of technical expertise
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills combined with attention to detail for complex work
- Familiarity with creating and managing metadata in academic libraries or research institutions
- Experience writing grant proposals and managing projects
- Experience with supervising staff or students
Instructions
Applications received by 8:59 p.m. PST/11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, March 13, 2025, will receive priority review. Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a rolling weekly basis at the discretion of the unit.
The following documents are required as part of your application for this vacancy:
- Cover letter (addressed to Laura Lillard, Director, Libraries Human Resources)
- Curriculum vitae or resume (include a telephone number, mailing address, email address and salary requirements)
- List of three references who are knowledgeable of your qualifications for this position, one of which must be your current supervisor (include telephone numbers, mailing addresses, and email addresses, and specify current supervisor)
- Equity Diversity Inclusion Accessibility (EDIA) Statement*
* UW Libraries Equity Diversity Inclusion Accessibility (EDIA) Statement Guidelines
Equity is a core value of the UW Libraries and an integral component of the Libraries’ 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. We aspire to become a truly inclusive and equitable organization. We actively support the University in sustaining diversity, creating inclusive experiences for the UW community, and confronting institutional bias and structural racism. In your application, please include a separate statement of no more than 300 words that describes your potential or experience to support and contribute to the Libraries’ commitment to providing equitable services and resources to all people, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status.
For questions about this position, or questions regarding potential disability accommodation, please contact Laura Lillard at libjobs@uw.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
Benefits Information
A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.
Commitment to Diversity
The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).
Privacy Notice
Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.
Disability Services
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.