Library Assistant in Cataloging and Digital Initiatives

Description

Wesleyan University, in Middletown CT, is seeking a Library Assistant to join our Cataloging and Digital Initiatives teams! 

The position, which falls within the Discovery & Access department, is 0.8 FTE (i.e. 28 hours a week), but has full benefits.  The ideal candidate should be tech-savvy, detail oriented, innovative, and possess a passion for metadata and a willingness to learn new skills.

Position Details:

The Wesleyan University Library’s Discovery & Access department coordinates the movement of library resources from the point of purchase to discovery. The department manages the library’s general access collection of print and electronic resources, and the digital collections that highlight the Library’s unique resources alongside faculty and student scholarship.

Reporting to the Head of Cataloging, and with oversight from the Head of Digital Initiatives, the Library Assistant for Cataloging & Digital Initiatives improves access and discovery of library resources by creating and maintaining descriptive metadata across library collections. The library assistant will divide their time equally working both for Cataloging and for Digital Initiatives.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Facilitate access to library collections in all formats and languages by creating metadata in multiple systems, performing original and complex copy cataloging in MARC format, and original cataloging in non-MARC formats.
• Create and improve descriptive and administrative metadata for both physical and digital objects, including audiovisual materials, photographs, and text-based materials.
• Analyze legacy data, and design and execute projects to edit metadata both in the library catalog and other metadata systems.
• Work in close partnership with the Digital Asset Coordinator to coordinate and monitor metadata creation for digital collections.
• Collaborate in the design and implementation of projects to address bias in our institution’s metadata, and to create more inclusive descriptions of our resources in support of the library’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice goals.
• Assist with documentation of local standards and practices in metadata management.
• Search outside authority sources (Library of Congress, VIAF, Wikidata, etc.) for existing Linked Data representations of people and places, and in their absence create and apply authority records where appropriate.
• Train and supervise a diverse group of student workers, managing quality control and reviewing CSV and XML data entry.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work schedule: 28 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Typical hours fall between 9am and 5pm, but there can be some flexibility, both with hours and with days worked. This is an on-campus position.

This 0.8 FTE position is in the secretarial/clerical bargaining unit.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associates degree and a minimum of 6 years of experience in libraries or in related field(s), or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• One year of descriptive metadata work or related experience, using descriptive standards and vocabularies such as MARC, RDA, MODS, DC, and LCSH.
• Strong analytical and technology skills, and the ability to learn new software applications and metadata standards.
• Experience working with Excel, Google Sheets, or similar software.
• Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and apply documentation from a variety of sources and to contribute to in-house documentation
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a collaborative, team environment.
• Effective communication skills, ability to communicate processes to others.
• Demonstrated commitment to work within a diverse environment and interact collegially with individuals of different backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of data formats such as XML, CSV, and JSON
• Knowledge and experience in working with Alma Primo and/or Islandora.
• Working knowledge of OpenRefine and a strong interest in strengthening scripting and querying skills through professional development.
• Familiarity with linked data concepts, ontologies, and vocabularies.

We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleague develop these preferred skills. We strongly encourage those who are passionate about fostering diverse inclusive and equitable libraries to apply.

We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, especially people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans and LGBTQ+ individuals.