Metadata Librarian

Description

James Madison University (JMU) Libraries & Educational Technologies (L&ET) seeks a dynamic, technologically capable individual to provide innovative leadership to the Metadata and Monographic Cataloging Services Unit. The Metadata Librarian will guide the unit through the transition to new metadata schemas and national standards for resource description. Reporting to the Director of Acquisitions & Cataloging, this position will work closely with colleagues across the libraries to ensure optimal discovery of and access to the libraries' collections in all formats and systems.

James Madison University is a public, comprehensive university of approximately 20,000 students located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, two hours southwest of Washington, D.C. The university has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the top-rated public regional Master's level university for seventeen consecutive years and is consistently named one of the nation's most wired universities. The Princeton Review Best Value Colleges has named the university one of the nation's 50 best value institutions for the past three years. The university places a strong emphasis on undergraduate research and offers 34 master's and 8 doctoral degrees.

The JMU Libraries are part of the Libraries and Educational Technologies division, which has the mission of enriching our communities by building learning and information environments where people connect with ideas and with each other to discover, create, and share knowledge.

Duties and Responsibilities: Provides leadership for the creation of high quality descriptive, administrative and technical metadata, in both MARC and non-MARC formats, to facilitate discovery of the libraries' print and digital content. Ensures uniform application of standards for resource description, providing interpretation for local monographic collections as required. Monitors trends in national resource description standards and emerging technologies, applying developments as appropriate and informing colleagues of potential impact on local practices. Consults on and assists with the application and interpretation of appropriate metadata schema and workflows with staff engaged in repository and digital collections projects across L&ET. Develops and implements processes, workflows and policies that improve the flow of and timely access to library materials and which are responsive to the needs of library users and other library units. Investigates access-related issues and collaborates with colleagues to implement solutions. Manages projects and initiatives related to access and discovery. Responsible for a unit of 2 full-time employees, 2 wage positions as well as student assistants. Organizes training in basic and/or special metadata implementations to ensure that staff acquire and maintain requisite skills and expertise, including training on appropriate systems.

Works closely with colleagues in E-Resources/Serials, Monographic Services, Scholarly Content Systems, Special Collections, Digital Collections and other areas to enhance discovery of and reliable access to JMU's collections via the implementation of new technologies and through the associated metadata creation, analysis, enrichment and maintenance.

Participates in library-wide activities. Serves on L&ET and university committees. Represents the library and the university in a variety of groups and forums.

Qualifications: ALA Accredited MLS. Demonstrated record of professional engagement and leadership. Demonstrated knowledge of metadata standards, schemas and tools (including, but not limited to EAD/EAC, Dublin Core, METS/MODS, VRA Core, BIBFRAME, MARC, FRBR, FRAD, RDA, AACR2-R, LCRI and LCSH). Knowledge of integrated library systems, discovery tools, digital repository systems and a variety of computer-based resources which support metadata operations (such as MARCEdit, XSLT, SQL, Microsoft Excel, metadata crosswalks, W3C specifications, semantic web). Demonstrated strong written and oral communication abilities. Excellent interpersonal, organizational, project management and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise, train and motivate staff. Demonstrated commitment to quality library service. Track record of solving problems collaboratively and creatively in a rapidly changing environment. Ability to articulate and promote a vision for resource access and discovery in the evolving world of library collections, diverse digital assets, metadata, discovery and the semantic web. Ability to meet promotion and tenure requirements.

JMU invites candidates from diverse backgrounds who will contribute affirmatively and creatively to the university's multicultural environment. Our goal is for our employees to reflect the rich mix of backgrounds, life experiences, cultures, perspectives, and world views that is found within our university community.

Salary commensurate with experience. Faculty status requires potential to meet standards for promotion and tenure. Excellent benefits including 20 days of vacation and a choice of TIAA/CREF or other retirement plans. Review of applications will begin on May 25, 2013 and continue until the position is filled. Candidates must apply online using JMU's JobLink system. Links to JobLink and full position descriptions can be found on the JMU Libraries employment information page at http:/www.lib.jmu.edu/employment.