Metadata Librarian

Description

The Office of Information Resources and Technology (IRT) provides information technology, informatics and knowledge management services in support of the School of Medicine's clinical, research and educational missions.

As part of IRT, Lane Library and Knowledge Management Center creates opportunities for discovery, translation, learning and collaboration by providing faculty, staff, and students with easy, efficient access to in-context knowledge whenever and wherever it is needed to support patient care, education and research. The KMC focuses on acquisition and integration of knowledge sources, consultation and instruction in information finding and manipulation, learning spaces and computing labs, and technology support for the curriculum.

Reporting to the Director for Resource Management, the Metadata Librarian focuses on the creation and maintenance of metadata representing Lane's digital, physical, and virtual collections of resources (ca. 600K records) in conjunction with other Resource Management staff. This position provides metadata management expertise and procedural/workflow stability while monitoring external developments and changing needs to assess and anticipate needed changes and enhancements. While cognizant of established practice and the necessity of maintaining data coherence, s/he investigates and applies new technologies and approaches to support novel applications in the broader context of Lane's digital and programmatic initiatives.

With an emphasis on data integration and relationships, Lane's metadata dept. endeavors to go beyond traditional cataloging. Examples include: driving web interfaces with derived data subsets updated at frequent intervals; integration of cataloging and indexing data; building records from extracted data sets; linking serials to impact factor graphs, creating relationship authorities and using authorities as the basis for a biomedical infobase of local, important, and historical people, places, organizations, events, etc.; maintaining import and export filters for efficiency and novel data transformations; expanding MeSH to include more popular terminology, acronyms/initialisms, eponyms, etc. with automated annual amalgamation with new/changed MeSH.

We are seeking dynamic candidates with potential to enhance our efforts to provide creative solutions while maintaining a tradition of excellence. The position works closely with other staff to influence and achieve our collective goals in support of the School s research, clinical and educational mission.

This is an 100% FTE position.

Responsibilities

• Independently creates and maintains metadata for all types of library resources, including text, video, graphics, realia, sound, and software. The mix of materials is in flux, but largely digital/mobile/multimedia. Identifies and downloads or creates descriptive cataloging records, verifying and/or supplying appropriate Medical Subject Headings, category codes, and LC Classification (for physical materials). Creates associated holdings records. Uses Voyager, OCLC, NLM Locator, LC Authorities, VIAF, and other systems to accomplish these tasks within Lane's policy framework.
• Independently creates and maintains authority records, actively managing detection and resolution of problems in name, form/genre, uniform title and related indexes. Runs global change software to promulgate decisions. Tracks distinctions from LC/NLM headings.
• Pursues innovative discovery techniques as they emerge and adapts them to the local environment. Undertakes planning and tracking to keep abreast of environmental changes (especially evaluation and use of new technologies), projects in various stages of completion, long-term data management aims (e.g. link management), internal process coordination, staff development, etc. May supervise .5 FTE Metadata Management Specialist and materials barcoding/processing. May coordinates related potential special projects staff and student employees, working closely with other Resource Management staff, especially the Metadata Transformation Librarian.
• Investigates policy and procedural options and recommends changes. Documents decisions using staff Wiki and authority records (definitions, scope, and application decisions). Communicates and actively builds relationships with Acquisitions, Collection Development/Serials, Archives/Special Collections and subject liaisons to ensure policies reflect needs of various constituencies and that processes work smoothly across administrative boundaries. May prepare statistical reports.
• Serves as liaison to a department (to be determined)
• Answers questions at the public Information Desk two hours per week.
• Concurrently, this experience serves as current feedback to inform Resource Management decisions.

Qualifications:
Required

• Master of Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited institution.
• Two years of related experience
• Familiarity with evolving standards, trends and issues in metadata and digital media
• Facility in working with digital media. Strong general computer skills with flexibility to apply them in specialized library applications. Ability to learn new systems and procedures quickly
• Experience in metadata management, including authority control, using relevant standards, Library of Congress classification, MARC formats (currently), and automated library systems
• Familiarity/experience with national bibliographic systems and services
• Ability to apply traditional cataloging knowledge in evolving metadata management environment
• Analytical/decision-making skills to resolve complex problems by addressing technical, personnel, workflow factors
• Demonstrated initiative, leadership and cooperativeness to advance projects in a dynamic, technology-intensive environment with complex/changing needs and constraints on resources
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing for understanding and expressing complex ideas
• Organizational ability, sound judgment, problem-solving propensity
• Excellent interpersonal skills and strong service orientation
• Ability to maintain quality (attention to detail, thoroughness, etc.) while sustaining productivity
• Flexibility to work independently and collaboratively

Desired

• Undergraduate degree in the life sciences
• Three or more years of related experience
• Demonstrated supervisory and staff development experience
• Extensive understanding of the application of Medical Subject Headings and other medical terminologies
• Knowledge of NLM s cataloging and indexing policies and familiarity with PubMed data
• Intellectual curiosity, controlled creativity, and innovative application of metadata skills with focus on enhancing user access and services
• Language skills (prefer German, French, Latin)
• Knowledge/experience related to rare books cataloging
• Ability to establish, document, maintain and review the policies and procedures of the department in context of overall library needs
• Experience in environmental scans, evaluation of potential solutions, and adaptation of new software for incorporation into existing workflows
• Familiarity/experience with XML, schema development, and related software