Principal Cataloger and Metadata Analyst, Rare Book Collections

Description

Requisition Number: 1300609   

Principal Cataloger and Metadata Analyst, Rare Book Collections   

Review of applications will begin October 1 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications received by October 1 are assured a full review. Applications (cover letter, resume and the names, titles, addresses and phone numbers of three professional references) will be accepted only from the Jobs at Princeton website: http://www.princeton.edu/jobs.

The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections seeks an experienced, multifaceted resource description professional to assume a lead role in providing high-level metadata services as a member of the Rare Books Cataloging Team. The Team's workload encompasses new cataloging for both the Department's collections and the rare book collections in the Marquand Library of Art and Archaeology, retrospective conversion, end processing, and record maintenance and enhancement, along with numerous special projects. The Principal Cataloger and Metadata Analyst, Rare Book Collections is primarily responsible for developing descriptive policy and standards for the rare book collections; using a variety of software tools to provide analytical reports and repurpose data; scripting workflows; setting up and managing projects; and advising staff on descriptive issues. He or she also regularly catalogs books, serials, and other types of materials, and creates NACO name authority records. The position works jointly with three unit leaders in Special Collections Technical Services to develop the Department's overall descriptive program and provide technical expertise. In addition, the Principal Cataloger and Metadata Analyst, Rare Book Collections contributes to Library-wide initiatives such as system implementation and digital library metadata development, in concert with staff from Cataloging and Metadata Services in the Library's Technical Services Department. The Principal Cataloger and Metadata Analyst, Rare Book Collections will interact regularly with the department's rare book curators and their assistants and with public services staff, along with other managers of rare book collections. This position offers the opportunity to work with exceptional collections in a technically sophisticated environment. The Principal Cataloger and Metadata Analyst, Rare Book Collections reports to the Head, Technical Services for Special Collections.
 
Essential Qualifications 

• ALA-accredited Master's degree in library/information science, or equivalent education background in a closely related field;
• Professional experience describing special collections resources in a research library, archive, or museum context applying current standards, including original MARC-format catalog records;
• Demonstrated ability to plan and lead projects and manage workflows;
• Experience that demonstrates both conceptual and applied knowledge of relevant descriptive and encoding standards, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work with and present data in various formats;
• Experience working with XML and related specifications in a resource description context, including use of XML metadata formats;
• Ability to communicate with curators and public services staff about resource description issues and to work with them in determining policy, standards, and procedures;
• Good knowledge of Latin and/or a modern Western European language relevant to the rare book collections   

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience in training staff and creating documentation;
• Knowledge of analytical and descriptive bibliography and of book history
• Experience in description of visual materials and printed ephemera;
• Experience applying RDA and specialized cataloging standards such as the DCRM manuals;
• Participation in NACO;
• Serials cataloging experience;
• Bibliographic familiarity with other relevant languages