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Unit: VCU Libraries MBU

Department: University Libraries

Department Summary: VCU Libraries supports learning, research, and creativity across Virginia Commonwealth University. With two locations, James Branch Cabell Library on the Monroe Park Campus and the Health Sciences Library on the MCV Campus, we help students, faculty, and staff access the information and resources they need to achieve success. Our team values collaboration, innovation, and service, creating an environment where ideas can grow and learning thrives.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries invites applications and nominations for the position of Metadata Librarian - Electronic Resources.  Joining a team of five full-time metadata colleagues, VCU Libraries seeks a service-oriented, innovative Metadata Librarian responsible for coordinating the organization and descriptive metadata of electronic formats across the collections of the VCU Libraries. This position contributes metadata expertise over the full electronic resources lifecycle through original and complex copy cataloging, catalog and database maintenance, and oversight of data integrity for vendor-supplied MARC records, knowledge base records, and KBART files. The candidate will join an exceptionally talented, culturally and academically diverse community.

This position resides in the Resource Acquisition and Metadata Services (RAMS) department and works in close collaboration with the Electronic and Continuing Resources (ECR) department. Together, these departments ensure enduring description, organization, and access throughout the electronic resources lifecycle, including licensing, acquisition, description, authentication, knowledge base integration, and discovery layer optimization (Alma/Primo VE) across VCU Libraries. The electronic collections of the VCU Libraries comprise over 2.9 million active titles.The successful candidate will join a culturally and academically diverse faculty and staff of the highest caliber.

VCU Libraries expects that the Metadata Librarian - Electronic Resources will be a leader in fostering a welcoming atmosphere for all members of the VCU community.  The successful candidate will receive support for research, service and professional development.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Resource Acquisition and Metadata Services, and recognized as a contributing member of a team of metadata colleagues, the Metadata Librarian is responsible for: 

Description 

• Collaboration with colleagues in complex metadata workflows and project-based assignments.

• Original and complex copy cataloging of electronic formats, including ebooks, ejournals, databases, streaming media, and electronic theses and dissertations.

• Implementation of inclusive and reparative metadata principles and projects.

• Oversight of data integrity for Alma Community Zone and vendor-supplied MARC records.

• Metadata editing using tools such as MarcEdit, OpenRefine, scripts, and Alma normalization rules.

• Continuously advancing cataloging and metadata education through documentation, hands-on training, interdepartmental guidance and mentorship, and other professional development activities.

Electronic Resource Organization & Maintenance 

• Collaboration on electronic resource management (ERM) guidelines to combine best and local practices in electronic resource collections.

• Selection, organization, and maintenance of collections and portfolios.

• Implementation of complex records remediation projects.

• Collaboration with ECR and Library Technology to troubleshoot electronic resource access and discovery problems.

• Resolution of electronic resources problem reports from staff and users in the LibAnswers ticketing system.

• Growth of institutional knowledge of ERM principles and practices through documentation, hands-on training, interdepartmental guidance and mentorship, and other professional development activities.

Scholarship & Service 

• Engagement in regional and national communities of practice.

• Engagement in professional inquiry, including integrating evolving metadata or electronic resource standards such as RDA, KBART, and open linked data.

• Contribution to developments in the field.  

Faculty with the VCU Libraries are evaluated and promoted on the basis of job performance, scholarship, and service.

Salary: Salary commensurate with experience, not less than $70,000 annually. This is a 12 month, full-time, non-tenured faculty position. Relocation assistance and professional development allowance provided. Full-time faculty benefits apply, including 24 vacation days annually and choice of retirement and annuity plans. For more information about benefits, see https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/faculty-benefits/.

Interviews: Initial interviews will be conducted virtually. We anticipate inviting finalists to campus. 

Qualifications

Required: 

• ALA-accredited graduate degree or accredited graduate degree in another appropriate discipline.

• Progressive experience in original and complex cataloging in an academic and/or research library setting that demonstrates problem-solving, flexibility, judgment, and attention to detail.

• Significant knowledge of and ability to apply the following cataloging standards: Resource Description and Access (RDA), Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), Library of Congress Classification (LCC), and MARC21 formats for bibliographic, holdings, and authority data. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of the unique challenges of electronic resources description and access, including the interaction of metadata with discovery layers and management of records in knowledge bases.

Preferred: 

• Experience cataloging with OCLC bibliographic utilities, organizing electronic resources in Ex Libris Alma, and facilitating discovery with Ex Libris Primo. 

• Experience with contributing to Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) Programs, such as NACO, BIBCO, or CONSER. 

• Demonstrated experience in planning and/or overseeing team-based cataloging projects, vendor-supplied metadata projects, or outsourcing.

Candidates need not meet preferred qualifications to be fully considered. We value individual and unique skills that would strengthen the VCU Libraries and our teams.

Salary Range: Salary commensurate with experience, not less than $70,000 annually.

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: Metadata Librarian (Electronic Resources)

Rank: Open

Tenure: Ineligible

Months: 12 months

Contact Information: 
Contact Name: Amanda Echterling
Contact Email: amechterling@vcu.edu