Job posting at:
https://careers.howard.edu/
Howard University Mission
Howard University is a comprehensive, research-oriented, historically Black private university providing an educational experience of exceptional quality to students of high academic potential with particular emphasis upon the provision of educational opportunities to promising Black students. Further, the University is dedicated to attracting and sustaining a cadre of faculty who are, through their teaching and research, committed to the development of distinguished and compassionate graduates and to the quest for solutions to human and social problems in the United States and throughout the world.
Position Compensation
Salary commensurate with qualifications, education & University guidelines.
Position Information
BASIC FUNCTION:
This position develops and promotes new approaches to emerging digital information environments and metadata standards, and provides metadata services that contribute to scholarly activity and research. The person in this position also assists in coordinating digital projects, with a marked emphasis on creating an online, digital presence for Howard’s special collections and archival materials. This position supports the research needs of a diverse population of undergraduates, graduates, and faculty at Howard University.
SUPERVISORY ACCOUNTABILITY:
He/she assists the Head of Metadata and Resource Description Services in the review and implementation of new workflows as technologies change; offers advice in charting future course of projects; and provides departmental supervision and training to staff and student assistants in cataloging, digitization projects, and support tasks.
NATURE AND SCOPE:
Internal contacts include administrators, staff, faculty and student workers. External contacts include vendors, other catalogers, and technical service professionals working within the WRLC.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
This position selects appropriate metadata schema and standards, performs database maintenance activities, documents procedures and processes, and assists with training of staff in descriptive metadata production (e.g., MARC, EAD, METS, MODS, DUBLIN CORE), as well as applying controlled vocabularies and ontologies to digital library projects.
Review and test functionality of Howard's OPAC (Voyager), quality of the bibliographic print and electronic records in Voyager, and its web-scale discovery platform, Summon, and help produce metadata for the university’s digital repository, DigitalHoward.
Perform original and complex copy cataloging of library resources in all formats and languages collected by creating descriptive and subject access to print, media, and digital materials using current cataloging and metadata and descriptive standards, including RDA, AACR2, MARC 21 Bibliographic Format, Library of Congress classification scheme, and Dewey Decimal classification scheme according to the 23rd edition.
Perform cataloging in the following areas: 1) non-book materials, including serials; 2) rare or other special collections items; 3) items in non-roman scripts; 4) other foreign language material lacking copy at time of receipt; and 5) items with copy containing errors or problems beyond the scope of copy cataloging personnel.
Have authority in all instances to alter bibliographic copy, treatments, or classification of previously cataloged materials in their assigned collections in order to achieve optimum bibliographic control and access.
Work collaboratively with bibliographers, publishers/vendors, and WRLC representatives, committees and task forces, to seamlessly integrate Howard's print and electronic resources into WRLC's services and databases and all discovery platforms.
CORE COMPETENCIES:
Masters of Library Science or equivalent advanced degree in library or information science from an ALA-accredited program
Demonstrated expertise in cataloging and metadata services
Knowledge of the continuously-changing bibliographic environment and the ability to implement a program of metadata services that support Howard’s academic priorities
Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
Strong service orientation and work style that is approachable and personable
Able to take initiative in developing or working with new projects
Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team
Commitment to service and professional development
A broad understanding of digital metadata management, the creation of metadata dictionaries, and authority control using controlled vocabularies or taxonomies
Demonstrated ability to work with automated data management systems
Proficiency with metadata creation and global editing tools
Demonstrated experience with external services and tools (e.g., EZproxy, knowledge bases, link resolvers, A to Z lists, and OCLC
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience with rapid cataloging processes
Knowledge of discovery layer structures and batch loading processes
Working knowledge of ILLiad
Experience working with library consortia
Understanding of future trends (e.g., data visualization, cloud computing, and text mining).
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, marital status, religion, or disability. Veteran status and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.