Career Center

The University of Louisville Archives and Special Collections (ASC) library invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position to serve as Metadata Librarian. This individual will be responsible for metadata, authority control, quality control, project development, outreach, and other duties associated with the creation, maintenance, enrichment, preservation, and provision of access to digital materials.

Responsibilities include:

• Create, review, and edit metadata records for digital materials in multiple formats in accordance with local and national cataloging and metadata standards, including investigating approaches to reparative description.
• Develop, evaluate, and implement policies, procedures, and streamlined workflows to maximize discovery of digital materials.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of metadata standards for digital preservation.
• Assist in the development and application of metadata crosswalks and data conversion routines.
• Train, mentor, and/or potentially supervise others working with metadata for digital materials.

Both initial rank and salary of the successful candidate are dependent on experience and qualifications; the anticipated initial rank is Instructor or Assistant Professor, with a minimum salary for Instructor starting at $45,000/year. The successful candidate will also receive a comprehensive benefits package including 22 vacation days plus paid University holidays. To support the scholarship, service, and other achievements necessary for promotion and tenure, the University Libraries offers a mentorship program, extensive professional development opportunities, and funding for conferences and continuing education or certification.

Environment:
Archives and Special Collections (ASC) library collects, organizes, preserves, and makes available for research rare and unique primary and secondary source material, particularly relating to the history and cultural heritage of Louisville, Kentucky and the surrounding region, as well as serving as the official memory of the University of Louisville. ASC prides itself on its collections that reflect the diverse communities of Louisville. Highlights of our materials include one of the largest LGBTQ+ collections in the south, the Louisville Underground Music Archive, papers related to civil rights activist Anne Braden, the photographic archives of the Louisville Defender, and the papers of influential African American locals including Lyman T. Johnson, Lois Morris, Grace James, and Frank L. Stanley.

Archives and Special Collections, the University of Louisville Libraries and the University are sincerely committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.  For more information, please see the Libraries Diversity and Inclusion website, the Office of Diversity & Equity website, the ASC Anti-Racist Statement and Plan, and the Land Acknowledgment.

Applications received by July 18, 2022 are given full consideration in the initial screening. The position will remain open until filled. Submit AS ONE PDF a letter of interest detailing your familiarity, aptitude, and/or experience with the required and desired qualifications; CV/resume; and name, address, phone number, and e-mail address of three references via the online application at UofL’s Human Resources site https://louisville.edu/jobs/  (Job ID 43680).

If you have questions or would like assistance with the application process, please contact the Search Committee chair:

Rachel Howard

Digital Initiatives Librarian

Archives and Special Collections

University of Louisville

Louisville, KY 40292

[email protected]

The University of Louisville is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, pregnancy, or veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact the Employment team at [email protected] or 502.852.6258.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in library/information science or other relevant field from an accredited program.
• Familiarity with metadata standards and schema, cataloging rules, and controlled vocabularies.
• Experience or focused coursework in creating, editing, and/or transforming metadata.
• Aptitude for learning new technologies and standards.
• Ability to analyze historical materials for their content.
• Detail-oriented, with strong organizational and analytic skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively in multiple formats to diverse audiences.
• Strong commitment to public service and proven ability to work effectively with a diverse population of faculty, staff, student, and community members.
• Ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively as both a team member and independently.
• Potential for meeting the university libraries faculty promotion and tenure requirements.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience in professional metadata creation in an academic or research library or equivalent professional venue (e.g. museum, grant project, historical society).
• Experience with databases or digital asset management systems.
• Experience with scripting languages and/or tools related to metadata manipulation.
• Experience with migration and remediation of legacy metadata.