Career Center

DPL is hiring a Senior Special Collections Librarian to lead the Cataloging and Digital Collections team. You will oversee cataloging, digital collections, and cartographic resource operations for DPL’s Special Collections and Archives Department. This includes management of full-time and part-time librarians and staff who support these responsibility areas.

• Provides oversight for the department's cataloging and metadata creation operations, including maintenance for ILS and digital collections. 

• In collaboration with the cataloging librarian and staff, and utilizing national best practices as a guide, this position ensures responsible and timely cataloging for published materials, including rare books and donations.

• Provides oversight for the department's digital collection operations by working with the digital collections librarian and staff to ensure our digital collections program is active, robust, and sustainable. 

• Ensures the digitization program is properly supported and maintained. 

• Provides oversight for the department's large historic map and genealogical map collection by working with the map and geospatial librarian to ensure collection stays relevant for our community.

• Actively participates in the library's ongoing efforts to pursue racial justice through cataloging and metadata remediation and enhancement.

• Serves as coordinator and/or administrator for projects, initiatives, and grants related to operational responsibilities. Where applicable, seeks out grant funding for special projects to support the library’s and the department’s mission to promote special collections to our community and to ensure collection discoverability.

• Creates positive experiences for library customers by performing professional library work including western history and genealogy reference service, programming and outreach. This may include evening and weekend shifts.

This position is a part of the Special Collections and Archives leadership team and works with three fellow Senior Special Collections Librarians and the Special Collections and Archives Manager to create a cohesive and unified department.   

Do you have a passion for libraries and archives? Are you passionate about public service? Do you have a strong sense of inquiry and excitement to share the story of our region’s history? Are you a team player with a strong track record of collaboration and problem solving?

For the Senior Special Collections Librarian - Cataloging and Digital Collections role, we’re looking for someone who have a vision and can create a plan for successful execution and has some or all of the following skills and experiences:

• A passion for archives and special collections work in a public library setting with preference for a knowledge about or interest in United States and American Western history.

• Experience as a supervisor of staff, volunteers and/or interns including teaching and assisting with technology and new processes.

• General knowledge of cataloging and metadata trends for special collections; digital collection processes and standards; and of issues related to access and discovery of digital collections. Finds following workflows satisfying and thrives on attention to detail.

• Excellent organizational skills and an ability to manage multiple projects at once with an attention to detail and strong stakeholder communication.

• Strong writing, communication  and customer service skills.

• Experience and knowledge using archival content management systems and digital asset management systems, ideally as administrator overseeing metadata creation standards and ingest of digital objects.

• Ability to use workplace technology effectively including email, calendar, internet, video conferencing, searching databases, creating spreadsheets. 

• Ability to demonstrate initiative, innovation and flexibility, including proposing process improvements; work well under pressure and meet deadlines and have excellent problem solving skills.

• Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, positive attitude, cultural sensitivity and a sense of humor in working with customers, coworkers and community members.

We know your time is valuable. Applicants who meet the following minimum requirements will be considered:

• Master's Degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited institution

• Three (3) years of post-MLS  work experience in a library. Experience leading a cataloging or metadata team in a public or academic library setting is preferred.

Please submit a cover letter describing your interest in this position.

Please submit a resume outlining your work experience and educational background.

We anticipate this position to close on 2/11/23. Please submit an application, resume, and cover letter at your earliest convenience in order to be considered.