Department: Library Collections, Discovery & Digital Strategy
Rank: Assistant Librarian
Annual Basis: 12 Month

Review of Applications Begins

December 27, 2024; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure consideration, a complete application must include:
1. A current resume/CV.
2. A cover letter demonstrating how your skills and experience meet the minimum and preferred qualifications for the position.
3. Three (3) professional references with contact information. References will not be contacted until you are notified.

Department Summary

About the University
The University of Oregon is one of only two Pacific Northwest members of the Association of American Universities and holds the distinction of a “very high research activity” ranking in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The UO enrolls more than 20,000 undergraduate and 3,600 graduate students representing all 50 states and nearly 100 countries. The University of Oregon is guided by a diversity framework that involves a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. In recent years, the university has increased the diversity of its student body, as well as campus-wide efforts to build a welcoming, inclusive community. The UO’s 295-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities in an arboretum-like setting within the traditional homelands of the Kalapuya people. The UO is located in Eugene, a vibrant city of 157,000 with a wide range of cultural and culinary offerings, a pleasant year-round climate, and a community engaged in environmental and social concerns. The campus is within easy driving distance of the Pacific Coast, the Cascade Mountains, and Portland.

About the UO Libraries
The University of Oregon Libraries is an essential partner in the University of Oregon’s educational, research, and public service mission. With five locations on the Eugene campus and branches at UO Portland and the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, the UO Libraries offers many flexible service- and technology-rich environments for our users’ research, learning, and publishing needs.

The UO Libraries’ mission is informing research and learning breakthroughs for Oregon. We strive to realize our vision of being a model for the enduring, positive impact that research libraries can have on their academic and civic communities. We do that with an unwavering commitment to our values. Learn more about the UO Libraries’ strategic design, our values, and our goals at library.uoregon.edu/strategy

The University of Oregon Libraries is a member of the Big Ten Academic Alliance, the Orbis Cascade Alliance, SPARC, the Center for Research Libraries, DuraSpace, the Coalition for Networked Information, EDUCAUSE, and other major organizations.

​​About Resource Description Services
Resource Description Services supports original and copy cataloging for all types of materials in a variety of languages, as well as metadata management and authority control for MARC and non-MARC collections. The department works closely with Collection Strategies, Special Collections and University Archives, the Beach Lab, and others within the Libraries and UO campus to provide intellectual and physical access to collections, as well as cataloging and metadata solutions that support the management and discovery of scholarly resources. The department builds strong relationships with external partners to lead advances in practice and to contribute expertise to regional, national, and international associations related to cataloging and metadata.

​The department overseen by the Director of Resource Description Services includes Career Faculty Librarians, Officers of Administration, and Classified Staff. Key activities include: analyzing and describing the content of library resources for the public catalog; batch-loading records for e-resource collections; ensuring the quality of data in the Libraries’ public catalog; creating and maintaining authority records to ensure consistency in name and subject access points; preparing physical materials for use; and withdrawal of material from the collection.

Position Summary

​​The Metadata Management Librarian plays a pivotal role in ensuring discovery and access to the University of Oregon Libraries' collections by coordinating and providing expertise in metadata management, batch processing, and quality control. This position emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and professional growth, making it an exciting opportunity for candidates passionate about transforming library metadata to meet the evolving needs of users.

​In this role, the Metadata Management librarian will design, manage, and enhance metadata workflows within Ex Libris' Alma, the UO Libraries' integrated library system. They will lead metadata transformation and enhancement projects that align with the strategic goals of the library. A key component of the role is providing training and development opportunities for staff, empowering colleagues with knowledge of best practices in metadata management and batch processing.

​The Metadata Management Librarian will develop and maintain documentation to ensure clear, comprehensive guidance for metadata workflows. Analyzing and streamlining cataloging processes to optimize efficiency will also be a central part of the work. The librarian will coordinate and troubleshoot batch processes—such as loading, exporting, and transforming metadata—ensuring data consistency and accuracy. Additionally, this position will play a leadership role in electronic resources cataloging, contributing to the effective management of the UO Libraries’ collection.

​The Metadata Management Librarian participates in appropriate professional development activities and organizations to stay current with trends and practices in the field, and to meet criteria for promotion and retention. This position contributes to the University’s goals regarding equity and inclusion.

​We seek candidates who thrive in collaborative environments, enjoy innovative problem-solving, and are excited about professional growth opportunities. Applicants with a passion for metadata, batch processing, and teamwork are encouraged to join us and help shape the future of library services at the University of Oregon.

​We are aware that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every preferred qualification in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and recognize that a successful candidate may come from a less traditional career trajectory, such as having skills and abilities gained outside a classroom context, or an equivalent skill set. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of our preferred qualifications.​

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Qualifications for the Rank of Assistant Librarian:
• Master’s Degree in Library/Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent international terminal degree -OR- Terminal degree in a relevant field (e.g., PhD or equivalent, depending on discipline).
AND
• One year post-degree experience copy and/or original cataloging in an academic library.

Minimum qualifications for rank of Associate Librarian:
• Master’s Degree in Library/Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent international terminal degree -OR- Terminal degree in a relevant field (e.g., PhD or equivalent, depending on discipline).
AND
• Six (6) years post-degree experience including two (2) years' experience with copy and/or original cataloging in an academic library.

Professional Competencies

• ​​​​Knowledge of cataloging standards, practices, and products, including but not limited to LC classification, Library of Congress Subject Headings and other LC controlled vocabularies, MARC formats, RDA, AACR2, LC-PCC Policy Statements, BIBCO Standard Record.
• ​Ability to use RDA, MARC21, and OCLC Connexion.
​• Ability to work directly with applications of integrated library systems.
​• Proficiency with using Microsoft Excel or similar spreadsheet software, particularly for text manipulation.
​• Competence with programmatic tools for metadata manipulation, such as MarcEdit, Open Refine, and the OCLC WorldCat and Ex Libris Alma APIs.
​• Problem-solving, workflow analysis, and project leadership skills.
​• Aptitude for complex, analytical work with attention to detail.
​• Ability to create and maintain written technical documentation for procedures and workflows.
​• Excellent communication skills.
​• Ability to work effectively with all levels of staff and with people of culturally diverse backgrounds.​​

Preferred Qualifications

• ​​Experience manipulating metadata and automating tasks with scripting languages, such as Python, automation tools, such as AutoIt, or macros.
​• Proficiency with Microsoft Access or another relational database.
​• Experience with Ex Libris’ Alma ILS system.
• ​Experience in developing and delivering training on technical processes.
• ​Ability to diagnose and resolve technical issues related to accessing online resources and using software.
​• Familiarity with electronic resource management in the context of academic libraries.​

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit https://hr.uoregon.edu/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.