Metadata Librarian
University Park, PA
Salary and rank commensurate with qualifications and experience
 
The Pennsylvania State University Libraries seeks an innovative and highly motivated librarian to provide creative leadership and expertise in developing and maintaining  metadata to effectively provide access to the Libraries' digital resources covering all subjects and languages according to nationally recognized standards.  This is a tenure track faculty position and the Metadata Librarian is a member of the University Libraries faculty. 
 
Responsibilities: Reporting to the head of Cataloging and Metadata Services, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing expertise and leadership to the Libraries' digital and scholarly communications initiatives by providing metadata and metadata guidelines for digital collections.  Collaborate with other librarians and library staff, Penn State Press staff, Penn State faculty, and colleagues in other research institutions to evaluate and apply appropriate metadata schemas for digital collections held by the Libraries and University.  Provide leadership in the development of standards, policies and procedures across Technical Services, with particular responsibility for digital resources.  As a member of the Digital Technology Advisory Group, manage and coordinate the process of implementing metadata, including needs assessment, metadata scheme adaptation, metadata interoperability, project management, and working with partners from various units.  Serve as a resource person for faculty and staff throughout the Libraries concerning access to library materials. Present information about digital initiatives and metadata in particular to a variety of audiences.  Create and maintain local  documentation on metadata standards and metadata application guidelines. Monitor and contribute to the development of national standards regarding the bibliographic control of digital resources.  Explore new technologies and developments in digital applications and metadata implementation.  Train staff to provide metadata for digital resources and provide quality control for digital object metadata.  Participate in departmental and Libraries-wide committees, task forces and teams. 
 
Qualifications:  ALA-accredited MLS or equivalent degree; knowledge of AACR2r, LCSH, LC classification, USMARC formats, integrated library system software, and OCLC Connexion; knowledge of digital asset management systems, such as CONTENTdm; experience with one or more of the following standards: EAD, Dublin Core, XML, OAI, METS, VRACore and PBCore; knowledge of how digital library collections are used in an academic setting; strong technical skills and problem-solving abilities; excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; strong commitment to excellent service and the ability to work independently and collaboratively with a wide variety of library staff and users; reading knowledge of a foreign language; ability to work well with a diverse employee and user community and to work within a collegial environment.  Preferred: Two years experience with initiatives to provide access to digital resources; experience in the use and manipulation of Perl scripts; experience with text encoding and analysis.
 
The University Libraries: Established in 1855, Penn State is a Carnegie I comprehensive research university with a strong land grant mission. "America's Best Colleges 2004" in U.S. News & World Reports, ranks Penn State 15th among top national doctoral universities. The University Libraries, with an annual budget of $41 million and a collection of over 5 million volumes, ranks among the top fifteen ARL research libraries in North America. The University Libraries comprise 38 libraries located on 24 Penn State campuses throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 159 librarians and professional staff, 403 support staff, and 89 FTE student assistants serve 84,000 students and 6,500 faculty. Libraries memberships include ARL, OCLC, RLG, PALCI (Pennsylvania Academic Library Consortium, Inc.), Palinet, CRL, DLF, and the CIC (Big Ten) consortium.

Salary and Benefits: Potential for promotion and tenure will be considered based upon University standards in librarianship, research, service, and outreach.  Salary and rank commensurate with qualifications and experience. Excellent fringe benefits include liberal vacation, excellent insurance and health care coverage. State or TIAA/CREF retirement options, and educational privileges.

Applications: To apply, send nominations or letters of application (including current resume and name and contact information of three professional references) to: Libraries Human Resources, Box MDL-DLF, The Pennsylvania State University, 511 Paterno Library, University Park, PA 16802. Review of resumes will begin on August 1, 2006 and continue until the position is filled.

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and diversity of its workforce.