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  4. Metadata Librarian (Continuing Resources)

Metadata Librarian (Continuing Resources)

The Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries invites applications and nominations for the position of Metadata Librarian (Continuing Resources). The Metadata Librarian (Continuing Resources) is responsible for coordinating and performing original and complex copy cataloging, with a focus on continuing resources in print and electronic formats across the collections of the VCU Libraries. The successful candidate will join a culturally and academically diverse faculty of the highest caliber.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Resource Acquisition and Metadata Services, and recognized as a contributing team member of metadata colleagues, the Metadata Librarian (Continuing Resources) coordinates and performs original and complex copy cataloging, with a focus on serial formats and government documents. This position provides oversight for vendor-supplied MARC records, knowledge base records, and contract cataloging of continuing resources. This position uses in-depth, specialized knowledge of metadata standards to catalog library resources and maintain descriptions, including reparative metadata, batch record manipulation with metadata applications, and remediation of current records for improved access.

In addition, the Metadata Librarian (Continuing Resources) is responsible for:

  • complex metadata projects, including records remediation of serials collections;
  • reparative metadata planning, organizing, and cataloging;
  • training and managing student employees and staff in complex projects;
  • developing scripts and normalization rules that support efficient data interoperability;
  • engaging in regional and national communities of practice, integrating evolving standards.

The successful candidate will join 5 faculty and 6 professional staff as a member of the Resource Acquisition and Metadata Services (RAMS) department. RAMS leads the acquisitions and cataloging of the Libraries collections, the fiscal administration of the Libraries collections budget, the licensing of electronic resources, and the strategic direction and maintenance of metadata in MARC formats across systems. In addition, the successful candidate will work in close collaboration with the Electronic and Continuing Resources (ECR) Department, which is responsible for managing the library’s ongoing subscriptions, ensuring seamless access to print and electronic journals.

The faculty of the Resource Acquisition and Metadata Services department are educators. This position will advance cataloging and metadata education through hands-on training, intern supervision, and other professional development activities. The Metadata Librarian (Continuing Resources) is supported to be active professionally and to contribute to developments in the field. Faculty with the VCU Libraries are evaluated, and promoted, on the basis of job performance, scholarship, and service.

Qualifications

Required

  • ALA-accredited graduate degree or accredited graduate degree in another appropriate discipline.
  • Demonstrated experience in complex cataloging and descriptive work with continuing resources that demonstrates problem-solving, flexibility, judgment, and attention to detail.
  • Significant knowledge of and ability to apply the following cataloging practices: Resource Description and Access (RDA), the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR2), Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), Library of Congress Classification (LCC), Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms (LCGFT), and MARC21 formats for bibliographic, holdings, and authority data.
  • Experience cataloging through integrated library systems (Ex Libris Alma preferred) and bibliographic utilities (OCLC Connexion).
  • Demonstrated facility manipulating large volumes of MARC-based and/or catalog data in a timely fashion.
  • Demonstrated excellence in working both independently and collaboratively in a changing multi-departmental environment.
  • Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

Preferred

  • Significant knowledge of and experience with creating original BIBCO and/or CONSER level records.
  • Experience with contributing and/or proposing headings through the Name Authority Cooperative Program (NACO) and/or the Subject Authority Cooperative Program (SACO).
  • Demonstrated experience in planning and/or overseeing team-based cataloging projects, vendor-supplied metadata projects, or outsourcing.
  • Demonstrated experience cataloging in one or more non-English languages, or experience with transcribing and transliterating non-Roman scripts.
  • Familiarity with electronic government documents, including FDLP Superintendent of Documents classification scheme (SuDoc) and Item numbers.
  • Familiarity with the unique challenges of electronic resources description and access, including the NISO KBART Recommended Practice, interaction of metadata with discovery layers, and management of records in knowledge bases.
  • Experience using editing and/or scripting tools, like MarcEdit, OpenRefine, or Python, to create and remediate MARC-based and/or catalog data in batch.

Candidates need not meet preferred qualifications to be fully considered. We value individual and unique skills that would strengthen the VCU Libraries and our teams.

Salary

Salary commensurate with experience, not less than $70,000 annually. This is a full-time, non-tenured faculty position. 12-month faculty benefits apply, including 24 vacation days annually and choice of retirement and annuity plans. Librarians are provided a generous professional development allowance. For more information about benefits, see the Faculty Benefits page.

Interviews

Initial interviews will be conducted virtually. We anticipate inviting finalists to campus.

Learn about the position in an online information session

We are hosting information sessions for interested applicants in advance of the February 20, 2026 review date.

Please consider joining one of these sessions to learn more about the position, meet the supervisor, Amanda Echterling, and get answers to your questions about the position.

Join one of our info sessions via Zoom:

  • Friday, January 23, 2026 | Noon - 12:45 p.m. ET
  • Monday, February 9, 2026 | Noon - 12:45 p.m. ET

The attendee list for each Zoom session will be hidden and those asking questions may do so anonymously. Live captioning will be provided. To attend a session, please complete the confidential form to receive a Zoom link.

Questions? Please contact: Amanda Echterling at amechterling@vcu.edu

Virginia Commonwealth University is an urban research institution with a richly diverse university community and commitment to multicultural opportunities. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation or disability.