Director of Cataloging and Metadata Services (CMS)

Cornell University Library seeks a Director of Cataloging and Metadata Services (CMS) who will provide leadership, guidance, expertise, encouragement, and inspiration to a department whose mission is to enable and enhance discovery and access to library resources to meet the research and teaching needs of one of the nation’s premier universities. Currently comprising 19 staff, including 9 librarians, CMS is responsible for MARC cataloging at all levels (though primarily original) and in all formats and languages for most of Cornell’s unit libraries, including rare books and music. In addition, the department’s metadata librarians provide expert advice, consulting and transformation services for the use of non-MARC metadata in digital projects and for the curation of scientific research data in diverse subject areas. The metadata librarians also follow, recommend, and develop best practices for the use of file formats, standards, and schemes for sharing, re-use, and preservation of metadata. The Director sets achievable goals for CMS to address evolving user needs, working closely with other LTS directors and with leaders in other library divisions, such as information technology, collection development, collection management, digital preservation, virtual libraries, and access services.

Already well-known nationally for its innovative and cutting-edge approaches to both traditional and evolving technical services functions, LTS – along with its divisional counterparts at the Columbia University Libraries – have recently embarked on a significant, potentially groundbreaking collaborative project: the integration of Cornell and Columbia technical services into a single administrative entity. Part of the broader “2CUL” initiative, Technical Services Integration (TSI) aims to consolidate operations at both institutions, in conjunction with the potential implementation of a single, shared library management system by summer 2015. The Director of Cataloging and Metadata Services will play a critical role in 2CUL TSI and must therefore be an exceptional advocate for CMS staff, versatile as a manager and leader, flexible in outlook, and a very good team player. Further, s/he must be able to balance and integrate the mission, concerns, and intellectual frameworks of both “traditional” MARC cataloging and non-MARC metadata processing within a department that is strongly engaged with both access paradigms.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Under the general direction of the Director of Library Technical Services (LTS), provides leadership, guidance, expertise, encouragement, and inspiration to CMS staff, including regular performance reviews.
•  Oversees and participates in the creation and maintenance of policies and procedures to support standardized cataloging and metadata practices.
• Develops, arranges, and/or otherwise provides training to library staff for resource description and metadata management, including support for other continuing education opportunities.
• Coordinates the department's work with other units within and beyond LTS.
•  Promotes metadata services to faculty and researchers; seeks collaborative opportunities with faculty and researchers to support their information organization, description, and discovery needs.
• Works closely with the Scientific Research Data Curation Specialist and other appropriate staff to shape the library’s services for e-science, digital data curation, and cyberscholarship for all disciplines.
• Manages CMS budget accounts that cover staff costs, travel, income, and software.
• Serves on and actively participates in the LTS Senior Management Team to support and advance a culture of innovation, collaboration, service, and respect within LTS and beyond.
• Serves as primary contact and coordinator for outsourcing and insourcing of cataloging and metadata work.
• Serves as the primary spokesperson for CMS and LTS on matters related to resource description.
• Plays a leadership role in the 2CUL initiative, especially in regard to cataloging and metadata activities and Technical Services Integration.
• Participates in the evaluation, development, and implementation of schemes to support and enhance information discovery and retrieval in the library’s data management systems.
•  Keeps abreast of new and emerging descriptive practices and tools.
• Monitors and supports Cornell’s commitments to national programs such as the PCC, BIBCO, CONSER, NACO, and eCIP.
• Plays an active role in CUL working groups, task forces, and committees; participates actively in cataloging and/or metadata committees, academic research, and/or publication on the local, regional, and national level.

Supervision of others: Supervises 10 staff members, including 5 catalog librarians, 3 metadata librarians, a rare books copy cataloger, and the administrative supervisor for the non-academic original cataloging team.

Knowledge/Experience Requirements: M.L.S. or equivalent graduate degree. Demonstrated success in leading and motivating others; supervisory and/or project management experience in a college or university library setting preferred. Extensive experience in the resource description field, preferably within a large academic or research library. Strong working knowledge of cataloging rules (including RDA), metadata schemes, formats, standards, and protocols. Familiarity and interest in the application of technology to descriptive practices. Evidence of strong service orientation and interest in library users' values and needs. Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing environments and ability to plan and solve problems creatively. Record of effective participation in professional organizations. Outstanding collegial, interpersonal and communication skills. Spirit of adventure.

Contacts:

• Frequent interaction with department staff and LTS managers
• Regular interaction with staff across CUL and the university, including faculty
• Regular interaction with counterparts at other large research libraries, especially at the Columbia University Libraries
• Background: Cornell University is an Ivy League comprehensive research university located in Ithaca in the scenic Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. The town and university offer a unique cosmopolitan and international atmosphere in a beautiful natural setting of waterfalls, gorges, and lakes. The university comprises 14 schools with 2600 faculty members and 20,000 students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. The Cornell University Library is a vigorous professional organization with a strong track record in innovation and service quality. It contains nearly 8 million printed volumes, 62,000 current serials, 378,000 networked electronic resources, and rich materials in other formats. The Library was a recipient of the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Excellence in Academic Libraries Award in 2002.

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including 22 vacation days, 11 paid holidays, health insurance, life insurance, and university retirement contributions (TIAA-CREF and other options). Professional travel funding available.

Application Procedure: Applications requested by November 15, 2012. To apply for this position go to http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/jobs/, search under the job category of Librarians, and select job number 18625. Follow the instructions for online submission – only online submissions will be accepted. Please include a cover letter, resume, and the names, phone numbers, and addresses for three references.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York, is an inclusive, dynamic, and innovative Ivy League university and New York's land-grant institution. Its staff, faculty, and students impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas and best practices to further the university's mission of teaching, research, and outreach. We value qualified candidates who can bring to our community a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Cornell University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer.