Metadata Librarian for Digital Collections

Association of Research Libraries; Zhob; On-site; PKR 18,001,000 - 24,924,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Alabama at Birmingham seeks a Metadata Librarian for Digital Collections to design, implement, and maintain metadata standards and workflows for discovery and long-term management of digital materials.

The role focuses on creating enhanced descriptive metadata, applying Dublin Core guidelines, and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders in the Digital Services Team.

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Science.
• Experience creating and enhancing descriptive metadata for a wide range of digital material types.
• Working knowledge of subject headings, record formats, controlled vocabularies, and standards related to metadata services.
• Experience with project management, including planning, communication, and delivery.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders including faculty, researchers, and library staff.
• Adaptability to changing digital environments and workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and maintains metadata standards and workflows to support discovery, access, and long-term management of digital collections.
• Creates and enhances descriptive metadata for diverse digital material types following Dublin Core and related frameworks.
• Manages bulk record import processes and large-scale data cleanup projects.
• Assesses metadata quality, consistency, and completeness; recommends remediation strategies.
• Leads metadata enhancement initiatives including normalization and enrichment; coordinates with stakeholders.
• Uses tools/scripts for metadata transformation (batch editing, crosswalking, data migration) when applicable.
• Contributes to management of student assistants and interns.
• Participates in library and campus teams, working groups, and user groups focused on metadata and digital services.

Skills

metadata workflows

cross-team collaboration

project management

communication with stakeholders

metadata transformation tools

Education

MLS/MLIS

Tools

Ex Libris Alma/Specto

MarcEdit

OpenRefine

Python

Job description

Metadata Librarian for Digital Collections

University of Alabama at Birmingham Job Location: Apply By: Open until filled Date Created: 10/26/2026

Position Description:

The Metadata Librarian for Digital Collections is a core member of the Digital Services Team with primary focus on the design, implementation, and maintenance of metadata standards, workflows, and documentation that support the discovery, access, and long-term management of digital collections. This position reports to the Head of Digital Services within the Technology and Technical Services Division of UAB Libraries.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develops, implements, and maintains metadata standards and workflows to support the discovery, access, and long-term management of digital collections; develops documentation and guidelines for metadata creation, transformation, and maintenance
• Creates, edits, and enhances descriptive metadata for a wide range of digital material types; applies and promotes best practices aligned with Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI) standards and related frameworks
• Manages bulk record import processes and large-scale data cleanup projects
• Conducts in-depth assessment of existing digital collections metadata for quality, consistency, and completeness; recommends and executes remediation strategies to improve discoverability and interoperability
• Leads metadata enhancement initiatives for digital collections, including normalization and enrichment processes; coordinates adopted enhancements with various internal and external collection stakeholders
• Utilizes tools and scripts for metadata transformation when applicable (e.g., batch editing, crosswalking, data migration)
• Contributes to the overall management of departmental student assistants and interns
• Actively participates in relevant library and campus teams, committees, and working groups; participates in local, national, and/or international user groups with focus on metadata development and/or digital services and initiatives
• Participates in professional service and scholarship activities in accordance with faculty guidelines for appointment and promotion
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLS/MLIS)
• Experience creating and enhancing descriptive metadata for a wide range of digital material types
• Working knowledge of a variety of subject headings, record formats, controlled vocabularies, and standards as they relate to metadata services
• Experience with project management, including planning, communication, and delivery
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders, including faculty, researchers, and library staff
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing digital environments and workflows

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2 or more years of experience creating descriptive metadata for digital objects
• 2 or more years of experience working with a large-scale Library Services Platform, preferably the Ex Libris Alma/Specto platform, or similar
• 1 or more years of experience working in a library technical services area
• Experience working with Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI) standards and related frameworks
• Experience using common tools for batch editing, data cleaning, and data transformation (e.g., MarcEdit, OpenRefine, Python)

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