Cataloging Librarian

University of California - Davis; Davis (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

UC Davis Library seeks a forward-looking Cataloging Librarian to advance discovery, organization, and curation of library resources. The role focuses on original cataloging, especially for special collections, and serves as an internal expert on metadata best practices.

Reporting to the Head of Content Support Services, you will train staff, collaborate on workflows, and liaise with PCC programs, NACO, and CONSER while exploring Linked Data and post-MARC approaches.

Job description

Position overview

Salary range: The eligible appointment range is Assistant Librarian, Salary Point 1 ($74,752 annually) to Associate Librarian, Salary Point 15 ($120,755 annually). A reasonable estimate for this position is $76,771-$97,577 annually; however, the final appointment salary will be based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience and may fall anywhere within the eligible range.

Application Window

Open date: November 6, 2026

Next review date: Tuesday, Dec 8, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Mar 31, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Cataloging Librarian

Library of the University of California, Davis

Overview of Position

The Library of the University of California (UC), Davis, seeks a forward-looking and entrepreneurial professional to join our team as the Cataloging Librarian and advance the library's efforts to improve the discovery, organization, and curation of library resources.

Reporting to the Head of Content Support Services, the Cataloging Librarian is responsible for performing original cataloging, especially for special collections materials and other areas of collection strength at UC Davis. This role will also serve as an internal expert for cataloging and metadata best practices for both traditional library collections as well as emerging and potential areas of curation. This position also serves as the library's liaison to the Name Authority Cooperative Program (NACO) and the Cooperative Online Serials Program (CONSER), manages cataloging projects, and collaborates closely with the Head of the Metadata Creation and Discovery Unit (MCDU) to provide training and consultation for MCDU team members.

As a member of the Content Support Services Department, the incumbent collaborates with others in the Scholarly Resources division to plan and coordinate policies, procedures, workflows, and projects.

The University will not sponsor work visas for this position. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate that they are legally authorized to work in the United States.

UC Davis and UC Davis Library

The University of California, Davis, is a global community of individuals united to better humanity and our natural world while seeking solutions to some of our most pressing challenges. Located near Sacramento, California's capital, UC Davis has more than 39,000 students, the full-time equivalent of 4,100 faculty and other academics and researchers, and 17,400 other personnel. The university has an annual sponsored research budget of over $960 million, includes a major academic health system, and over two dozen specialized research centers. Recognized as one of the top 10 public universities in the US and the number one university in the world for agricultural research and veterinary medicine, UC Davis offers interdisciplinary graduate study and more than 100 undergraduate majors in four colleges - Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Letters and Science. It also houses six professional schools - Education, Law, Management, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and Nursing. The university is a top-tier public university, with multiple top rankings in a variety of areas. In addition to the main campus in Davis and the medical center in Sacramento, UC Davis has research facilities in Bodega Bay and Tahoe and faculty in every county of the state through its agricultural extension program.

The UC Davis Library is ranked among the top academic research libraries in North America and belongs to the Association of Research Libraries and other organizations that position it to collaborate with other top organizations. The library utilizes Ex Libris's Alma as its resource management system and Primo VE as its discovery platform. The library is a member of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) and participates in the CONSER, NACO, and Subject Authority Cooperative (SACO) programs. Additionally, the library has begun transitioning its cataloging operations from MARC to Linked Data.

The successful candidate will have a strong foundation in bibliographic description rules, standards, and tools; be committed to collaborative, impactful problem-solving for the library and its users; demonstrate an appetite for emerging technologies such as Linked Data; and be capable of developing innovative solutions to complex problems.

The work location for this position is principally on campus, with some flexibility to work remotely per applicable Library policy.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we’re committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our campus strategic plan, and the library's strategic plan. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

Please visit the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy website to learn more about the University's Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role—or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every preferred requirement. #YouBelongHere

Position Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Head of Content Support Services, the incumbent will:

• Create metadata for a diverse range of materials, including materials in our distinctive collecting areas
• Provide training and consultation for colleagues, especially the Metadata Creation and Discovery Unit
• Working in conjunction with the Head of Content Support Services, set priorities for cataloging and processing of new materials, and help guide which materials are cataloged in-house and which are sent to a vendor for cataloging
• Serve as the library's NACO and CONSER liaison
• Design, oversee, and participate in bibliographic database cleanup and enrichment projects
• Participate in testing and evaluating Linked Data metadata creation environment(s), including testing cataloging tools and interfaces and training cataloging staff in post-MARC metadata production
• Maintain knowledge of current resource description standards and tools
• Contribute to the work of the Library through participation in committees, task forces, and other collaborative projects
• Participate in national and international professional organizations and activities
• As an academic appointee, engage actively in pertinent ongoing research, scholarship, or creative activity and/or teaching, including peer review, dissemination, and corresponding university and disciplinary engagement
• Carry out other duties and responsibilities, as assigned

Salary and Benefits

Rank and salary: The eligible appointment range is Assistant Librarian, Salary Point 1 ($74,752 annually) to Associate Librarian, Salary Point 15 ($120,755 annually). A reasonable estimate for this position is $76,771-$97,577 annually; however, the final appointment salary will be based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience and may fall anywhere within the eligible range.

The incumbent will be a member of the LX Collective Bargaining Unit represented by the University Council - American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT).

Benefits: The University of California is one of the largest employers in California, and offers outstanding health and retirement benefits to its employees and their families. Librarians are academic appointees and earn 24 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave per year. In addition, there are 13 university holidays.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

• Graduate degree in library science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent
• Minimum two years' professional cataloging experience with library materials (e.g., using RDA, AACR2R, LCSH, LCC, MARC 21 formats)
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new technologies, tools, workflows, and metadata practices
• Knowledge of emerging standards, technologies, and developments related to resource description and access
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, culturally diverse environment
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to meet UC criteria for appointment and advancement in the Librarian Series, including professional service and/or contributions to the field

Preferred qualifications

• Experience creating and/or editing NACO records; and with authority control processes
• Demonstrated experience working with official RDA guidelines
• Proficiency with metadata analysis and transformation tools (e.g., OpenRefine, MarcEdit) and scripting languages for data manipulation (e.g., Python, XSLT)
• Experience cataloging in a consortium environment
• Experience with non-MARC metadata standards
• Experience using and integrating RESTful APIs in library systems or metadata workflows
• Appetite to mentor library school interns
• Evidence of commitment to fostering an inclusive environment
• Demonstrated record of accomplishment in research, scholarship, or creative activity and/or teaching consonant with an academic appointment
• Ability to plan, implement, and coordinate multiple projects
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and solve problems, and to make sound decisions in a fast-paced, production-oriented environment
• Strong commitment to continued professional development
• Comfort with ambiguity
• Strong service orientation and interest in anticipating and supporting information users' values and needs

Application Requirements

Document requirements:

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter - Please include a letter of interest addressing qualifications and experience related to the position
• Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.

Reference requirements: 4-6 required (contact information only)

Names and contact information for at least four references.

Job location

Davis, CA