Cataloging/Metadata Analyst at Stony Brook University Libraries

Metro; Stony Brook (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

UUP location pay

Job summary

Stony Brook University Libraries seeks a skilled Cataloging/Metadata Analyst to support acquisition, description, discovery, preservation, and access of rare books, manuscripts, and special collections. The role reports to the Director of Special Collections and University Archives and contributes to archival processing, cataloging, metadata creation, and public services.

Responsibilities include applying standards, creating authority records, and using AI-assisted tools to enhance metadata

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required; foreign equivalent accepted.
• Three (3) years of full-time relevant professional experience.
• Experience with metadata creation, original cataloging, metadata management, or related work in an academic library or archives.
• Experience with library/archives systems, digital repositories, or related technologies.

Responsibilities

• Create, edit, and maintain original and enhanced catalog records and metadata for rare books, manuscripts, and digital collections.
• Apply national/international standards to ensure discovery and preservation; leverage AI-assisted tools with professional review.
• Describe archival materials; arrange, describe, preserve, and rehouse collections following best practices.
• Provide reference and research assistance; supervise reading rooms; support public programming.
• Recruit and supervise student assistants; collaborate with departments on cataloging, digitization, ILL, and access initiatives.

Skills

Metadata creation

Original cataloging

Metadata management

AI-assisted tools

Archival standards

Authority control

DACS

EAD

MARC21

Dublin Core

Education

Master’s degree

Tools

Alma

OCLC Connexion

Digital repositories

Job description

Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume):

Master’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher). Three (3) years of full-time relevant professional experience. Experience in metadata creation, original cataloging, metadata management, or related content services work in an academic library, research library, archives, or comparable cultural heritage organization. Experience working with library/archives management systems, digital repository platforms, or related technologies.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with Alma (Library Management System) and OCLC Connexion. Knowledge of archival/library standards including DACS, EAD, MODS, MARC21, Dublin Core, authority control and controlled vocabularies. Demonstrated interest in leveraging emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). Participation in/contributions to the cataloging and metadata communities (national/international). Experience working with diverse formats and subject areas. Experience in creating authority records.

Brief Description of Duties:

The Cataloging/Metadata Analyst supports the acquisition, description, discovery, preservation, and accessibility of the Libraries’ rare books, manuscripts, and other distinctive collections. Reporting to the Director of Special Collections and University Archives, the position contributes to archival processing, cataloging, metadata creation, public services, and departmental operations. Through high-quality archival practices and user-centered services, the Cataloging/Metadata Analyst enhances the discovery, preservation, and use of Special Collections materials.

The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to learn new technologies, adapt to evolving archival and metadata standards, and work effectively in a collaborative environment with researchers, students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Cataloging, Metadata & Archival Description:

Create, edit, and maintain original and enhanced catalog records (original and copy cataloging plus related authority work), archival descriptions, and metadata for rare books, manuscripts, university archives, audiovisual materials, photographs, maps, and digital collections.

Apply national and international cataloging, metadata, and archival description standards to ensure accurate discovery, long-term preservation, and access. Utilize AI-assisted tools, when appropriate, to enhance metadata creation, description, quality assurance, and workflow efficiency while ensuring professional review and adherence to archival/library standards.

Archival Processing, Collections Management & Preservation

Arrange, describe, preserve, and rehouse archival collections in accordance with archival best practices. Prepare, maintain, and update finding aids to support collection discovery and accessibility. Perform the physical retrieval, transport, shelving, and re-shelving of archival and special collections materials. Collaborate with library departments on cataloging/metadata, preservation digitization, interlibrary loan, and collection access initiatives to support the stewardship and accessibility of collections.

Reference, Research & Public Services

Provide reference and research assistance to faculty, students, university administrators, community members, and visiting scholars through in-person, virtual, telephone, and email communications, including the identification, retrieval, and interpretation of archival and special collections materials. Supervise Special Collections reading rooms.

Support public programming that promotes awareness and use of Special Collections and University Archives including participation in exhibitions, tours, class visits, instructional sessions, and community outreach activities.

Student/Intern Supervision & Departmental Operations

Recruitment, training, supervision and evaluation of student assistants and interns; departmental operational support. Collaboration with other library departments on cataloging/metadata, preservation digitization, ILL and collection-access initiatives; participation in cross-departmental collection projects.

Assessment, Professional Development & Service

Collect and analyze departmental data for contribution to strategic planning, assessment, reporting, and documentation that supports departmental priorities and continuous improvement.

Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and department mission.

Special Notes:

This is a full-time appointment. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.

In addition to the employee’s base salary, this position is eligible for $4,000 UUP annual location pay, paid biweekly.

For this position, we are unable to sponsor candidates for work visas.

Essential Position: This has been designated as an essential position based on the duties of the job and the functions performed. Positions that are designated as such may be required to report to work/remain at work even if classes are canceled, and the campus is working on limited operations in an emergency.

Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call the university Office of Equity and Access (OEA) at [phone] or visit OEA.

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Job Number: 2603513

Official Job Title: Instructional Support Specialist

Job Field: Administrative & Professional (non-Clinical)

Department/Hiring Area: Libraries

Posting Start Date: Oct 15, 2026

Posting End Date: Nov 14, 2026, 11:59:00 PM