Metadata Librarian

Jobtailor; Maryland; On-site; USD 50,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in the United States manages a comprehensive archive, including paper documents, tapes, and digital media. The role involves cataloging, metadata creation, and preparing materials for transfer to retention centers.

Qualified candidates will hold an MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited program, with strong experience in databases, metadata, and library technical services. Physical handling of media up to 40+ pounds may be required.

Qualifications

• MLS or MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution.
• Experience with databases and agency-specific systems.
• Experience in library technical services, metadata standards, and workflows.
• Ability to lift boxes of media weighing over 40 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Support receipt, cataloging, evaluation, consolidation, and management of physical archive holdings.
• Review and inventory records for transfer to retention centers.
• Create or update catalog metadata per Library/WorldCat standards.
• Coordinate to annotate publications with archival link information.
• Ensure analog docs match digital contents prior to transfer or disposal.
• Maintain security of physical archives and follow emergency protocols.
• Lift boxes of media as needed, some over 40 pounds.

Skills

Metadata standards

Workflow development

Data analysis

Archivist experience

Education

MLS or MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution

Tools

Databases

Library systems

Office software

Job description

Responsibilities

• Support receipt, cataloging, evaluation, consolidation, disposition, metadata development, maintenance, shelving, and management of the agency’s physical archive holdings, including but not limited to paper documents, magnetic tapes, and various other digital media, fiche, film and other physical media
• Review, separate and inventory contents of records and non-records containers maintained at various facilities to prepare the records for transfer to the appropriate records retention center
• Create or update agency’s records and such other standards-compliant catalog metadata as per the agency’s Library and/or WorldCat
• Coordinate with the agency to ensure that publications are annotated with appropriate information to link publications to archival holdings
• Confirm that analog documentation matches digital archival contents prior to transferring or disposing of analog documentation
• Ensure physical archive records are reasonably secure and safe during and following an emergency situation to include following any established notification protocol (Though a rare occurrence, leaks and other emergencies threatening the security and integrity of the physical archives may occur)
• Ability to lift boxes of media, some of which may weigh more than 40 pounds (similar to a case of copier paper)

Requirements

• MLS or MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution
• Experience working in various databases and specialized systems unique to the agency, as well as common office automation and other software tools.
• Experience in library technical services, knowledge of library and data science best practices, standards-based metadata, and an ability to develop an effective workflow, tracking and reporting processes are required.
• Ability to lift boxes of media, some of which may weigh more than 40 pounds (similar to a case of copier paper)