Metadata Librarian

Hofstra University; Town of Hempstead (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hofstra University Library seeks a metadata librarian to support discovery, access, and stewardship of physical and digital resources through high-quality cataloging and metadata practices.

Reporting to the Chair of Technical and Digital Library Services, the Metadata Librarian serves as the Library’s primary professional resource for cataloging and metadata, providing expertise in original cataloging, metadata quality and remediation, and maintenance of standards, policies, and workflows.

Qualifications

• ALA accredited MLS/MLIS degree.
• At least one year of professional cataloging/metadata experience (RDA & MARC 21).
• Familiarity with metadata tools such as Connexion / MARC formats.
• Strong problem-solving and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Interest in expanding into data-related areas of librarianship.
• Ability to meet tenure and service requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for cataloging and metadata practices; maintainDocumentation.
• Perform original cataloging for various formats, including Special Collections.
• Monitor developments in cataloging standards and metadata trends.
• Collaborate with colleagues to address metadata needs and training.
• Serve as a liaison to campus partners and national metadata initiatives.
• Develop an additional area of specialization based on interests and institutional needs.
• Pursue professional development and contribute to new services.
• Conduct research and scholarly activities for tenure/promotion.
• Serve on university and department committees; perform related duties.

Skills

Cataloging experience

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Collaboration skills

Data-related interests

Tenure/promotion readiness

Education

ALA accredited MLS/MLIS degree

Tools

Metadata tools (Connexion)

Job description

About Hofstra:

At Hofstra University, intellectual curiosity is not just aspirational – it is central to how we engage on a daily basis. Hofstra faculty work within a diverse scholarly community committed to student success, intellectual discovery, free inquiry, inclusivity, and collaboration.
Enrolling more than 10,000 students, Hofstra offers students an array of undergraduate and graduate academic programs spanning the arts, humanities, sciences, business, engineering, law, health care, communications, and more.
Our accomplished faculty collaborate with students to explore interdisciplinary questions and produce innovative research that lays the foundation for future personal and professional success. With a beautiful campus in Hempstead, NY, Hofstra’s location seamlessly merges the tranquility of coastal suburban living with the boundless opportunities of nearby New York City.
Hofstra University is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a highly qualified and diverse academic community of students, faculty, staff, and administrators respectful of the contributions and dignity of each of its members. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community.

Position Title:

Metadata Librarian

Position Number:

896494

School/Division:

Library Operations

Description:

The Hofstra University Library seeks an innovative and collaborative Metadata Librarian to support the discovery, access, and stewardship of physical and digital resources through high-quality cataloging and metadata practices. Reporting to the Chair of Technical and Digital Library Services, the Metadata Librarian serves as the Library’s primary professional resource for cataloging and metadata, providing expertise in original cataloging, metadata quality and remediation, and maintenance of standards, policies, and workflows. The position also offers a significant opportunity for a librarian interested in expanding beyond traditional cataloging to help develop new services in data-related and digital areas of librarianship.
Working collaboratively with Library colleagues and campus partners, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to explore and develop an additional area of specialization based on their interests and expertise and the evolving needs of the University community, such as research data management, data curation, data visualization, digital scholarship, repository services, or other emerging areas that build upon or complement metadata expertise. We seek a colleague who is intellectually curious, enjoys working as part of a team, and is excited by the opportunity both to provide professional leadership for established metadata services and to help shape the future of Axinn Library.
In this position, the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Provide professional expertise and leadership for cataloging and metadata practices and workflows across the Library; develop and maintain documentation
• Perform original cataloging for materials in a variety of formats, including materials from Special Collections; enhance bibliographic records as appropriate
• Monitor developments in cataloging standards and emerging trends in metadata, linked data, and library technologies.
• Collaborate with Library colleagues to identify and address metadata needs, training needs, and services associated with physical and digital collections, library systems, repositories, and other initiatives.
• Serve as a liaison to campus partners, consortia, and national metadata initiatives.
• Develop an additional area of specialization based on professional interests, expertise, and institutional needs. Potential areas include research data management, data curation, data visualization, digital scholarship, repository services, assessment, open access publishing, or other data-related areas of librarianship.
• Pursue professional development in emerging areas of interest and contribute to the continued development and assessment of new services.
• Conduct research and scholarly activities to meet the Hofstra University Library criteria for promotion and tenure.
• Serve on University and department committees, task forces, and teams.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• ALA accredited M.L.S/M.L.I.S. degree.
• At least one year of professional experience with cataloging and metadata creation, including original or complex cataloging using RDA and MARC 21.
• Familiarity with metadata tools systems (e.g. OCLC’s Connexion, Bibliographic Formats and Standards, Library of Congress’ Classification Web).
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated interest in expanding beyond traditional cataloging and metadata into emerging or data-related areas of librarianship.
• Ability or potential to meet University requirements for scholarship and service associated with tenure and promotion.

Preferred Quals Summary:

Candidates are not expected to possess all preferred qualifications. We welcome candidates whose experience demonstrates strengths in some areas and an interest in developing others.

• Additional graduate degree (required for initial appointment at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank).
• Experience cataloging rare books, archives, manuscripts, or other distinctive or special collections materials.
• Experience with digital repositories, data management, or digital scholarship projects.
• Familiarity with XML, RDF, SPARQL, OpenRefine, or scripting languages (Python, R, etc.).
• Familiarity with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI
• Experience working in an academic library or research environment.
• Experience training, running workshops, or consulting on projects.

Deadline:

Open until filled

Tenure Track:

Yes

Date Posted:

09/23/2026

EEO Statement:

Hofstra University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to extending equal opportunity in employment to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Salary/Salary Range:

$75,000-$80,000