Metadata Strategies Librarian

University of California Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 102,121 - 119,820; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Comprehensive health benefits

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution is seeking an Associate Librarian to serve as a Metadata Strategies Librarian. This full-time position involves developing and implementing innovative metadata policies and standards to enhance the discoverability of library resources. Candidates must hold an advanced degree and have five years of cataloging experience. The role emphasizes collaboration and the use of emerging technologies within a diverse environment, ensuring resource access for all users.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree required at the time of application.
• Five years of professional cataloging or metadata experience required by start.

Responsibilities

• Implement new metadata policies and workflows.
• Evaluate and apply emerging applications for metadata quality.
• Support Library’s participation in PCC.

Skills

Cataloging

Metadata creation

Collaboration

Project management

Training effectiveness

Education

Advanced degree

Tools

Integrated Library System (ILS)

MARCEdit

OCLC Connexion Client

Job description

Position Overview

Position title: Associate Librarian – Librarian, Career Status or Potential Career

Employment Details

Status / Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum and maximum pay determined by rank and salary point at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t26-b.pdf. A reasonable estimate for this position is $102,121-$119,820.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: As early as May 2026. Start date is flexible.
Position duration: This is a full-time potential career appointment.

Application Window

Open date: February 23, 2026
Next review date: Monday, Mar 23, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026 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.

Position Description

The University of California, Berkeley Library seeks an innovative and collaborative Metadata Strategies Librarian to improve and transform the discovery of library resources by evaluating and implementing new and emerging workflows, standards, and technologies.

The Environment

The UC Berkeley Library is an internationally renowned research and teaching facility at the nation’s premier public university. A highly diverse and intellectually rich environment, Berkeley serves a campus community of 33,070 undergraduate students, 12,812 graduate students, and 1,525 faculty. The Library comprises 20 campus libraries, including the Doe Library, the Moffitt Library, the Bancroft Library, the C.V. Starr East Asian Library, and numerous subject specialty libraries. With a collection of more than 12 million volumes and a collections budget of over $15 million, the Library offers extensive resources in all formats and robust services to connect users with the collections and build their research skills. Discover more about our collections and services at the UC Berkeley Library website.

The Metadata Services department is part of the Collection Services Division (CSD), along with the Acquisitions department and the Preservation department. Metadata Services supports resource discovery and access by cataloging and physically processing library resources in all formats and languages (except Chinese, Japanese, and Korean) for the University (Main) Library and subject specialty libraries. The department also performs database maintenance to ensure accurate metadata and enhance resource discoverability.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Metadata Services, the Metadata Strategies Librarian will help lead efforts to implement new metadata initiatives and maximize the use of technology and emerging standards to foster workflow efficiency and innovation. This position will develop and contribute to policies, standards, and services that enhance the discoverability of the Library’s resources. The librarian will also support the Library’s participation in the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC).

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborates on the development and implementation of new metadata policies and workflows, such as linked data, to enhance access and discovery to the Library’s collections.
• Evaluates and implements emerging applications, such as artificial intelligence, and metadata standards with the goal of continually improving metadata quality and fostering workflow efficiency and innovation.
• Participates in the creation, development, implementation, and revision of department and library policies and procedures.
• Develops, implements, and oversees metadata remediation and enrichment projects to support current and future discoverability.
• Provides training to department and library staff.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships across the Library and beyond.
• Serves as liaison to the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC).

Commitment to Diversity and Equity

The UC Berkeley Library is committed to supporting and encouraging respect and empathy, and nurturing a culture where all employees thrive. The Library seeks candidates who recognize and appreciate one another’s contributions, expertise, and accomplishments, and will strive to provide equitable access to a diverse set of collections and services. For more information, please see the UC Berkeley Library Statement of Values.

UC professional librarians are academic appointees and are represented by an exclusive bargaining agent, the University Council – American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT). This position is in the bargaining unit. Librarians are entitled to appropriate professional development leave, vacation leave, sick leave, and all other benefits granted to non-faculty academic personnel. The University has an excellent retirement system and sponsors a variety of group health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans in addition to other benefits.

UC Berkeley Website: https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/
UC Berkeley Library Statement of Values: https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/about/library-values

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications (required at time of application)

Advanced degree.

Additional Qualifications (required at time of start)

Five years of professional cataloging or metadata creation experience using Resource Description and Access (RDA), Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), Library of Congress Classification (LCC), and MARC 21 formats.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited program or equivalent degree.
• Expert knowledge of latest cataloging standards and best practices (e.g., RDA, LCSH, LCC, MARC 21 formats for bibliographic and authority data, BIBCO Standard Record (BSR), CONSER Standard Record (CSR), etc.).
• Experience cataloging information resources in various formats (e.g., print and electronic books and serials, DVD and Blu-ray discs, music and non-music audio recordings, music scores, etc.).
• Experience using an integrated library system (ILS), preferably Ex Libris’ Alma.
• Experience using OCLC Connexion Client or WorldShare Record Manager.
• Experience evaluating, analyzing, and remediating metadata in batch using MarcEdit or other tools.
• Knowledge of and experience with non-MARC metadata.
• Experience contributing to the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC), including to BIBCO, CONSER, NACO, or SACO.
• Knowledge of emerging cataloging and metadata standards and technologies such as artificial intelligence and linked data.
• Experience in an academic library setting.
• Demonstrated success managing projects, leading and implementing change.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with various groups, both internally and externally.
• Ability to independently learn new skills and techniques to improve efficiency and work outcomes.
• Experience writing clear and effective procedures and documentation.
• Experience preparing and providing instruction or training to diverse learners.
• Excellent communication, critical thinking, analytical, and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to the Library’s Values.

Application Requirements

Document Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter

Reference Requirements

3-5 required (contact information only). References will only be contacted for individuals under serious consideration.

Apply Link

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04956
Help contact: [e-mail]

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Policies and Conditions

For more information, please refer to the University of California’s Anti-Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Unless stated otherwise, unambiguously, in the position description, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H‑1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
APM – 035: Aff​irmative Action and Non‑Discrimination in Employment