Religious Collections Cataloging Librarian

Indiana University; Bloomington (IN); On-site; USD 63,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Indiana University Bloomington’s Lilly Library seeks a collaborative librarian to catalog religion and spirituality materials across formats. The role involves leading projects, collaborating with the Curator of Religious Collections, and shaping cataloging policy within a collaborative IU Libraries environment.

The position is tenure-track with ongoing professional development and service expectations, contributing to national standards in rare materials cataloging.

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited library or information science degree (or international equivalent).
• Minimum of 2 years professional cataloging experience.
• Knowledge of MARC21, RDA, and Library of Congress classification/subject headings.
• Reading knowledge of one or more languages in Lilly Library collections.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary cataloger for Lilly Library religion and spirituality materials in all formats.
• Organize and lead special projects on intellectual and physical control of religion and spirituality materials.
• Collaborate with the Curator of Religious Collections to promote awareness of the Lilly Library’s religion collections.
• Participate in departmental conversations and contribute to policy development and documentation.
• Monitor national developments in cataloging standards and best practices and implement as needed.
• Engage in service and professional development activities to advance practice.

Skills

MARC21

RDA

LCC Classification

LCC Subject Headings

Languages

Education

ALA-accredited MLS

Tools

PCC NACO

PCC SACO

Job description

Title Religious Collections Cataloging Librarian Appointment Status Tenure Track Department IU Bloomington Libraries Location Bloomington Position Summary

Indiana University Bloomington Libraries’ Lilly Library seeks a collaborative, enthusiastic, and innovative librarian to serve as the inaugural Religious Collections Cataloging Librarian. Funded by a dedicated endowment, the cataloger will work closely with the Head, Cataloging & Description, and the Curator of Religious Collections to describe and make available Lilly Library materials relating to religion and spirituality in all formats.

The Lilly Library is Indiana University’s principal rare books, manuscripts, and special collections library. The library’s actively used and dynamically growing collections encompass manuscripts, printed books, and devotional objects spanning a wide chronological and geographical span. Core strengths include European medieval and Renaissance religious manuscripts, early printed Bibles in many languages, hymnological resources, and rare works produced in the Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch colonial worlds. The collections also feature significant materials from Asian and Islamic religious traditions. Active collecting areas include pilgrimage, religious materials created for and by children, and religious narratives related to disability. The majority of these collections are in English, Latin, Italian, French, German, and Spanish, with other languages represented in smaller numbers.

The successful candidate will work in a collaborative environment with colleagues within the Lilly Library and the IU Libraries system. This is a tenure-track position with requirements for ongoing professional development and service.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary cataloger for all Lilly Library materials relating to religion and spirituality in all formats.
• Organize and lead special projects relating to intellectual and physical control of Lilly Library materials relating to religion and spirituality.
• Collaborate with the Curator of Religious Collections on interpreting and increasing awareness of the Lilly Library’s collections relating to religion and spirituality.
• Participate in departmental conversations and contribute to internal policy development and documentation.
• Keep abreast of national developments in cataloging standards and best practices as they emerge and develop.
• Engage in service and professional development activities that enrich the librarian’s practice and contribute meaningfully to the profession.

Basic Qualifications

• ALA-accredited graduate degree in library or information science or international equivalent. Candidates with an advanced degree in a relevant subject area and relevant experience in a library setting will also be considered.
• A minimum of 2 years’ professional cataloging experience, including original and complex copy cataloging.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of the following metadata content standards and tools: MARC21; Resource Description and Access (RDA); Library of Congress classification and subject headings.
• Reading knowledge of one or more languages represented in the Lilly Library’s collections of religion and spirituality.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of cataloging standards, best practices, tools, and emerging trends within the field.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and knowledgeably in multiple modalities.
• Ability to meet the tenure or tenure-track position requirements at the IU Libraries (https://libraries.indiana.edu/promotion-tenure-librarians) as demonstrated by an ongoing record of professional development and service.

Department Contact for Questions

Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to [e-mail].

Additional Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience using one or more of the Descriptive Cataloging of Rare Materials (DCRM) manuals and/or Descriptive Cataloging of Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, and Early Modern Manuscripts (AMREMM) to create original catalog records.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) Name Authority Cooperative Program (NACO) and/or the PCC Subject Authority Cooperative Program (SACO).
• Experience with Anglo-American Cataloging Rules (2nd ed.).
• Demonstrated experience with medieval, renaissance, and/or early modern European manuscripts.
• Reading knowledge of Latin.
• Previous experience or academic work in the history of religion and/or religious studies, broadly defined.
• Supervisory and/or project management experience.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience communicating with and/or writing for a non-specialist audience.
• Demonstrated engagement in service and professional development activities on a local and/or national level.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

• Must be able to travel between work locations; free public transportation is available between the Lilly Library and the Auxiliary Library Facility (ALF).
• Ability to lift and move boxes (up to 25 pounds); handle large, unwieldy books; and push book trucks.
• Possibility of encountering mold or other allergens during routine work tasks.

Salary and Rank Salary and rank depend on the candidate's qualifications and experience. The starting salaries are as follows: Assistant Librarians, $62,500; Associate Librarians, $64,500; and Full Librarians, $82,500

Please note

• The expected start date is September 21, 2026, but it is negotiable.
• H-1B sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Initial online interviews will occur from late April through mid-May; on-campus interviews will take place between May 27 and July 2.

For more information about Indiana University Bloomington, go to https://www.indiana.edu/.

For information about working and living in Bloomington, Indiana: https://vpfaa.indiana.edu/resources/index.html.

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring.

See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here, which includes contact information.

“Before a conditional offer of employment with tenure is finalized, candidates will be asked to disclose any pending investigations or previous findings of sexual or professional misconduct. They will also be required to authorize an inquiry by Indiana University Bloomington with all current and former employers along these lines. The relevance of information disclosed or ascertained in the context of this process to a candidate’s eligibility for hire will be evaluated by Indiana University Bloomington on a case-by-case basis. Applicants should be aware, however, that Indiana University Bloomington takes the matters of sexual and professional misconduct very seriously.”

For Best Consideration Date 04/15/2026 Expected Start Date 09/21/2026 Posting Number IU-101521-2026