Senior Manager, Database Maintenance, BookOps

The New York Public Library; New York (NY); On-site; USD 108,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York Public Library seeks a Senior Manager, Database Maintenance to oversee quality control of bibliographic records across NYPL and Brooklyn Public Library integrated systems. You will manage a team of catalogers, enforce MARC21/RDA standards, and collaborate with multiple departments to ensure metadata integrity.

Responsibilities include refining workflows, generating cataloging reports, and guiding training programs, with a focus on metadata quality and cross-institution consistency

Qualifications

• MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited program
• New York State Public Librarian certificate or eligibility
• 7+ years in cataloging metadata creation in a library
• 3+ years of supervisory experience
• 2+ years in bibliographic/authority control in an ILS

Responsibilities

• Supervise a team of catalogers loading vendor records
• Implement QA procedures for metadata integrity per MARC21/RDA standards
• Collaborate with management to design cataloging processes
• Collect cataloging statistics and produce reports
• Maintain and update cataloging workflows and documentation
• Manage ticketing issues in ServiceNow
• Attend meetings and provide coverage as needed
• Participate in recruitment and staffing decisions

Skills

MARC21

RDA guidelines

Authority records PCC/NACO

Dewey/LC headings

SQL/regex

Project planning

Communication

Metadata trends

Non-English reading/writing

Google Workspace

Education

MLS/MLIS

New York State public librarian certificate

Tools

OCLC Connexion client

OCLC Record Manager

MarcEdit

Job description

Compensation: $108,000 - $115,000 / year

Application Deadline: 30 September 2026

Department: BookOps

Location: Library Services Center

Compensation: $108,000 - $115,000 / year

Description

Overview

BookOps is the shared library services collaboration of New York Public Library (NYPL) and Brooklyn Public Library (BPL). BookOps coordinates the selection, acquisition, cataloging, processing, and distribution of library materials for its member libraries.

The Senior Manager, Database Maintenance is responsible for quality control of bibliographic records in Brooklyn Public and New York Public Integrated Library Systems (ILS). The Senior Manager oversees a team that loads vendor records, performs catalog clean-ups, and ensures healthy bibliographic and authority control across both library systems.

Some expectations for this role are that within:

1 month

• Become familiar with the range of cataloging systems, tools, and workflows utilized in the Cataloging Department
• Perform daily authority and bibliographic records quality routines
• Get introduced to BookOps team and stakeholders in other departments, including participation in relevant committees and groups across NYPL and BPL

3 months

• Learn in-depth about circulating and research collections classification and local cataloging policies
• Evaluate existing cataloging quality control workflows and propose improvements in areas needed attention
• Contribute to local cataloging policies documentation
• Establish close relationships with the Selection, Acquisition and Processing Departments to effectively troubleshoot issues stemming from work in those units

6 months and beyond

• Formulate strategic approaches and structured schedules to resolve metadata quality issues, manage vendor record ingestion, and synchronize BPL and NYPL holdings within the WorldCat database
• Manage and mitigate complex metadata discrepancies and requests routed through the ServiceNow ticketing platform
• Help design and implement comprehensive cataloging training programs grounded in recurring error analysis

Responsibilities

• Supervises and assigns work to a team of catalogers responsible for loading vendor records
• Directs the implementation of quality assurance procedures to maintain metadata integrity in alignment with MARC21, RDA, DDC, LCSH, and local standards
• Collaborates with department management to design, manage, and assess cataloging processes
• Oversees collection of departmental cataloging statistics and produces analysis and reports on cataloging activities
• Documents and keeps up-to-date database maintenance workflows
• Manages work assignment and resolution of reported issues on the ticketing platform (ServiceNow)
• Attends meetings within the library organization as needed, and interacts with vendors as appropriate Approves schedules and hours of direct reports; provides coverage as needed in the absence of other department managers
• Performs other related duties as required

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

• ALA accredited Master’s degree (MLS, MLIS) in Library and Information Studies
• Public Librarian’s professional certificate issued by the State of New York (can be obtained at time of employment)

Required Experience

• 7+ years of experience creating original cataloging metadata/bibliographic records in a library environment
• 3+ years of supervisory experience
• 2+ years of experience performing bibliographic and authority control in an ILS
• Experience with the ILS, OCLC Connexion client, OCLC Record Manager, and MarcEdit

Required Skills

• Proficiency in MARC21 standard for bibliographic and authority data
• Proficiency in RDA guidelines for records in print and non-print formats
• Understanding of authority records; demonstrated experience with PCC and NACO programs
• Proficiency in Dewey Decimal Classification and Library of Congress Subject Headings
• Proficiency in SQL and regular expressions
• Strong organizational and planning skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in working tactfully with other library staff in a team setting
• Critical judgment skills in cataloging responsibilities
• Knowledge and awareness of emerging trends in cataloging and metadata
• Proficient in reading and writing in one or more non-English languages
• Demonstrated attention to details
• Familiarity with Google Workspace

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directs and supervises a small team of librarians and paraprofessionals
• Acts as a substitute for department management colleagues as circumstances require
• Participates in the recruitment, interviewing and selection process of candidates in vacant positions in the Cataloging Department

Core Values

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Resourceful in solving problems
• Be Curious in all aspects of your work
• Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

• Office setting

Physical Duties

• Requires occasional travel within NYC

Pre-Placement Physical Required? No

Union/Non Union

Non-Union

FLSA Status

Exempt

Schedule

• 9am-5pm - Monday through Friday
• 35 hours per week

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.

The New York Public Library

Salary Statement

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies. Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).