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Cataloging/Metadata Librarian
Fleet Library at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), invites applications for a full-time professional librarian 2-year term appointment, to commence in summer 2026.
RISD recognizes principles of social equity, inclusion, and diversity as fundamental to its mission as an art and design school. These principles require sustained attention to a multiplicity of differences and call for an expansion of the forms of knowledge that shape our curricula and pedagogy. RISD is committed to the collective work of institutional transformation and values applicants whose teaching, pedagogical and professional experiences have prepared them to foster and sustain equitable learning environments. We especially welcome faculty whose pedagogy engages diverse perspectives, expands forms of knowledge, and helps foster a culture of belonging where all students, staff, and faculty can thrive.
As a skilled practitioner of bibliographic description and metadata management, this role is responsible for creating original and complex catalog records for library materials in all formats. This position will serve a critical role in implementing bibliographic metadata practices and policies, collaborating closely with colleagues to evaluate and document policies, procedures and workflows for traditional cataloging, and bibliographic database maintenance. This position plays a critical role in metadata clean-up efforts in anticipation for the migration to and implementation of a new Integrated Library System. This position requires a deep knowledge of bibliographic data and cataloging best practices as well as a thorough understanding of how the catalog impacts resource discoverability.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Create metadata for a diverse range of materials, including original cataloging for Artists’ Books and other Special Collections materials, and oversee quality control for previously cataloged content
- Resolve complex metadata and bibliographic record problems
- Design, oversee, and participate in bibliographic database cleanup, metadata mapping, and other enrichment projects
- Contribute to the transition to a new Integrated Library System (ILS), including collaborative leadership in testing and configuring cataloging environments and workflows, ensuring excellent training is provided to library staff as needed, and managing related projects
- Maintain knowledge of current resource description standards and tools
- Contribute to the work of the library through participation in committees, task forces, and other collaborative projects
- Carry out other duties and responsibilities, as assigned
- Minimum two years of post-credentialed professional cataloging and metadata experience.
- Demonstrated commitment to serving the needs and interests of a diverse, creative population of students, faculty, and staff
Broad knowledge of cataloging and metadata workflows and services.
Knowledge of best practices in collections care, handling, and security protocols in Archives and Special Collections settings.
Knowledge of cataloging and classification practices, standards, and schema such as MARC, RDA, AACR2, LCSH, OCLC, LCC, DACS, Dublin Core, and MODS; and Program for Cooperative Cataloging (CONSER, NACO, SACO) standards.
Experience using tools such as MarcEdit, OpenRefine, and/or scripting languages such as Python for data transformation.
Ability to work collaboratively and independently as a member of a small team; excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Familiarity with cross-walking, normalizing, and transforming metadata.
- Understanding of the research needs of college students and art and design researchers; knowledge of the impact of digital technologies in libraries and higher education.
Familiarity and experience with rare book and special collections cataloging.
RISD is a nonprofit college and museum of art and design founded in 1877 in the city of Providence, RI. Today 2,606 students from 62 countries engage in more than 40 full-time bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, supported by a committed faculty and worldwide network of more than 33,000 alumni.
By cultivating expansive and elastic thinking, RISD equips artists, designers and scholars to generate and challenge the ideas that shape our world.
RISD has a critical review process, which is very similar to the tenure process at other institutions. RISD supports faculty and librarian professional practice with sabbaticals, pre-critical review leave, conference funds, and professional development grants. For more information about RISD, please visit www.risd.edu.
Fleet Library at RISD is a place for inquiry and inspiration, occupying the first and second floors of 15 Westminster Street. With over 178,000 books and periodicals, institutional archives, special collections, artists’ books, material samples and picture collection, there is much to explore on site. Fleet Library also provides the RISD community with access to a wide range of digital resources, along with professional expertise to help navigate both online and physical resources for classroom instruction, individual research activity and creative practice.
Faculty Responsibilities Union Yes Salary Information
For information about base pay for this position, please refer to Article XII “Salaries” (p. 19-22) in the Faculty Association Collective Bargaining Contract 2025-2028. The contract indicates the minimum base salary for each rank.
Pre-employment Requirement
The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.
Special Instructions to ApplicantsPlease attach the following to to the appropriate links in the section labeled “Documents Needed to Apply”:
1.) Letter of intent that addresses the qualifications and responsibilities listed above
2.) Curriculum vitae
Applications may not be edited once they are certified and submitted.
Only materials that have been requested will be considered.
Names and contact information for two references are requested as part of the application process at the finalist stage.
Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Candidates who submit their materials by May 8, 2026 are assured full consideration.
EEO Statement
RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
F00129P
Open Date
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
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