Sound Archives Metadata Librarian

Stanford Libraries is seeking a full-time Sound Archives Metadata Librarian to join the Archive of Recorded Sound. The Libraries values are rooted in a commitment of mutual respect, the idea that every member of the staff has something to contribute, and that learning is constant.  We seek a team member who is ready to share their skills and perspectives.

About Stanford Libraries:

Stanford Libraries is a network of over 15 libraries with over 400 employees. We are committed to fueling the teaching, learning and research across Stanford by acquiring, stewarding, and making available a robust collection, currently in excess of 12 million items. Everyone in the organization plays a vital role in fulfilling that objective. Our dedication to discoverability and information management also has us engaged in dynamic global partnerships. We are constantly building and strengthening our organization, and we recognize striving for excellence is a marathon and not a sprint. We are constantly trying to strike the right pace, and admit there are times when we find ourselves at a fast jog. While we hope to always find candidates who fit within our organization, what we truly seek is someone who will add to our culture, our profession as well as the greater academic arena. We are invested in the success of our teams and the individuals who represent Stanford Libraries.

About the Position:

The Sound Archives Metadata Librarian catalogs and provides discovery metadata for physical and digital materials held primarily in collections at the Archive of Recorded Sound (ARS). Working with the Head of Music Metadata Services, this forward-thinking and project-oriented librarian will be responsible for executing inventive solutions to the large-scale metadata needs of the ARS with the goal of enabling and improving discovery of its unique collections.

The ideal candidate will have a background in MARC metadata but will also be capable of working across multiple platforms and environments, with an understanding of each one's functionality and metadata requirements. Harnessing available tools and technology, the Sound Archives Metadata Librarian will seek to maximize process efficiencies while also maintaining the high standards of Stanford Libraries’ metadata. This librarian will also provide metadata for materials and projects from other Stanford Libraries units when their expertise is needed.

Established in 1958, the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound was one of the first major collections in the United States devoted to the acquisition, preservation, and dissemination of culturally significant sound recordings. ARS holdings include more than 400,000 commercial and non-commercial disc recordings, 20,000 piano rolls, and 200 manuscript collections. Formats span the history of recorded sound, including cylinders, magnetic wire recordings, magnetic audio and video tapes, compact discs, and laser discs, with major holdings in 78 rpm, vinyl, and acetate and transcription discs. The ARS supports teaching and research in the Department of Music, across the university, and in the global research community.

This is a full-time, hybrid position. As a member of the metadata team in a branch library, the Sound Archives Metadata Librarian will join a supportive, collaborative, and dynamic group of co-workers. This position reports on-site 4 days per week during regular business hours, in accordance with the scheduling needs of the Archive of Recorded Sound and Music Library.

Core Duties*:

• Serve as principal cataloger for Archive of Recorded Sound materials (MARC cataloging and Stanford Digital Repository metadata)
• Perform original and complex-copy MARC cataloging for sound recordings (in all formats) and related materials in accordance with accepted local practice and applicable national standards, including RDA, BIBCO, NACO, LC-PCC PS, MLA Best Practices, MARC format, and OCLC BFAS. Use batch searching, editing, and loading methods whenever appropriate.
• Create and remediate discovery metadata for digital collections and objects in the Stanford Digital Repository (SDR) in compliance with technical requirements and the local Cocina data model (primarily MODS-based schema).
• Perform regular metadata maintenance in local systems (FOLIO and SDR) and resolve metadata issues and problems. Triage and troubleshoot ARS descriptive metadata issues reported by Stanford Libraries staff.
• Coordinate entity management and authority control for names, subjects, etc., across the various databases that contain descriptive metadata for ARS collections (FOLIO, SDR, ArchivesSpace, etc.)
• Analyze and document cataloging and metadata workflow, policies, and procedures and coordinate them with Music Metadata Services. Collaborate with team members to evaluate and improve existing processes and workflows for increased efficiency and accuracy.
• Coordinate projects for ARS collections, including digitization projects. Assess metadata requirements for new physical and digital collections, including creating project estimates for metadata work. Oversee metadata creation as part of digitization and related workflows, including understanding all aspects of the digitization project's lifecycle, such as selection of materials, tracking, conservation, digitization and accessioning, and metadata creation.
• Contribute metadata, process, workflow and project expertise in Stanford Libraries initiatives. Participate in library-wide projects to make ARS materials available through a variety of outlets including the library catalog, finding aids, exhibit sites, and other web portals.
• Keep current on local, national, and international cataloging and metadata trends, standards, and practices.
• Participate in relevant professional activities both within and outside Stanford.
• Assist other staff to cover access services functions in the ARS and Music Library, when needed.
• Supervise student assistants and other staff in the Archive of Recorded Sound.

* - Other duties may also be assigned

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

•      Advanced degree in Library Science or a relevant academic discipline with demonstrated understanding of academic libraries, or the equivalent in education and relevant experience.

•      Bachelor’s degree in music or relevant advanced study in music, with demonstrated subject knowledge of music history and theory in Western classical music, jazz, and/or popular music.

 Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of relevant aspects of library operations including understanding of contemporary library practices, trends and emerging technologies.
• Evidence of strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a wide variety of people.
• Effective problem solving, analytical and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated broad knowledge of library discovery environments, office automation software, and online resources.
• Ability to quickly learn and use print and online tools and resources and in area of specialization.
• Evidence of strong verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of music audio recording cataloging using RDA, LC authorities and vocabularies, and MARC formats.
• Ability to read at least one language in addition to English.
• Knowledge of reference materials and research tools in music and audio recordings.
• Ability to manage student assistants.
• Ability to work independently, as a team member, and across departmental boundaries in a fast-paced environment.

Other Relevant Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities May Include:

• Knowledge of music cataloging for other resource types (e.g., score, book, video).
• Knowledge of and experience with non-MARC descriptive metadata standards (e.g., MODS, BIBFRAME, EAD).
• Ability to interpret metadata serialization formats (e.g., JSON, TTL, N3, EAD-XML).
• Experience using batch processes for bibliographic searching, editing, and loading.
• Knowledge of tools to assist metadata creation and remediation outside the ILS or Connexion environments (e.g., MARCedit, OpenRefine)
• Experience writing queries in SQL and SPARQL.
• Knowledge of audio archives principles and practices, including preservation and conservation practices.

To be considered at the Librarian 2 level:

• Two or more years of experience in a relevant library setting, or a combination of education and experience.
• Significant experience in creating original metadata for music audio recordings in accordance with applicable national standards.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate high-volume library projects, including developing and implementing workflows.
• Demonstrated understanding of the broad scope of library operations, including how the metadata librarian role interacts with the rest of the organization.
• Involvement in relevant professional activities on the local and national level, including committee work, conference attendance, and presentations.

Physical Requirements:

•      Constantly sit, perform desk-based computer tasks.

•      Frequently twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasps lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.

•      Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, writing by hand, kneel/crawl, climb (ladders, scaffolds, or other).

•      Rarely use a telephone, operate hand controls.

•      Must be able to push and maneuver a fully-loaded cart weighing up to 650 pounds that requires an initial push force up to 50 pounds.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

 Working Conditions:

·         May work in confined spaces and at heights 4-10 feet; be exposed to dust and mold; work extended hours, evenings and weekends.

Work Standards:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu .

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Stanford welcomes applications from all who would bring additional dimensions to the University’s research, teaching and clinical missions.  We believe Stanford’s future success will be shaped by the diverse perspectives, unique experiences, and inclusive culture of its community.

The expected pay range for Librarian 1 is $73,000 - $92,000 per annum, and for Librarian 2 is $85,000 - $106,000 per annum.  Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Why Stanford is for You:

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

●      Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, and course auditing. Join a TedTalk, watch a film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.

●      A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.

●      A healthier you. Choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We provide excellent health care benefits.

●      Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.

●      Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more.