"International Studies Metadata Librarian"

We are seeking a resourceful, forward thinking, and creative problem-solver to serve as the International Studies Metadata Librarian. This role provides descriptive access, metadata remediation, and quality control for multidisciplinary general, distinctive, and special collections in any of the South Asian or Southeast Asian languages acquired by the library, including but not limited to: Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit, Bengali, Panjabi, Thai, Indonesian, Malay, or Tagalog. This role actively contributes to local and national efforts to improve description and access for non-English and non-Latin script resources and those materials by and about underrepresented groups. You will also support library-wide capacity by assisting with preparations to move to a repository, providing local and national corrective maintenance of new and legacy catalog data, reducing and eliminating backlogs and under or undescribed collections, helping to establish metadata and cataloging best practices and procedures, providing technical services training, and participating in cooperative metadata and cataloging programs.

You will report to the Head of International Studies Technical Services, under the leadership of the Director of International Studies. This role works closely with colleagues specializing in South Asia Studies or Southeast Asian Studies and other International Studies team members.

We invite applications from recent MLS/MLIS graduates, as well as from people coming from a variety of career paths, either from within or outside of an academic setting. The library will provide training and support to improve the candidate's cataloging skills in order to meet the expectations of this position.

Required Qualifications

• ALA-accredited master's degree in Library or Information Studies; or an equivalent combination of at least 3 years of cataloging experience (for a library, museum, or similar cultural institution) and a bachelor's degree or higher in Library or Information Studies, or a South Asian or Southeast Asian field.
• Excellent reading knowledge of at least one of the following languages of South Asia or Southeast Asia: Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit, Bengali, Panjabi, Thai, Indonesian, Malay, or Tagalog. Your knowledge should enable you to produce complex copy or original cataloging.
• Academic study of, or background in South Asian Studies or Southeast Asian Studies.
• Knowledge of cataloging standards and systems, such as MARC21 format, RDA, Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2nd ed. (AACR2), LCSH, LC classification system, ALA-LC Romanization Tables, NACO, and BIBCO.
• Organizational, analytical and problem solving skills and the ability to plan and execute multiple tasks and projects independently or in collaboration with a variety of colleagues, and within set deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written English-language skills.
• Ability to effectively contribute to a diverse and inclusive workplace environment.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Reading knowledge of one or more additional South or Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, African, or Central Asian languages.
• Experience performing complex copy and original cataloging of various formats.
• Experience working in OCLC Connexion and/or Alma, or a similar system.
• Familiarity with emerging/evolving trends and issues in cataloging and metadata (e.g., BIBFRAME, linked data), especially as they relate to description and discovery of materials in non Latin scripts.
• Experience with managing projects, and/or training, and/or writing documentation.

A cover letter and resume or CV are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skills. Submit both the cover letter and resume/CV as one file (because of system limitations).

The anticipated hire date is in June 2026.

This appointment is subject to the UM/LEO-GLAM collective bargaining agreement. Appointment is anticipated as an assistant librarian, associate librarian, or senior associate librarian. The target salary ranges for this position are $61,000-$68,000 for the Assistant rank; $68,000-$79,000 for the Associate rank; and $79,000-$89,000 for the Senior Associate rank. Salary and rank are dependent on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, generous time off (24 vacation days per year, and 15 sick leave days per year), matched retirement contributions with immediate vesting, professional development opportunities, and more.