Cataloging/Metadata Librarian - Rhode Island School of Design, Fleet Library

Location: Providence, RI
Salary: $73,000 base salary
Employment Term: Full-time, two year term (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2028)
Employer Contact: Aliza Leventhal, aleventh@risd.edu

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

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library science, information science, or a related field.
• Minimum two years of post-credentialed professional cataloging and metadata
  experience.
• 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
• Demonstrated commitment to serving the needs and interests of a diverse, creative
  population of students, faculty, and staff
  Preferred Qualifications
• Familiarity with serials and e-resource management.
• Familiarity with cross-walking, normalizing, and transforming metadata.
• Familiarity and experience with rare book and special collections cataloging.
• 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.

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.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Please attach the following 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.

Apply Here