Cataloging/Metadata Librarian, Rhode Island School of Design, (Providence, RI)

Posted April 9, 2026

Job Description:

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.

Position Duties:

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.

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

Hours and Compensation:

This is a full-time position.

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.

How To Apply:

To learn more about this position and to apply, please visit the official job posting, linked here.

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.