The Bowdoin College Library seeks an engaged, versatile and experienced 
cataloger for the position of Cataloging and Metadata Librarian. As one of two 
full-time catalogers in an active and highly collaborative technical services 
department, the Cataloging and Metadata Librarian works with a broad range of 
formats and materials, including audiovisual materials, serials, rare books, 
scores, and maps. The ideal candidate will be attentive to details and 
standards while taking an expansive view of how inclusive cataloging and 
metadata can support the academic library setting as well as further the 
research and teaching goals of the college.

As the intellectual heart of the Bowdoin campus, and serving as a major 
research library in the state of Maine, the College Library is highly valued 
for its rich and extensive collections, outstanding staff, and vibrant spaces, 
including Hawthorne-Longfellow Library—the main library building—and three 
specialized branch libraries for music, art, and science.  Bowdoin College 
Library develops its collections cooperatively and strategically with the 
libraries of Colby and Bates colleges, with which it shares a combined catalog 
(CBBcat), providing significant opportunities for collaboration among the three 
schools on cataloging standards, best practices, and other initiatives.

The Bowdoin Library strives to be forward-thinking, diverse, and welcoming.  In 
line with its goals to address the ways in which structural racism has 
permeated long-standing library practices, it is committed to developing, 
describing, and stewarding diverse and inclusive collections that represent the 
voices and experiences of BIPOC and other marginalized communities.

Reporting to the Head of Cataloging, the Cataloging and Metadata Librarian 
supports timely and efficient access to library materials in all formats and 
languages by creating and enhancing catalog records according to national and 
international standards in WorldCat and the local library system (Sierra). 
While most items are processed prior to arrival through the library’s vendors 
(GOBI, WorldShare, etc.), many require original or enhanced cataloging to be 
fully accessible.  The position works with a broad and interesting range of 
materials and coordinates the workflow of physical items through the cataloging 
process.  The position also performs a variety of complex database maintenance 
work in concert with colleagues at Colby and Bates to ensure the integrity and 
fullness of cataloging data. The incumbent serves as an expert in non-MARC 
metadata and evolving cataloging standards and best practices, including 
emerging trends associated with critical cataloging.

 

Education/Skills:

Required: A Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library program or an 
advanced degree in a related discipline.  Strong communication and 
interpersonal skills, with a service-oriented disposition and ability to work 
well independently and collaboratively; ability to pay close attention to 
detail; excellent problem-solving skills. Understanding of linked data 
principles (e.g., BIBFRAME, RDF). Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity 
and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.

Preferred: Reading knowledge of a foreign language. Knowledge of non-MARC 
metadata schemes and structures relevant to the ingest and management of 
digital objects within a repository environment (e.g., Digital Commons, 
Islandora). Knowledge of programming/scripting languages and/or tools for data 
manipulation (e.g., MarcEdit, OpenRefine).  Familiarity with Descriptive 
Cataloging of Rare Materials (DCRM) standards.

 

Experience Requirements/Equivalents

Required: Two or more years of cataloging experience using MARC and RDA, 
including experience in original cataloging of non-print formats. Experience 
classing materials according to LC classification scheme. Demonstrated 
knowledge of metadata standards and schema (e.g., MARC, Dublin Core), content 
standards (e.g., RDA, DACS), controlled vocabularies and classification (e.g., 
LC authorities, subject thesauri, LC classification).

Preferred: Experience cataloging rare books according to DCRM(B) standards. 
Experience planning and implementing metadata schema for digital collections.

 

About Bowdoin College

Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented 
students, faculty and staff with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and 
socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among 
other factors.

We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an 
inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the 
College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of 
all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.

Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for 
well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college 
rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; 
strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural 
beauty of Maine.

Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in 
Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive 
from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.

 

Applications

Further details and instructions to apply can be found on our online 
application:  https://careers.bowdoin.edu/postings/7002.  First consideration 
will be given to applications that are received by March 1, 2021.

 

Interviews for this position will be held virtually.

 

For questions, please contact [email protected]

 

Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws 
that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to 
its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on 
race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual 
orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of 
birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals 
with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other 
legally protected statuses.

 


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