Description, Intelligence, and Impact Librarian

The University of Virginia Library seeks a knowledgeable, collaborative, and forward-thinking Description, Intelligence, and Impact Librarian to advance the Library’s electronic resource descriptive practices, metadata load strategy, and resource impact analysis across electronic collections, including both new and continuing resources.

This is a professional Librarian position, reporting to the Continuing & Electronic Resources Manager in Resource Acquisition & Description (RAD). The incumbent must apply independent judgment and expertise to electronic resources, MARC records, troubleshooting, and assessment within a complex academic library environment. The position plays a key role in shaping how the department supports discovery, access, equity, and responsible use of library collections to support evolving scholarly, teaching, and research needs.

The University of Virginia Library is committed to a culture of mutual respect, civility, cooperation, mindfulness, accountability, and acceptance of individual differences. Departments and individuals are expected to work together, both in professional collaborations and in creating a culture where all can thrive.

Responsibilities

Description Strategy and Intelligence

• Develops, analyzes, and assesses descriptive and metadata practices across formats and collections.

• Evaluates and interprets descriptive data at scale to identify trends, gaps, inconsistencies, and opportunities for improvement.

• Monitors national and international developments in descriptive standards, frameworks, and best practices, recommending local adoption or adaptation.

Impact Assessment and Analysis 

• Designs and implements methods to assess the impact of descriptive practices on discovery, access, use, and user experience.

• Defines metrics and qualitative measures demonstrating the value and effectiveness of collections.

• Analyzes patterns in user access issues and troubleshooting data to inform improvements in metadata quality, systems configuration, and resource performance.

• Communicates findings through reports, dashboards, documentation, and presentations to inform decision-making and strategic planning.

• Contributes evidence-based recommendations for improving workflows, systems, and policies.

Electronic Resource Troubleshooting and Problem Resolution  

• Investigates and resolves complex electronic resource access issues, including problems related to metadata, linking, holdings, licensing settings, or system integrations.

• Collaborates with colleagues in electronic resources, systems, vendors, and discovery services to diagnose and address issues affecting user access and discovery.

• Analyzes recurring electronic resource access related problems to identify underlying causes and recommend sustainable, systemic solutions.

• Documents troubleshooting processes, resolutions, and best practices to support shared understanding and continuous improvement.

Collaboration and Consultation  

• Partners with colleagues in collection development, discovery systems, and public services.

• Serves as a resource and consultant on metadata analysis, descriptive data quality, assessment methodologies, and complex access issues.

• Participates in project teams supporting digital initiatives, system implementations, and cross functional library priorities.

Professional Engagement  

• Contributes to the Library’s mission through service activities, documentation, and knowledge sharing.

• Engages in professional development and scholarship, including participation in regional, national, or international professional communities.

• Stays informed about emerging technologies and approaches related to metadata, analytics, assessment, and electronic resource management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in Library Science from ALA Accredited program or relevant graduate degree. Experience equivalency substitution (per Department of Labor Equivalency Guidelines): Bachelor’s + 4 Years relevant experience considered in lieu of degree.

• Experience: 0-4 years experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with assessment methodologies, analytics tools (such as Counter Metrics), and data visualization techniques and analyzing data at scale to inform decisions, assess practices, or demonstrate impact.

• Interest in exploring and implementing new AI tools to apply to the practice of e-resource analysis and evaluation.

• Demonstrated experience resolving or contributing to the resolution of complex electronic resource access issues.

• Demonstrated experience with WorldShare Record Manager (or equivalent), MarcEdit, ILS record manager with vendor supplied metadata. Experience managing and auditing library records for data integrity.

• Experience using integrated library systems, electronic resource management systems, and data analysis software.

• Experience working collaboratively across departments while managing responsibilities independently in a complex organization.

The UVA Library is interested in reviewing candidates with a broad range of experiences, education, and qualifications. We are dedicated to building a dynamic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every preferred qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.  

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Anticipated hiring range: $65,000 – $70,000, commensurate with education and experience.

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