Head of Cataloging

The Ohio State University Libraries aspires to be the model library advancing the educational, research, and engagement missions of a 21^st-century public, land grant, urban, community engaged university. We seek a Head of Cataloging who will find opportunities to lead and innovate in University Libraries and the profession through adapting workflow automation, exploring linked data and other emerging frameworks for bibliographic metadata, and shaping description to meet the needs of diverse user communities in a dynamic discovery environment. The Head of Cataloging provides vision and leadership to The Ohio State University Libraries to ensure high-quality bibliographic description is created in a timely and efficient fashion. They steward this data for effective use, anticipating future uses to support discovery and access of Libraries’ collections. They provide effective oversight of teams with responsibility for producing and maintaining description of materials in a wide range of formats, languages, and specializations. This position directly and indirectly supervises faculty and staff employees and reports to the Acquisitions and Discovery Strategist within the Content and Access division. The Head of Cataloging works with key partners, including Acquisitions, Electronic Resources Management Team, and Technology and Digital Programs, to continuously create or improve effective workflows and position Libraries for the future of description of library collections. They engage with subject librarians, special collections curators, and other stakeholders to establish priorities and understand needs for description. They collaborate with affiliated libraries, consortia, and organizations to advance Libraries and collective objectives. Libraries will be migrating to Ex Libris Alma in summer 2025 as part of the OhioLINK consortium. The Head of Cataloging seeks opportunities to learn and collaborate using leadership skills to define problems, provide solutions, and support colleagues in their own professional growth. They consistently demonstrate commitment to our values and promote an organizational culture of Discovery, Connection, Equity, Integrity, and Stewardship, modeling The Ohio State University’s shared values. All other duties as assigned.  

Responsibilities

• Leads Cataloging for library collections, including continuous improvement of practices through workflow development and automation, engagement with the discovery environment, and local policy development. Ensures timely and high-quality cataloging of materials in a wide range of formats, languages, and specializations.
• Oversees the integrity of the catalog and catalog data.
• Guides University Libraries in the evolving standards and practices for bibliographic description. Transitions from the present MARC-focused environment to one that facilitates the management and use of linked data.
• Shapes and implements ongoing changes to description standards and best practices, with particular attention to respectful and inclusive description.
• Builds ongoing training and education programs for faculty and staff.
• Engages as member of the leadership team of Acquisitions and Discovery with responsibility for optimizing description and discovery of library collections and to address common needs for description and identity management. Actively partners across University Libraries and affiliated organizations to understand needs and develop efficient and effective workflows for bibliographic records creation, use, and re-use. Engages with consortia, including OhioLINK and the Big Ten Academic Alliance, to leverage collective capacity and skills, to identify efficiencies in cataloging, and to advance shared success.
• Identifies and executes projects to improve discovery of collections. Partners with Technology and Digital Programs and other areas of University Libraries to leverage tools and techniques for efficient creation of description, including automation and data re-use.
• Participates proactively on library-wide committees, task forces and teams, and represents the University Libraries in consortia partnerships and committees.

• Fosters a supportive, collaborative work environment, and encourages partnerships across the Content and Access Division and with other divisions of the library.
• Exhibits a strong commitment to Ohio State’s shared values and promoting an organizational culture of excellence and impact, diversity and innovation, inclusion and equity, care and compassion, and integrity and respect.
• Manages faculty and staff, with direct and indirect reports.

 

Required Qualifications:

• An ALA-accredited master’s degree, a master’s degree with specialization in archives, a master’s degree in museum studies or a comparable graduate degree in one of the above fields from a non-U.S. university, reviewed on a case by case basis.
• Deep expertise and considerable experience with cataloging of library collections in a variety of formats and languages gained through at least five years of professional experience.  Strong knowledge of standards and best practices for cataloging, including Resources Description and Access, MARC and the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC).
• Experience in project planning, workflow development, and/or writing documentation.

• Ability to work effectively and creatively in a collaborative and complex environment. Capacity to develop solutions, lead a group through change, and build consensus and partnerships across Libraries and with other organizations.
• Experience leading others.

• Commitment to librarianship, scholarship, and service which are required criteria to meet University and University Libraries requirements for promotion and tenure.

 

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated success in leading change.
• Experience with system migration.

 

Discover Ohio State

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers and recently ranked No. 4 on Forbes’ list of best U.S. employers for diversity. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.   The Ohio State University’s Shared Values include Excellence and Impact, Diversity and Innovation, Inclusion and Equity, Care and Compassion, and Integrity and Respect. Our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression.   Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.   The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has established Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation (DCFR) to focus on supporting new and prospective faculty and their loved ones. Service offerings include dual careers partner consultations, identifying potential employers and/or employment opportunities, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community. While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are provided to support the partners of new and prospective faculty as they are considering or transitioning to The Ohio State University.   In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies.  Ohio State is an NSF ADVANCE institution and a member of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC).   Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and diverse metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. In addition to  its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to Ohio State ATI in Wooster.  

About The Ohio State University Libraries

The Libraries promotes innovative research and creative expression, advances effective teaching, curates and preserves information essential for scholarship and learning at Ohio State, and shares knowledge and culture with the people of Ohio, the nation, and the world. Libraries faculty and staff live these values in all that we do: Discovery, Connection, Equity, Integrity, and Stewardship.  Learn about our strategic directions here https://library.osu.edu/strategic-directions.   The Libraries’ greatest resource is our faculty and staff. Their expertise produces value beyond the collections and their commitment to continual improvement and innovation is one of the most significant ways the Libraries meets the diverse and evolving information needs of university students, faculty, and staff, alongside scholars throughout Ohio and the world.   As a global leader, the Libraries is actively engaged in local, statewide, national, and international initiatives to help shape the future of academic research libraries. These activities and the innovations that result enhance our ability to acquire, manage, and preserve emerging information resources, support knowledge creation, and enable its effective transmission to future learners. Information about the Libraries is available at https://library.osu.edu.   The Libraries strives to provide welcoming, supportive environments for all to pursue and share knowledge. The Libraries is guided by our strategic priorities that facilitate, celebrate and honor diversity, inclusion, access and social justice. All positions are expected to contribute to building and advancing this environment, and we encourage candidates to apply who share these values.  

Appointment

This is a full-time, regular, 12-month appointment as a tenure-track faculty member. The candidate will be required to meet university and Libraries requirements for promotion and tenure. Faculty rank at either Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor are dependent on qualifications and experience. Information about requirements for promotion and tenure is available at http://go.osu.edu/ulcriteria. The Ohio State University believes in diversity in people and ideas. What Ohio State does matters. And how we do it matters. When we are at our best, we make a real difference to people. We believe that the university should be a place where people can work and learn together in a safe environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, and intimidation. As such, finalists for any faculty position that carries tenure must sign an authorization and disclosure form, which will allow current or prior employer(s) to share information to the University regarding any findings of employment-related misconduct or disciplinary proceedings against a candidate and/or any pending investigations related to alleged misconduct. Such information shall include findings and pending investigations with respect to sexual harassment, violence, or harassment; research misconduct; financial fraud or misconduct; foreign influence violations, grant misuse or misconduct; and/or any other type of finding or pending investigation relating to a candidate’s employer’s policies and rules governing faculty conduct that may reasonably be expected to affect a candidate’s appointment. If the University becomes aware of any past finding of misconduct or pending investigations that were not disclosed, Ohio State will treat that as a serious omission and reserves the right to rescind an offer or terminate employment.  

Salary

$75,000 to $85,000 annual salary negotiable.

Application

Please submit cover letter, CV, references, and application by June 2, 2024 at https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Columbus-Campus/Head-of-Cataloging_R104536.     The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The Ohio State University is a member of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Diversity Alliance.   Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

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