Head of Resource Description

Department:  Resource Management, Emory Libraries

Salary:  Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Position Availiability:  Immediately

Position Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Director, Resource Management in the Access & 
Resource Services Division (ARS), the Head of Resource Description manages the 
Resource Description Team in the Emory Libraries. The Librarian has leadership, 
management, policy, planning and advocacy responsibilities for database 
management and authority control activities that support of the library’s and 
university’s educational and research mission. As a member of ARS division, the 
Librarian contributes to strategic and annual planning for unit initiatives; 
oversees services, policies, and programs for database management and 
authorities; and management of staff. The Librarian is a subject matter expert 
and serves as a liaison and resource to other units in the libraries, LITS, and 
campus on metadata and cataloging issues. This position collaborates with 
librarians and staff throughout Emory Libraries to establish and document 
relevant policies and procedures based on users’ needs in times of changing 
standards and access to ensure efficient workflows supporting discovery of the 
library’s print and digital content in ALMA.  The Librarian is responsible for 
collecting data to inform decision making and assessment.  The Librarian 
actively participate in collaborative programs and services within the library 
field at the local, state, regional, national and international level in 
advancement of library services, collections, and programs.

Essential Responsibilities & Duties

A.  Database Analysis and Solutions


Manage database record workflows for print and electronic monographs, series, 
standing orders, media, and special materials.


Manage authority control service contract, invoices, and payment with oversight 
of in-house work on error reports.  Monitor all authority control workflow and 
ensure that outsourced authority control specifications are being met by the 
vendor.


Plans, implements, and monitors multiple external contracts with vendors who 
provide cataloging data or bibliographic utilities services (incl. outsourcing 
of specialized materials and languages, shelf-ready processing by vendors, 
creation of specialized loaders as necessary). Monitors production by 
contractors so as to inform budget and procurement processes.


Manage tasks associated with vendor services, including in-house preparation, 
inventories, shipping, invoicing and budgeting.


Manage the batch processing, analysis, and editing of records for print and 
electronic resources.


Serve as the subject matter expert on managing database (Ex Libris’ Alma) 
quality issues and risks.  Direct bibliographic maintenance activities to 
ensure database quality and accuracy.


Support metadata development and contribute to content digitization workflow by 
providing expertise in descriptive and subject cataloging.


Seek out and provide leadership and learning opportunities for staff to adapt 
to evolving database record processes suitable to the deployment of innovative 
features offered by next-generation library systems.


Manage database quality management and develop policies and procedures to 
promote on-going review of records.


Manage cataloging, processing, and maintenance of government documents 
collection in paper, CD-ROM, microforms and electronic formats.


Develop database record policies and create useful documentation for Emory 
Libraries.


Manage metrics for output and productivity to reflect all services provided by 
this unit and contribute to library assessment activities.


B.  Original and Advanced Record Creation


Manage staff responsible for original and advanced record creation.


Support MARC metadata development and contribute to content digitization 
workflow by providing expertise in descriptive and subject cataloging.


C.  Leadership and Managerial Responsibilities


Manages the Resource Description Team, with programmatic responsibility for 
functional areas and direct supervision of 9 paraprofessional staff.


Provides strategic and innovative leadership of database services by proposing, 
implementing and monitoring contractual vendor services that expedite 
processing and offer rapid delivery of information resources accurately indexed 
and described in the Libraries' discovery systems.


Lead change in the transition from MARC 21 to the emerging linked data model 
for resource access and description by implementing and integrating metadata 
practices and developing staff expertise in areas that provide new modes of 
discovery and access to digitized content along with traditional content 
formats.


Develop and maintain expertise on the most recent developments in web-based 
technologies, such as Linked Open Data, social engagement techniques, and 
cloud-based metadata services. Lead crowdsourcing initiatives for resource 
description, as appropriate.


Works with direct reports to coordinate recruitment, hiring, orientation, 
training, supervision, and evaluation of staff and student employees. Coaches, 
mentors, and counsels both direct and indirect reports in order to develop 
staff in a positive and proactive manner ensuring individuals have opportunity 
to develop broad knowledge of library operations and services as well 
specialized skills. Works with LITS Human Resources staff to develop specific 
training for staff based on need and participates in succession planning and 
management initiatives as appropriate. 


Responsible for developing and maintaining up-to-date librarian position 
responsibilities statements and library staff job descriptions for staff within 
team.  Reviews requests for new positions and reclassifications and submits to 
Assistant Director, Resource Management for consideration.  Works with HR staff 
to facilitate reclassifications.


Conducts annual performance evaluations for direct reports and oversees annual 
process within the team/unit ensuring that annual evaluations are conducted in 
a timely manner and submitted on time in accordance with campus and library 
policy.


Establishes and maintains communication with team/unit staff to facilitate the 
work of the library and ensure library staff is informed of library activities 
and initiatives. 


D.  Professional Responsibilities


Participates in appropriate professional and scholarly associations and 
organizations including maintaining membership and/or accreditation; attending 
meetings, conferences, workshops; and serving in appointed or elected positions.


Maintains up-to-date professional knowledge and skills in areas related to 
primary job assignment as well as maintains general knowledge of current trends 
in higher education, academic libraries, and information and educational 
technology.


Provides reference assistance to Emory students and faculty, visiting scholars, 
and the public as needed and assigned.


Adheres to guidelines outlined in the Handbook Governing the Librarian series 
for Faculty-Equivalent Librarians to ensure appointment, appointment renewal 
and promotion-in-rank


Participates in library and campus committees as appropriate for service 
purposes.


Required Qualifications 


ALA-accredited master’s degree in Library and Information Science OR equivalent 
education and experience (subject expertise combined with appropriate teaching 
experience and/or library experience).


Ability to build and sustain effective interpersonal relationships with library 
staff, faculty and students, off campus faculty and administrators, campus 
administrators, etc.


Experience and demonstrated skill in supervision, including hiring, orienting, 
training and development, organizing workloads, delegating responsibility, 
providing guidance and direction, monitoring and evaluating performance, 
coaching and counseling, and taking disciplinary action as necessary.   Ability 
to be proactive, flexible, and collaborative as a supervisor in order to 
accomplish departmental, library, and institutional goals. 


Evidence of analytical, organizational, communication, project, and time 
management skills and demonstrated ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, 
and complete tasks and projects on time and within budget and in accordance 
with task/project parameters.


Professional understanding and knowledge of cataloging procedures and 
principles, including but not limited to: LC BIBFRAME, RDA, AACR2, LC/PCC PS, 
LCRIs, LC classification, LCSH, MARC21 bibliographic and authority formats.


Demonstrated proficiency and capabilities with personal computers and software, 
the Web, and library-relevant information technology applications.  Working 
knowledge of standard computer office applications such as Microsoft Outlook, 
Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint or other productivity software.


Commitment to fostering a diverse educational environment and workplace and an 
ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty and student population.


Capacity to thrive in an ambiguous, future-oriented environment of a major 
research institution and to respond effectively to changing needs and 
priorities.


Demonstrated knowledge of current trends and issues in academic libraries, 
higher education, and relevant subject disciplines.


Evidence of active participation, involvement, and leadership in local, state, 
regional, national, or international professional or scholarly associations.


Preferred Qualifications


Knowledge of metadata schema, tools, and applications providing descriptive 
elements to digital content repositories


Experience with Ex Libris ALMA and MARS Authority Control service


Experience in supervising and managing librarians and staff including coaching, 
motivating, and mentoring.


Experience providing and managing library services with evidence of 
progressively increasing scope of responsibility in a large academic or 
research institution library and evidence of successful record of leadership 
and ability to foster an organization-wide perspective that ensures effective 
stewardship of available resources.



Evidence of competence in strategic planning and in introducing and managing 
change in complex environments along with budget planning and administration, 
human resources management, and facilities and space planning and management in 
complex organizations.


Application Procedures


Interested candidates should review the applications requirements and apply 
online at https://faculty-emory.icims.com/jobs/36376/job, Requisition/Job 
Posting #36376


Applications may be submitted as Word or PDF attachments and must include:


1) Cover letter of application describing qualifications and experience;


2) Current resume/vita detailing education and relevant experience; and


3) On a separate document list the names, email addresses, and telephone 
numbers of 3 professional references including a current or previous 
supervisor.  


Candidates applying by May 27, 2019 will receive priority consideration.  
Review of applications will continue until position is successfully filled. 
Emory is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer that welcomes and 
encourages diversity and seeks applications and nominations from women, 
minorities, people with disabilities and veterans. 


General Information 


Professional librarians at Emory Libraries are 12-month faculty-equivalent 
positions evaluated annually with assigned ranks renewable for 3 or 5 years 
based on experience and background.  Appropriate professional leave and funding 
is provided.  Depending on educational credentials and position, librarians may 
be considered for a shared/dual appointment between the library and academic 
department as a faculty member.


Librarian appointees at Emory generally have educational credentials and 
professional backgrounds with academic library experience and/or disciplinary 
knowledge and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning, professional 
engagement and involvement, research and scholarship, creativity, innovation, 
and flexibility.   Such backgrounds will normally include a graduate degree 
from an ALA-accredited library and information science program AND/OR a 
discipline-specific master’s OR doctoral degree.  In addition to professional 
competence and service within the library in the primary job assignment, 
advancement and/or appointment renewal requires professional involvement and 
contributions outside of the library and scholarly activities.  Candidates must 
show evidence or promise of such contributions.  


Emory provides an extremely competitive fringe benefit plan that includes 
personal leave, holiday pay, medical and dental plans, life insurance, courtesy 
scholarships, and tuition reimbursement just to name a few.  For a full list of 
benefit programs, please go to http://www.hr.emory.edu/eu/benefits/.


Description of Institution and Library


Emory University is internationally recognized for its outstanding liberal arts 
college, superb professional schools, and one of the South’s leading health 
care systems.  Emory’s beautiful, leafy main campus is located in Atlanta’s 
historic Druid Hills suburb and is home to 7,916 undergraduates and 7,326 
graduate and professional students.  As the second largest private employer in 
Atlanta, Emory University and Emory Healthcare have a combined workforce of 
approximately, 33,026 and an annual operating budget of $5.6 billion.  Emory 
University received $734 million in research funding in fiscal year 2018.


Ranked among the top 20 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) in North 
America, Emory University Libraries in Atlanta and Oxford, Georgia are an 
intellectual commons for Emory University.  Comprised of 10 libraries, Emory’s 
collections include more than 4.8 million volumes, 300,000 plus electronic 
journals, 1.2 million electronic books, and internationally renowned special 
collections.  The Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Books Library 
is home to more than 80,000 rare books and over 17,000 linear feet of 
manuscript material.  Rose Library’s collections span more than 800 years of 
history, with particular depth in modern literature, African-American history 
and culture, and the history of Georgia and the South. 


Emory Libraries staff, including student workers, number approximately 390 with 
an overall library budget of approximately $48 million. Emory University 
Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the 
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), the Atlanta Regional 
Council for Higher Education (ARCHE), the Coalition for Networked Information 
(CNI), the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), the Council on Library and 
Information Resources (CLIR), the Digital Library Federation (DLF), 
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), and 
the Scholarly Publishing & Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) as well as 
regional associations including the Association of Southeastern Research 
Libraries (ASERL) and Georgia Library Learning Online (GALILEO).


The Emory University Libraries include the Robert W. Woodruff Library, which is 
also home to the Goizueta Business Library, the Heilbrun Music and Media 
Library, and the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library.  
Other campus libraries, include the Science Commons, the Library Service Center 
operated in collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology, the 
Woodruff Health Sciences Library, the Pitts Theology Library, the Hugh F. 
MacMillan Law Library, and the Oxford College Library located on the Oxford 
Campus approximately 30 miles from Atlanta.


– February 2019


Emory University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action 
employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all 
applicable Federal and Georgia State Laws, regulations, and executive orders 
regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action in its programs and 
activities.  Emory University does not discriminate on the basis of race, 
color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, genetic information, age, 
disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and 
veteran’s status.


 




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