Special Collections Cataloger

The Cataloging & Metadata Department of the University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press  seeks a dynamic early career librarian to perform original and complex copy cataloging and authority work for special collections materials across multiple formats and languages. The Special Collections Cataloging Unit is a 4-member team that provides description and access to Special Collections materials including early printed books, ephemera, graphic materials, maps, sheet music, and three-dimensional objects.

Reporting to the Coordinator, Special Collections Cataloging Unit of the Cataloging Department, major responsibilities include:

• Perform original and complex copy cataloging for MARC records for early printed books in a variety of languages following DCRM standards.

• Provide original RDA cataloging for 19th–21st century items in a variety of formats and languages.

• Provide RDA complex copy cataloging for 19th-21st century items in a variety of formats and languages.

• Contribute to development of local procedures.

• Create and enhance NACO records.

• Participate in special cataloging projects as needed.

• Actively engage in professional development and other scholarly activities.

Qualifications: 

• Master's degree in library science.

• Familiarity with the cataloging of rare books and special collections materials. 

• An understanding of the unique role of primary source materials in today’s research environment and their use by faculty, scholars, and students. 

• Familiarity with the MARC format, Library of Congress classification and subject headings, and RDA.  

• Working knowledge of book and printing history, bibliography, and best practices related to rare books and special collections materials. Familiarity with DCRM, related rare book resources and tools, and trends in rare book cataloging. 

• Written knowledge of at least one language other than English.

• Ability to perform complex analytical work and problem solve; flexibility; judgment; attention to detail. 

• Strong interpersonal skills. 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 

• Ability to work productively and cooperatively in a complex environment while maintaining effective working relationships. 

• Commitment to inclusive cataloging practices and fostering a diverse and anti-racist educational environment and workplace and an ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty, staff, and student population.

• Cataloging experience in an academic library. Experience cataloging with at least one of the DCRM modules, preferred.

• Familiarity with authority work, preferred.

• Knowledge of or experience with non-MARC formats and non-AACR2/RDA metadata standards, preferred. 

General Information: 

The Special Collections Cataloging Unit is part of the Cataloging and Metadata Department, a 12-member team that provides cataloging and metadata support for the Library, Museums and Press in all formats, including monographs, serials, databases, videos and multimedia. The department consists of four areas: original cataloging, special collections cataloging, copy cataloging, and metadata management and participates in OCLC Member Merge Project and is a member/participant in NACO. 

The holdings of Special Collections at the University of Delaware Library include books, literary and historical manuscripts, maps, prints, photographs, broadsides, periodicals, pamphlets, ephemera, and realia from the fifteenth to the twenty-first century. The collections complement the University’s teaching programs and the Library’s general collections with particular strengths in the subject areas of the Arts; English, Irish, and American literature; history and Delawareana; horticulture; and the history of science and technology. Manuscript strengths include American history, particularly Delaware and the surrounding region; contemporary American, British, and Irish literature; art and architecture; land use and the environment in the Delaware Valley; politics and government; and the history and technology of printing, publishing, and the book arts. Special Collections has an active exhibition program, including online exhibitions, and participates in other digital initiatives. Additional information about Special Collections is available at library.udel.edu/special/.

The University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press is committed to student success, scholarly research and inclusive excellence. The Library is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. The Library collaborates with strategic campus partners to achieve these priorities, as well as with national professional organizations including the Association of Research Libraries, Center for Research Libraries, Coalition for Networked Information, Council on Library and Information Resources, Digital Library Federation, Greater Western Library Alliance, OCLC Research Partnership, SPARC, HathiTrust, the National Digital Stewardship Alliance, the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM), Association of Academic Museums and Galleries, the American Alliance of Museums and the ACRL Diversity Alliance. More information about the Library is available at library.udel.edu/.

Benefits: 25 vacation days. Generous 403(b) retirement plan. Tuition remission for dependents and spouses, and course fee waiver for employees. Full information about University of Delaware benefits is available at: www.udel.edu/benefits/. 

Appointment:  Appointment expected at the rank of Assistant Librarian, pay grade 29E (less than 3 years professional experience). This position is part of the librarian career ladder governed by the University of Delaware Library Rank and Promotion System that guides professional development and advancement.