Middle East & South Asia Metadata Specialist

Middle East & South Asia Metadata Specialist

University Libraries, Stanford, California, United States

Stanford Libraries is a network of over 15 libraries with over 400 employees. We are committed to fueling the teaching, learning and research across Stanford by acquiring, stewarding, and making available a robust collection, currently in excess of 12 million items. Everyone in the organization plays a vital role in fulfilling that objective. Our dedication to discoverability and information management also has us engaged in dynamic global partnerships.

We are constantly building and strengthening our organization, and we recognize striving for excellence is a marathon and not a sprint.

Metadata Services creates, enhances, remediates, and transforms descriptive and discovery metadata in multiple schemas to provide discovery and access to library resources in Search Works (our Blacklight implementation) and the Stanford Digital Repository, through the integrated work of four units:
Metadata Creation, Metadata Design, E‑resources Control and Data Control. The Metadata Creation Unit is charged with providing high quality cataloging (original & copy) and authority creation for incoming print materials, audio‑visual resources & individual e‑resources. Language specialists also provide metadata for materials in Special Collections.

The Middle East & South Asia Metadata Specialist will perform copy cataloging and minimal‑level cataloging for incoming materials and bulk collections in Arabic‑script languages (including Persian, Urdu, and Pashto), as well as other South Asian and/or European languages and scripts based on skill set and departmental needs. Responsibilities include reviewing and analyzing records in bibliographic utilities, performing copy cataloging, assigning Library of Congress classification using established Library of Congress Subject Headings, and creating minimal‑level cataloging in designated areas.

The specialist will also perform targeted metadata remediation for Middle East & South Asian materials.

This role requires strong language skills in the relevant languages and the ability to carry out a variety of complex tasks with minimal supervision and a high degree of initiative.

• Perform copy cataloging, enhanced copy cataloging or abbreviated/minimal cataloging for items in Middle Eastern & South Asian languages in Arabic script, primarily Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Pashto, and Hindi, according to local policies and procedures.
• Enter metadata in Arabic script and add transliteration (romanization) according to ALA/LC romanization standards. Other languages may be assigned according to department needs.
• Correct complex errors in bibliographic, holdings and item records in FOLIO to enhance discoverability of library resources.
• Create brief inventory records in FOLIO according to local guidelines and procedures.
• Determine subject content of books in different languages and assign Library of Congress call number and subject keywords.
• Identify duplicate items, duplicate records, added volumes and other situations that require further attention.
• Perform targeted metadata remediation for Arabic‑script resources.

* Other duties may also be assigned.

• Two‑year college degree plus three or more years of experience in an academic library, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

• Proficiency in reading Arabic, Persian, Urdu & Pashto; ability to process materials in a wide variety of other South Asian and/or European languages and subjects preferred.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, romanization of Arabic script according to ALA/LC romanization rules.
• Ability to effectively search bibliographic utilities (e.g., OCLC) for Arabic script materials.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, catalog records and MARC
  21 formats, and to effectively search bibliographic utilities.
• Ability to follow and apply local & national guidelines for abbreviated and minimal level cataloging, including determining basic subject matter and inputting…