Metadata Librarian

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How to Apply

A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, in two pages or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skill set. Submit both a cover letter and a resume as one file (because of system limitations).

Job Summary

The William L Clements Library at the University of Michigan is seeking a qualified Metadata Librarian for a 2-year term appointment. The Metadata Librarian is responsible for creating item- and folder-level metadata for archival materials in the Manuscripts Division, and is dedicated to digitized papers or collections in the process of being digitized. The specialist will create metadata according to the appropriate schema; proofread and revise metadata created by digitization staff or from pre-existing sources; recommend changes in processes; keep abreast of best practices; and create documentation. The Metadata Librarian will collaborate with the Manuscripts Division and digitization team to provide online access to some of the William L. Clements Library's most-used archival collections. The initial focus of the position is on the papers of Henry Clinton, commander-in-chief of the British Army in North America, 1778-1782.

Who We Are

The William L. Clements Library is a University of Michigan library that houses original resources for the study of U.S. history and culture from the fifteenth through the nineteenth century. Its mission is to collect and preserve primary source materials, to make them available for research, and to create an environment that supports and encourages scholarly investigation of our nation's past.

For more information, please visit our website: William L. Clements Library

Responsibilities*

Note, the responsibilities and associated percentage of time spent on the specific functions below are what are anticipated for this position. The associated percentage of effort may shift and change slightly, depending on the metadata needs for the digitization project at a given time.

Metadata Creation and Proof-Reading/Revision of Metadata (85%)

• Create metadata for original archival items according to the established schema.
• Compare original archival items against pre-existing metadata for accuracy and revise as necessary.
  
  

Informed Best Practices (10%)

• Keep informed of best practices in the production of granular as well as broad metadata for manuscripts and other archival materials.
• Collaborate with the Curatorial staff to revise the metadata schema as needed to reflect best practices.
  
  

Other duties as assigned (5%)

• Collaboration and coordination with the Library's digitization team
• Documentation and attention to changing best practices
  
  

Required Qualifications*

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited institution.
• One to three years of relevant professional experience working with archival principles, practices, and descriptive standards for special collections materials.
• Knowledge of applications and tools relevant to metadata management, data manipulation, and transformation.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• Knowledge of, or capacity to learn, aspects of American history and culture of the 18th-early 20th centuries.
  
  

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

Please note: This is a 2-year term-limited position with the possibility of renewal depending on funding.

The mode of work for this position is On-site

Excellent benefits are available; for details, see

The general salary range for this position is $61,000 - $63,000. Candidates can expect to be paid a competitive and equitable salary. Factors used to determine salary include education level, experience, knowledge and skills for the position, and internal equity within the unit. All candidates are encouraged to discuss salary questions to honor alignment and transparency throughout the recruiting process.

Union Affiliation

This 2-year term faculty position is subject to the U-M/LEO-GLAM collective bargaining agreement. Appointment is at the Assistant Librarian level. The minimum salary for this position is $61,000 at the Assistant level. Salary is dependent on the candidate's qualifications and experience. The salary range for this position is $61,000-$63,000 annually.

This appointment is subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Michigan (the "Employer") and the Lecturers' Employee Organization, AFT Michigan Local 6244, AFL-CIO on behalf of their Librarian, Archivists, and Curator bargaining unit (the "Union" or "LEO-GLAM"). Any questions on union membership should be directed to LEO-GLAM at [email protected]

It is the policy of the University of Michigan to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. Pursuant to the 2022-2025 UM LEO-GLAM agreement, each appointing unit will designate an administrative contact ("administrative designee") who is responsible for communicating with the necessary parties about accommodation requests made by Employees in that appointing unit on each campus. The Administrative Designee for the William L. Clements Library is Helen Harding. They may be reached at [email protected]

Employees on the Ann Arbor or Dearborn Campuses may also contact the Disability Equity Office by email at [email protected], by phone at 734-763-0235, or by visiting their website.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

Decision Making Process

Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated hire date for this position will be January 12, 2026.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Job Opening ID

270022

Working Title

Metadata Librarian

Job Title

ASST LIBRARIAN LEO-GLAM

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Onsite

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

Acad & Fac Affairs

Department

Clements Library

Posting Begin/End Date

10/22/2025 - 11/13/2025

Salary

$61,000.00 - $63,000.00

Career Interest

Libraries & Museums