Special Collections Cataloger

Posted by Sally Mason on

The Florida International University Libraries are seeking an energetic and service-oriented full-time Special Collections Cataloger. Located at the Green Library and reporting to the Head of the Cataloging Department, this position will have primary responsibility for original and complex copy cataloging and authority work for materials in the Libraries’ Special Collections. The FIU Special Collections department has as its foci the history, literature, culture, architecture and arts of the countries of the Caribbean Basin, Miami and the Florida Everglades. The department has built a core collection of books, pamphlets, documents, maps and blueprints, geared to the research and teaching needs of the university community. In addition to the printed material, the department is home to over 3000 audiovisual items (in varied formats) and over 23,000 photographs illustrating Caribbean politics from the ‘60s to the ‘80s, the Florida Everglades, early Miami and the architecture of Cuba. This collection is complemented by donations of cultural objects–handicrafts from Brazil, pre-Columbian figures from Central America, and medical equipment from Cuba and the US.

The librarian will work with the Head of Special Collections in consultation with the Head of Cataloging to establish cataloging priorities for the collection. FIU catalogers work in a statewide shared bibliographic database, currently using the Aleph library management system. Cataloging is done following national, state and local standards. The consortium of State University Libraries plans to implement RDA in synchrony with the Library of Congress on March 31, 2013. FIU catalogers contribute to NACO/SACO. Librarians are expected to participate in professional development, research, and service activities to meet the Libraries’ and University’s requirements for promotion.

Required Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program or equivalent
  • At least two years post- MLS professional cataloging experience using AACR2r, LCRI, LCSH, and MARC21 standards
  • Experience using OCLC and a library management system
  • Familiarity with authority control principles
  • Knowledge of Resource Description and Access (RDA)
  • Professional flexibility to operate between traditional MARC-based systems and metadata for a digital library environment
  • Effective oral and written communication, including ability to develop clear written procedures to assist with staff training
  • Ability to take initiative, work accurately, and follow through effectively and efficiently with all issues and tasks
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a culturally diverse environment
  • Ability to adapt to changing standards and evolving work-related expectations in a dynamic working environment
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Bibliographic knowledge of Spanish
  • Commitment to the service mission of the academic library

Desired Qualifications:

  • Latin American &/or Caribbean subject expertise
  • Experience doing NACO/SACO authority control work
  • Experience in cataloging rare books, manuscripts, and cultural objects
  • Knowledge of the “functional requirements” family of conceptual models: FRBR, FRAD and FRSAR
  • Knowledge of non-MARC metadata standards
  • Skill in standard office software, such as Word and Excel
  • Fluency in Spanish; other foreign languages useful

Rank/Salary: Non-tenured faculty status; rank and salary are competitive based on qualifications and experience.

About the Libraries: For information about the FIU Libraries, please visit http://library.fiu.edu.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply to Job Opening ID (505482) at jobsearch.fiu.edu and attach a cover letter, a resume, and the names and contact information for 3 professional references, in a single PDF file. To receive full consideration, applications and required materials should be received by March 11, 2013.  Review will continue until position is filled. All inquiries should be directed to Rita Cauce, Chair of the Search and Screen Committee, at caucer@fiu.edu.

FIU is a member of the State University System of Florida and is an Equal Opportunity, Equal Access Affirmative Action Employer.