A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

This position provides intellectual access to the collections and scholarly output of the law school, collaborates with other Librarians and staff to resolve issues related to the discovery of library materials,, and contributes to the completion of library-wide projects and initiatives.

The Metadata Librarian's main focus is creating, maintaining, and enriching metadata for the Library's digital and physical collections. This position is also responsible for working in coordination with the Head of Resource Description to establish best practices, standards, and procedures for metadata and/or cataloging across the library. If the selected candidate has only limited cataloging experience they will be encouraged and supported to develop the necessary skills through training and educational opportunities.

Founded in 1859, Michigan Law School is one of the world's leading institutions of legal education and enjoys a reputation for academic excellence. Michigan is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the nation and enjoys international renown for its intellectual rigor, stunning physical surroundings, preeminent faculty scholarship, and a community noted for collegiality and warmth. Michigan Law has an exceptional and cooperative community of talented and interesting students, with 1000 in the J.D. and 40 in the LLM. programs. Our commitments to collegiality, constructive and challenging debate, and enabling our students to pursue a wide range of options explain why the Law School has long been committed to diversity along many dimensions. Our graduates serve with distinction in the private, public, non-profit, and academic sectors, in large numbers in every major market in the nation and internationally.

The Law Library holds one of the world's most comprehensive collections of foreign, comparative, and international law materials. The University of Michigan is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which is considered among the best places in the United States to live and work.  With over 1 million volumes, the Law Library has one of the world's premier collections.
 

• Actively plan and perform work relating to description, discovery, access, retrieval, and management of objects in the Library Management System (LMS) and institutional repository. Use understanding of system capabilities to enhance discoverability of materials.
• Provide original or copy cataloging of materials in all formats and subjects; and in languages for which there is competence. Materials may include monographs, integrating resources and serials; in print, microform and electronic formats.
• Apply metadata according to national and library designated standards.
• Monitor emerging trends, innovations, and best practices related to metadata / cataloging standards (e.g., RDA, BIBFRAME, WikiData RDF). Advise on the application of appropriate current and emerging cataloging / metadata schema and inclusive description practices.
• Maintain awareness of evolving processes and practices; provide guidance in making efficient and innovative use of available tools and technologies relevant to description workflows.
• Conduct research in local and national databases to ensure orders for new electronic resources are accurate and will meet the intended need. 
• Participate in unit and library-wide work, projects, and problem-solving, including as a member or chair of committees or working groups, as assigned.
• Participate in the evening and weekend Librarian rotation at the information desk and  cover shifts for other librarian absences, as needed.
• Fill in for other librarians and provide back-up supervisory functions during vacations and other absences, as needed.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.
  

• Master's degree from an ALA accredited school of information or library science. (May 2026 graduates are encouraged to apply.)
• Experience creating and manipulating metadata using cataloging and classification standards such as RDA, MARC, and Library of Congress classification.

• Cataloging or technical services experience in an academic or research library.
• Experience working with electronic resources (batch record loads, knowledge base management, A-Z database list management, link maintenance, etc.)
• Experience with original and complex copy cataloging of resources in a variety of formats and languages.
• Experience with authority control. 
• Working knowledge of a non-roman foreign language.

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.

This position may be filled at the Assistant Librarian, Associate Librarian, Senior Associate Librarian, or Librarian level, depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

This is a regular, full-time (12 Month), 100% appointment and is subject to the collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the University of Michigan Lecturer's Employee Organization, AFT Local 6244, AFL-CIO, Librarians, Archivists, and Curators Bargaining Unit.

Salary: minimum $68,000 at the Assistant Librarian level, commensurate with experience and qualifications; benefits worth 28% of salary. Additional support is available for professional development activities.

Supervision Received: This position will report to the Head of Resource Description.

Supervision Exercised: None at this time, though Librarians may supervise full-time staff, temporary student staff, or other Librarians.

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 2025-2029 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 Law School  is Shawna McManus. They may be reached at mcmanus@umich.edu.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of ten 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.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.