Description

The San Diego State University Library invites applications and nominations for a 12-month, tenure-track position to be appointed at the Senior Assistant or Associate Librarian level (depending on experience), with an anticipated start date in Summer 2025 with the possibility of an earlier start date if desired. The Principal Cataloging Librarian will provide expertise and leadership as part of the Content Organization and Management (COM) team to ensure timely, comprehensive, and effective discovery of all library collections, including digital objects, through the Library Service Platform (Alma) and other discovery services. We seek a creative, collaborative, and forward-looking colleague who can complement, strengthen, and expand partnerships across library departments and with colleagues across Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and the Division of Information Technology. More information about the SDSU Library is available at https://library.sdsu.edu/ 

The SDSU Library supports, promotes, and extends the distinctive teaching, learning, scholarship, and community engagement initiatives of the university, especially as those are highlighted in the university strategic plan, “We Rise, We Defy: Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives.” Committed to service and student-centered innovation in librarianship, recent library initiatives include the establishment of the Digital Humanities Center, buildIT makerspace, and partnerships around student success, including the establishment of the Latinx Resource Center. COM promotes discovery, access, and use of library collections, including more than 2.5 million volumes, 100,000 journal titles, and 450 databases, as well as a growing array of digital content. The unit values incorporating principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in cataloging work as expressed in the ALA Cataloging Code of Ethics. 

This is a full-time, tenure-track faculty position at the Sr. Assistant or Associate Librarian level (depending on qualifications). Continuing appointment and tenure are dependent upon evidence of library service effectiveness, professional growth and development, and service to the library, University, and community. The minimum salary for this position is based on the current CSU salary schedule and may be revised based on contract collective bargaining. The anticipated salary range is from $85,529 - $87,000 for Senior Assistant-Librarian 12-month or $101,000 - $110,000 for Associate Librarian-12-month. Salary placement will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience, and salaries higher than the published maximums may be offered in limited circumstances. San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For benefits information, click here.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The Principal Cataloging Librarian will:

● Guide the on-going review of SDSU cataloging policies and procedures to ensure proper application of appropriate local, state, and national standards.

● Provide original and complex copy cataloging for various materials across multiple languages, formats, and time periods in a contemporary MARC-based environment according to local, consortial, and national standards

● Manage SDSU Libraries participation in cooperative metadata endeavors such as NACO, SACO, and Wikidata

● Manage unit-wide cataloging project assignments and outsourcing projects with vendors like Backstage

● Collaborate with other descriptive units and departments at SDSU to lead organization-wide efforts to address issues of diversity, inclusion and social justice through cataloging and metadata practices.

● Maintain high quality of local cataloging and contributions to consortial and national databases by staying current with national and international cataloging standards, metadata strategies, emergent developments, and trends in librarianship

● Integrate an understanding of diverse populations and communities into cataloging and metadata policies and practices

● Work closely with COM team members to develop, assess, and implement cataloging policies and establish priorities for cataloging and metadata projects

● Assist with training, oversight, and guidance to library staff performing cataloging or metadata activities in the library

● Serve as an expert resource for cataloging and metadata activities in the library;

● Commit to fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace and to working effectively with a diverse student, staff, and faculty community

● Pursue professional development activities that demonstrate a continuous and meritorious record of contributions and achievements in the profession

● Participate in the shared governance of San Diego State University by serving on library, campus, and California State University committees; and,

● Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

● Graduate degree from an ALA-accredited program or foreign equivalent

● Previous experience in library cataloging, metadata, or related technical services activities

● Demonstrated understanding of current issues and emerging developments within the national cataloging environment, in particular, and in librarianship, in general

● Ability to work effectively as part of a team to maintain harmonious, cooperative working relationships

● Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills 

● Demonstrated potential to meet SDSU requirements for tenure and promotion based on library service, professional growth, and service to the University, community, and field.

Preferred Qualifications (Research indicates that applicants from underrepresented groups are hesitant to apply for positions if they do not meet all the required and preferred qualifications.(1) We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleague develop their skills. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to communicate how their work and other experiences satisfy the required qualifications in ways that may not be obvious.")

● Demonstrated working knowledge of RDA, LCCS, LCSH, and MARC formats and standards

● Demonstrated effective cataloging experience within a shared consortial system

● Demonstrated knowledge of database maintenance issues in an academic library resource management system and discovery interface

● Experience cataloging using the OCLC bibliographic utility

● Experience using a library resource management system, preferably Ex Libris Alma

● Familiarity with linked data principles and BIBFRAME

● Familiarity with policies or national cataloging programs, e.g., NACO, SACO, or CONSER

● Awareness of critical concerns in the field, including bias in resource description and access practices 

● Working knowledge of at least one foreign language, preferably Spanish

SDSU is a large, public, diverse, urban university and Hispanic-Serving Institution located on Kumeyaay land with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The university honors its residence on Kumeyaay land in its land acknowledgement and commitment to building a relationship with Indigenous peoples.

The University has embarked on a number of initiatives to hire cohorts of faculty supporting its commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including an upcoming cluster hiring program supporting Border Studies. The SDSU Library has adopted a Diversity Plan to guide our efforts to realize an institutional commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice. To meet the goals of this plan, we are seeking applicants with demonstrated experience in and/or commitment to teaching and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of underrepresented groups.

Candidates must satisfy two or more of the eight Building on Inclusive Excellence (BIE) criteria. Candidates that meet BIE criteria: (a) are committed to engaging in service with underrepresented populations within the discipline, (b) have demonstrated knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students and faculty within the discipline, (c) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentoring underrepresented students, (d) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to integrating understanding of underrepresented populations and communities into research, (e) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to extending knowledge of opportunities and challenges in achieving artistic/scholarly success to members of an underrepresented group, (f) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to research that engages underrepresented communities, (g) have expertise or demonstrated commitment to developing expertise in cross-cultural communication and collaboration, and/or (h) have research interests that contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education. Please indicate in a separate diversity statement how you meet at least two (2) of these criteria. Additional guidance on our BIE program for applicants is here.

In addition to your application letter, please provide a 300-word Diversity Statement describing how you meet two or more of the following Building on Inclusive Excellence (BIE) criteria. A successful candidate will demonstrate how they:

● Are engaged in service with underrepresented populations in higher education 

● Demonstrate knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students and faculty in higher education 

● Have experience or demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentoring underrepresented students

● Integrate understanding of underrepresented populations and communities into research

● Extend knowledge of opportunities and challenges in achieving artistic/scholarly success to members of an underrepresented group

● Are committed to research that engages underrepresented communities

● Shows expertise in cross-cultural communication and collaboration

● Have  research interests that contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education

The SDSU Library Diversity Statement is available at https://library.sdsu.edu/about-us/sdsu-library-diversity-statement

SDSU is the oldest institution of higher education in the San Diego region, with a campus in San Diego serving 36,000 undergraduate and graduate students and additional locations in Southern California’s Imperial Valley and Tbilisi in the Republic of Georgia. SDSU is included in the Carnegie Foundation’s Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity category. Established in 1897, SDSU offers bachelor degrees in 97 areas, masters in 84 and doctorates in 23. See http://www.sdsu.edu for more information. SDSU is a large, diverse, urban university, an Asian-Native American-Pacific Islander -Serving Institution and a Hispanic-Serving Institution with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence. Our campus community is diverse in many ways, including race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, pregnancy, medical condition, and covered veteran status. We strive to build and sustain a welcoming environment for all.

Application Instructions

Applicants must apply via Interfolio http://apply.interfolio.com/152771

Candidates should submit an application, cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement demonstrating commitment to diversity in library, museum, community, or cultural center service, and names and contact information of three (3) references. This position will remain open until filled. Review will begin immediately, with preference given to applications received by October 31, 2024. Anticipated start date is Summer 2025 with the possibility of an earlier start date if desired.

As part of its commitment to a safe and equitable “OneSDSU” community, SDSU requires that individuals seeking faculty employment provide at the time of application authorization to conduct background checks if they become a finalist for the position; applications without this authorization will be considered incomplete and not considered.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

SDSU is a Title IX, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, or covered veteran status.