August 1, 1999

Abstract/Context
The digital information infrastructure of the Library is maturing rapidly. The movement from a project-based mode to an architecture for digital collections requires the development of multiple components, including metadata (e.g., descriptive, administrative, structural), search and retrieval systems, interfaces, storage/archiving strategies, etc. In addition, there is a concurrent need to document this architecture and to address related policy and operational issues associated with the architecture. This development is a collaborative undertaking, often involving expertise from Public and Technical Services, as well as the Library Systems Office and the Digital Library Initiative. Increasingly, too, the Library is called upon to lend expertise to the development of digital content elsewhere on campus or at other institutions. The Metadata Specialist will provide leadership within the Technical Services division and the University Library associated with intellectual access involving descriptive metadata. He/she will sustain a high-level of knowledge and expertise related to metadata and will have significant responsibilities associated with the deployment of these schema and the development of required policy and procedures.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Infrastructure and operations (50%) The Metadata Specialist will play a primary and coordinating role in the development of schema for descriptive metadata and metadata production processes for collaborative projects. Working with staff in various Library and campus units, the Specialist will typically act as part of various teams that includes public service/collection staff and technologists (e.g., from Library Systems or Digital Library Production Service). Tasks may include data analysis, conversion specifications, taxonomy development, implementation planning and coordination (for metadata), and implementation support. Responsibilities include:
  1. Work with various University and Library units to coordinate and facilitate cooperative efforts in providing access to electronic resources via intellectual metadata. Holds primary responsibility for the development of descriptive metadata schema in these efforts and coordination with those responsible for maintaining the online catalog. Takes responsibility for specification of resource requirements for metadata components of projects and developing workflow specifications.
  2. Identify metadata-associated projects and define their relationship to the Library catalog. In association with the Head of Cataloging for Special Projects and Collections (Jackie Shieh), identify techniques for translating among different descriptive metadata systems, including the online catalog.
  3. Specify architecture for making multiple standard thesauri rational to the user, including identifying and mapping semantic relationships among assorted taxonomies.
  4. Provide leadership for the Library in its information management role with other University Units to develop digital access to collections that use intellectual metadata.
  5. Establish an organizational framework for the development of local policies in support of consistent and standardized treatment for metadata. Take the lead on the documentation, distribution and review of policies drafts.
  6. Create and maintain a structure to document local decisions regarding standards and policy used by the Library to apply intellectual metadata.
  7. Develop content metadata schema for representation and retrieval of campus resources—e.g., through the University Gateway.
• Access and development (25%) As the information environment becomes more heterogeneous and distributed, mechanisms for making sense of the diverse environment for the individual user and various user communities is critical. This "sense making" involves exploitation of domain-specific vocabularies as well as strategies to bridge between and among schema. In addition, the Library will be launching various added-value services that build on digital content (e.g., table of contents, current awareness, and profiling services for users, allowing customization of interface and services). The Metadata Specialist will take a lead role in bringing intellectual metadata expertise to bear on the development of these services. Specifically:
  1. Assist in building a seamlessly presented set of value added services from the networked, multiple database environment.
  2. Provide guidance in the design of content metadata necessary in the creation and use of user profiles.
  3. Specify the relationship of electronic collections to other library materials in terms of inclusion in catalogs, portals, web sites, local search engines, etc.
  4. Work collaboratively with the Assistant Head of the Digital Library Production Service in the application of structural and administrative metadata to diverse collections.
• Education and Staff Development (25%) The Specialist will play an educational role in ensuring a broad-based understanding of intellectual access mechanisms among the Library staff. In particular, the Specialist will take the lead in disseminating information about metadata and developing venues in which to share information about metadata’s relevance to the design of digital collections. These responsibilities include:
  1. Monitor trends in intellectual metadata issues and inform library departments about key developments. Maintain a knowledge of intellectual metadata sets used in assorted fields likely to be applied to served resources.
  2. Prepare documentation, tools, and training for those assigned to the creation of descriptive metadata. Maintain a central repository of information on current and historical content metadata standards as used by the Library and other metadata communities.
  3. Represent intellectual metadata use, maintenance, and service issues to Library groups. In association with digital initiatives, serve as consultant to Library/University on issues related to descriptive metadata.
  4. Investigate and evaluate national and international standards for intellectual metadata. Participate in national standards efforts to encourage the sharing of metadata information.
  5. Maintain an understanding of the requirements and specifications of software used in the creation and conversion of descriptive metadata.

• MLS from ALA accredited program.
• 7-10 years experience within a research library environment, which includes library cataloging and experience with creation and maintenance of records for similar large metadata repositories.
• Demonstrated leadership in the descriptive metadata arena, including involvement in national efforts associated with metadata.
• In depth knowledge of metadata schema already in use plus knowledge of national digital library initiatives and metadata standards.
• Successful experience with project management and collaborative program development.
• Demonstrated knowledge of access and management systems for networked delivery of information.
• Demonstrated communication, analysis and negotiation skills.
• Experience in providing technical training and writing documentation.
• Facility with a minimum of two foreign languages.

University of Michigan - University Library