Metadata Systems Librarian Non-Latin Script Resources

Job Description

The UVA Library is seeking a Metadata Systems Librarian for Non-Latin Script Resources in the Metadata and Discovery Services (MDS) department. This position develops, implements, and advances computational and semi-automated approaches for creating and enhancing bibliographic metadata for non Latin script resources, in alignment with the strategic priorities of the Scholarly Resource & Content Strategy (SRCS) division and the University of Virginia Library.

This role collaborates closely with Library Information Technology professionals to design and support algorithmic workflows for transliteration, translation, and normalization of bibliographic titles in Arabic, Indic, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean (CJK), and other non-Latin scripts. The Metadata Systems Librarian bridges Metadata librarianship and technical development, contributing to scalable and sustainable solutions for multilingual Metadata creation and discovery.

The incumbent serves as a developer-adjacent metadata systems specialist, working across cataloging, metadata, and software development domains. This position develops and maintains expertise in cataloging principles, including MARC
21, RDA, authority control, and parallel script representation, ensuring that computational approaches align with established bibliographic standards. In addition, this role demonstrates readiness for linked data and semantic metadata practices (e.g., RDF, BIBFRAME), supporting the library’s transition toward interoperable, web-based data environments.

Metadata Systems Development & Algorithmic Workflows – 40%

• Collaborate with Library IT and development teams to design and support algorithms and semi-automated tools for generating and enhancing metadata for non Latin script resources.
• Develop, implement, and maintain metadata workflows for transliteration, translation, normalization, and romanization standards for bibliographic titles across multiple non-Latin scripts to support metadata quality, authority control, linked data integration, and multilingual resource discovery.
• Utilize scripting tools and software (e.g., Python) to process, transform, and analyze metadata
• Support development of systems that align vernacular script data with Romanized or translated metadata fields.
• Assist in testing and evaluating algorithmic outputs for accuracy, consistency, and alignment with cataloging standards.

Metadata Management & Standards Integration – 30%

• Collaborate with cataloging and metadata staff to integrate machine-assisted metadata into bibliographic systems, including MARC
  21 records and nonMARC schemas.
• Apply cataloging principles, including MARC
  21 structure, RDA, and authority control, to computational workflows.
• Assist in developing validation and quality control workflows for metadata creation
• Support cross walking, mapping, and normalization of metadata across systems.
• Contribute to documentation of standards, workflows, and local practices.

Collaboration & Cross Functional Engagement – 20%

• Work closely with Cataloging Librarians, Metadata Librarians, and IT professionals to identify priorities for multilingual Metadata creation.
• Provide expertise on non Latin scripts, transliteration standards (e.g., ALALC Romanization), and multilingual discovery.
• Participate in planning improvements to metadata workflows and discovery systems.
• Communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and support collaborative problem-solving.

Professional Activities – 10%

• Engage in professional development related to metadata systems, multilingual processing, and digital libraries.
• Contribute to experimental and pilot initiatives involving AI-assisted metadata generation
• Participate in national and international practice communities.
• Contribute documentation, presentations, or publications in relevant areas.

The library will hire in one of the following job profiles based on qualifications and experience and the working title of Metadata Systems Librarian for Non-Latin Script Resources:

Librarian II

• Master’s degree in library science from an ALA-accredited program or relevant graduate degree. Experience equivalency…