Music Cataloging and Subject Specialist

Special Instructions to Applicants

All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and a resume in PDF format to the Supporting Documents section of the application. 

Inquiries: Lisa Spiro (Search Coordinator), lspiro@rice.edu. 

We will evaluate your application based on your cover letter and resume, so you do not need to fill out the Work History and Education sections of the online application. 

For more information about working at Fondren Library, please see  https://library.rice.edu/content/employment.

This position is unable to provide visa sponsorship.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary

This is a cataloging position focusing on music and audio resources. The Music Cataloging and Subject Specialist provides leadership in evaluation and application of current and emerging cataloging standards. Provides training or technical advice to library staff regarding resource description and metadata assignment. Advises patrons regarding audio recording equipment and metadata best practices. This position also manages the resource budget and provides support to the Shepherd School of Music (SSOM), one of the country’s youngest and most prestigious university-level programs. Primary work location and reporting to the Fondren Library. 

The ideal candidate for this role has demonstrable cataloging mastery pertaining to music and audio resources. They can describe nuances in these resources with nationally recognized vocabularies and standards. They are able to select and support the use of these resources by world-class musicians, faculty, and staff who likewise have specialized music expertise. The candidate should enjoy outreach and specialized reference activities in order to promote these library resources to professors, staff, and students.

Workplace Requirements

Following a six-month probationary period, this full-time position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. The role is expected to be on campus 80% of working hours, though additional remote work time may be arranged. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the proposed salary range is $68,000 – 71,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. Exempt positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s Degree from an ALA-accredited program or equivalent library and/or information science program
• Two or more years of experience working in an academic library (professional librarian or paraprofessional)

Skills: 

• Thorough knowledge of MARC cataloging standards and practices 
• Knowledge of library music vendor services; this role helps to develop and manage music collections in support of the SSOM
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proven ability to solve problems
• Outreach skills to promote library music resources and guide SSOM faculty, staff, and students in their effective use
• Flexibility in performing different tasks as library needs change
• Commitment to enhancing services through teamwork
• Ability to prioritize work to ensure departmental and library goals are realized
• Demonstrated commitment to staff development and continuing education
• Knowledge of integrated library systems, particularly Alma/Primo

Preferences

• Master’s Degree in Music is highly preferred
• Public speaking or teaching skills; this role may occasionally provide orientation or promotional sessions on music resources for classes or groups
• Knowledge/experience of music production, including using portable equipment to record solos and recitals off campus, troubleshooting audio-video equipment, proper mic/camera placements for different performances, and best practices for music recording

Essential Functions

• Provides original cataloging and leadership to describe and enable access to musical works (such as scores, monographs related to music, and CDs) acquired by Fondren Library
• Provides outreach to the SSOM including meeting with faculty and staff to align library resources with SSOM needs
• Responsible for music-related authority control
• Stays current with national cataloging standards, responsible for interpreting and adapting those for local purposes
• Participates in departmental and library‐wide committees and work groups established to further various aspects of the Fondren Library mission
• Develops and manages music resource collections (print, electronic, and audio) in Fondren Library and responds to music resource acquisition requests
• Field reference requests related to music
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Assists in the development and ongoing review of local policies and procedures for cataloging
• Provides training or technical advice to library staff regarding cataloging resource description related to musical works
• Occasional workshops or teaching on library resources and services
• Assists in coordinating a concert series in the library in partnership between the library and the SSOM
• Acts as liaison for music or audio projects with other departments within the library and/or other campus groups
• Assists and/or manages special cataloging projects undertaken by the department as assigned by the department head

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.