Resource Worker

The University of Southern California (USC) Libraries (Los Angeles, CA) seek an innovative, service-oriented Music Cataloger to join the Acquisitions & Cataloging Department. The successful candidate will perform cataloging and some processing work for music materials, including music scores and some CDs and DVDs. They may additionally participate in quality control of integrated library system and external sources, maintaining the bibliographic database, and auditing and correcting entries. This position will be full time for approximately 15 weeks, and will work on-site near the USC campus.

USC Libraries

USC Libraries faculty and staff work to advance consequential engagement with our academic and arts communities. We are committed to USC’s unifying values of accountability, integrity, excellence, open communication, well-being, and diversity, equity, and inclusion as we support the university’s students, faculty, and staff. USC Libraries take pride in our Digital Library, the Sidney Harman Academy for Polymathic Study with its Ahmanson Lab, our data and visualization services, and the library’s strong primary source collections, including the history of Los Angeles and Southern California; LGBTQ history and culture, particularly relating to West Coast activities and activism; cinematic arts; and the Holocaust and genocide, and exile studies. For more information on how our libraries support critical, creative, and ethical habits of mind at USC, visit https://libraries.usc.edu . 

Position Responsibilities and Duties

The Music Cataloger will:

• Catalog music scores of all types and in multiple languages. May catalog other music material including audio CDs and DVDs;
• Actively participate and positively contribute to the work of teams, partnerships, and committees established in the unit, across units within libraries, or between libraries and external units and organizations;
• Promote an atmosphere of collegiality and demonstrate a professional commitment that supports USC’s and the libraries’ mission and values, resulting in the attainment of stated and strategic operational goals;
• Assist and collaborate with other teams regarding other cataloging and preparation issues;
• Help maintain the bibliographic database, and update department manuals;
• Attends staff meetings and participates in committees and task forces, as assigned.

The Music Cataloger is required to exhibit an awareness of how their own activities contribute to the whole, and how activities and workflows within their unit mesh with those of others in the organization.

Experience and Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Music or Library Science
• Minimum Experience: Minimum of 2 years
• Preferred qualifications: Master’s degree in Music or Library Science
• Minimum Field of Expertise: Knowledge of general library operations and working knowledge of standard bibliographic and other reference tools. Knowledge of music theory. Knowledge of music librarianship principles and practices. Working knowledge of the ALMA LSP and OCLC Connexion.

The Music Cataloger will possess a(n):

• Understanding of library databases, cataloging rules and procedures related to music cataloging, including (but not limited to) Library of Congress standards, MLA best practices, RDA, and other relevant cataloging policies. Knowledge of Library of Congress Classification, with particular focus on music classification
• Aptitude for detail and accuracy
• Ability to work under pressure while multi-tasking
• Strong commitment to excellent customer service, demonstrated in part by meeting or exceeding all established quality and quantity standards
• Proficiency with library management software/systems
• Experience in higher education and/or library environments.
• Knowledge of one or more non-English language (preferably Romance, Germanic or a CJK language)

Application Procedure

As part of the application, candidates must upload one document file (Word or PDF) that contains the following: 1) a cover letter, 2) Resume (including telephone and e-mail address).

The hourly rate for this position is $26.00-$28.00. This is a full-time, temporary position. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC is an equal-opportunity educator and employer, proudly pluralistic and firmly committed to providing equal opportunity for outstanding persons of every race, gender, creed and background. The university particularly encourages members of underrepresented groups, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply. USC will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. Further information is available by contacting [email protected].

#LI-KH1

Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Music or Library Science
Minimum Experience: Minimum of 2 years
Preferred qualifications: Master’s degree in Music or Library Science
Minimum Field of Expertise: Knowledge of general library operations and working knowledge of standard bibliographic and other reference tools. Knowledge of music theory. Knowledge of music librarianship principles and practices. Working knowledge of the ALMA LSP and OCLC Connexion