Temporary Music Sound Recording Cataloger/Librarian

The Diane & Arthur B. Belfer Audio Laboratory and Archive is, at present, a mostly hidden scholarly resource.  Since it was established in 1963, Belfer has acquired a collection of nearly 337,000 recordings that represent America’s cultural history in recorded sound, including 200,000 78-rpm recordings, 21,000 cylinders, 60,000 33 1/3 rpm recordings, 30,000 45 rpm recordings, numerous unpublished recordings, and a significant number of historical playback devices and recording artifacts. 

The Belfer’s collections have never been widely known to scholars, in large part because of inadequate cataloging.  To remedy that situation for a portion of Belfer’s collection, the Syracuse University Library seeks to join Yale University, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, and Stanford University in their Mellon-funded project to catalog 78-rpm recordings.  As one of the four largest sound recordings repositories in the U.S., aside from the Library of Congress, we will also discover which of our 78-rpm collections are unique and should receive priority in preservation.

Cataloging these single 78s will begin to unlock the scholarly resources in the Belfer collections. Though the Syracuse University Library has not formally participated in the current collaborative grant project as yet, we have applied for a Mellon grant so that we may contribute to this important work by cataloging the recordings on the Decca label, of which SU has at least 9,000 items.  Historically, Decca is significant in that it produced the third-largest U.S. commercial output (after Victor and Columbia).

Syracuse University Libraries invite applications for Music Sound Recordings Cataloger. This is an 18-month position for an experienced music cataloger running from April 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009. As a part of the Syracuse University (SU) Library, the Belfer Audio Laboratory and Archive seeks two librarians to catalog a portion of its 78 rpm music sound recording collection.  Final hiring is contingent upon grant approval.

• Under the general direction of the Assistant Head of Cataloging and Metadata Services, performs original and copy cataloging, as needed, in OCLC, for the Belfer Audio Laboratory and Archive collection of Decca label 78 rpm commercial sound recordings.
• Searches National Authority files for names, uniform titles and subjects, and verifies their accuracy.
• Consults lists of selected pre-determined print resources, to aid in providing enhanced documentation for catalog records.
• Consults with Syracuse University librarians and with catalogers at other institutions to obtain more information regarding the special processing aspects of the 78rpm collection.
• Searches OCLC for copy cataloging that may need enhancement.
• During the final phases of the project, works in cooperation with project staff at Stanford, Yale, and the New York Public Library to create a database of uncataloged archived recordings in compliance with protocols being developed by Stanford.
• Conducts batch-matching to capture cataloging data from OCLC records created by the other participating institutions.
• Supervise staff.
• Performs related duties as required.

• ALA-accredited Master's degree in Library and Information Studies.
• Undergraduate or graduate degree in music or the performing arts or an equivalent combination of education and experience in either field.
• Successfully demonstrated professional experience cataloging sound recordings or other music materials into a bibliographic utility using
• AACR2, MARC format, and LC subject headings.
• Successfully demonstrated experience cataloging into the OCLC national database.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including successfully demonstrated ability to deal tactfully and effectively with staff in a team setting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of sound recording history, including early record labels, and technology preferred. 
• Knowledge of conservation procedures and practices for sound recordings.

 $19.48 per hour, this is a temporary/non-benefits eligible position

To apply for this position, please log on to:
www.sujobopps.com

Syracuse University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.