Introducing Erica Moses, Metadata Specialist
In this post, we introduce the newest member of our digital services team!
Name
Erica Moses
Title
Metadata Specialist
What does your job entail?
In a word, spreadsheets. I help to ensure that the metadata (things like dates, file names, copyright information, etc.) for W&M Libraries’ digital collections is complete and accurate. That information helps us organize the items in the online platform and make sure they’re findable and usable by those who want to view them.
What interests you most about this job?
I love data, I love libraries, and I have strong feelings about the importance of digital preservation and accessibility. Also, my background is in archaeology and history, so I’m excited to be working mainly on projects involving items from Special Collections. I love learning about the manuscripts and rare books held by the College and knowing that my job is a small part of making them more available to people.
What do you hope to accomplish in your first year?
For now, I’m focused on learning the metadata workflow and how to navigate our various digital storage spaces and finding aids. Eventually, the plan is for me to also learn digitization procedures so I can lend a hand with that stage of the process as well. In general, I just hope to learn as much as I can about the library’s preservation and cataloging practices.
Tell us a little about your work background:
I’m an archaeologist by training, so I’m more accustomed to artifact collections than library collections. But I do have a lot of experience with creating and handling data—and with navigating libraries and archives as a researcher. My grad school experience leaned heavily into data management and digital preservation. Aside from my archaeology career, which was mostly in the museum world, I’ve also worked as a freelance transcriptionist and editor and as an adjunct instructor in the anthropology department of another university.
What attracted you to W&M?
I’ve lived in Williamsburg on and off for most of my adult life and love it here. William & Mary has a great reputation (several of my family members and many friends are/were alumni) and an interesting history.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like hiking, reading, cooking, visiting museums, and working on my photography skills. I occasionally dabble in craft projects, and my partner (Matt) and I have two cats (Charley and Calypso) who are always demanding attention.
