Librarian (Collection Development Librarian)

Library of Congress • Washington, DC

2d

About The Position

The Librarian (Collection Development Librarian) serves in the Collection Development Office, Library Collections and Services Group at the Library of Congress. The position supports systematic studies of collections to assess their strengths and weaknesses, identify trends, and recommend ways to enhance collections in assigned subjects or formats. The work follows approved analysis protocols and considers emerging information-dissemination trends, user needs—including those of Congress—and the anticipated needs of future users.

The librarian evaluates collection scope and depth against collection development policy levels, usage, comparisons with other national and leading academic and research libraries, and available information resources. The position also supports collection policy updates and review schedules, researches policy standards, maintains collection-development documentation, and prepares analyses, reports, correspondence, presentations, and meeting materials. The librarian collaborates with senior analysts, curators, subject specialists, managers, and partners across the Library, and represents the Collection Development Office in meetings, committees, conferences, and programs.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining-unit position. The incumbent will work a compflex schedule. Relocation expenses will not be authorized. Applicants must meet the professional education requirements for librarianship and the additional education or experience requirements applicable to the grade level. A legible copy of college or university transcripts must be submitted with the application.

Requirements

• Progressively responsible experience and training sufficient to perform the duties without more than normal supervision.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of collection development.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with people from varied backgrounds to provide consultation, liaison, and facilitation services.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Ability to use integrated library systems, library applications, or other information technologies.
• Ability to analyze and organize information and materials, interpret collection-development data, and recommend changes.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally.
• Meet the professional education requirements for librarianship: either one full academic year of graduate study in library science in an accredited college or university plus a bachelor's degree, or at least five years combining college-level education, training, and experience that establishes the required professional librarianship knowledge and abilities.
• For GS-9 and above, meet the additional grade-level requirement of two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a master's in library science or equivalent related graduate degree.
• Submit a legible copy of college or university transcripts with the application. Foreign education must be supported by an equivalency report from a NACES- or AICE-member credential evaluation service.

Responsibilities

• Participate in systematic collection studies to assess strengths and weaknesses, identify trends, and recommend strategies to enhance collections in an assigned subject or format.
• Follow approved collection-analysis protocols and collaborate on studies that account for emerging information-dissemination trends and current and anticipated user needs.
• Assess the scope and depth of assigned collections using collection policies, usage, comparisons with other libraries and information centers, and available resource lists, catalogs, and bibliographies.
• Use internal and external collection databases, including integrated library systems, OCLC, and WorldCat, in collection studies.
• Compile, manipulate, and maintain information using relational databases such as Microsoft Access.
• Assist senior collection development analysts, curators, subject specialists, and managers with reviewing, editing, and updating collection policy statements and related documentation.
• Assist with managing collection policy review schedules and research policy standards in consultation with internal and external stakeholders.
• Update collection development and acquisitions documents for internal and external audiences using word-processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
• Prepare narrative and graphical reports about collection strengths and weaknesses and acquisition goals.
• Draft descriptive memoranda, correspondence, reports, and other documents incorporating text, graphs, charts, tables, and other visual representations for review by senior analysts.
• Document collection policy activities and schedules and maintain collection development documentation.
• Prepare meeting agendas, notes, and action items to support collection development milestones.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual, and other production and activity reports highlighting accomplishments and trends.
• Represent the Collection Development Office in meetings, conferences, and programs and serve on cross-organizational committees, task forces, and focus groups.
• Promote Library of Congress collection development policies and practices to internal stakeholders.
• Identify and report issues affecting effective and efficient collection development to senior analysts.
• Deliver presentations and participate in discussions concerning emerging issues and resolution of matters related to collection development, management, preservation, and storage.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with collection development partners, collaborators, acquisitions staff, preservation staff, and reference librarians.
• Maintain awareness of issues, practices, trends, and collaborative efforts in collection development, storage, and preservation.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• The Library may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans, subject to service-unit approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level