Library Technician (Collections Specialist)

Library of Congress • Washington, DC

5d

About The Position

The Library Technician (Collections Specialist) serves in the Inventory Management and Document Fulfillment Section, Collection Management Division, Preservation Directorate, Discovery and Preservation Services, Library Collections and Services Group at the Library of Congress. The role supports collections retrieval and collections integrity programs. For retrieval, the specialist handles the most difficult special search requests that other staff could not resolve, from requesters such as members of Congress and their staff, researchers, government agencies, courts, foreign embassies, research organizations, educational institutions, Library staff, and other libraries. This work requires in-depth knowledge of the Library of Congress classification scheme, familiarity with the locations of its materials, and knowledge of the Library’s organization and structure.

For collections integrity, the specialist independently conducts database searches and performs basic record creation, updates, and maintenance to support database maintenance and inventory control of monographs and serials in a variety of languages. The specialist supports the Collection Holdings Inventory Program and other inventory initiatives, helping maintain efficient workflow and throughput.

The position requires a physical examination before beginning work and recurring examinations every three years. The work involves physical exertion, including prolonged standing; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, and reaching; pushing loaded book trucks; and lifting moderately heavy items such as boxes of books or journals. The position is nonsupervisory, is in a bargaining unit, and uses a Compflex or Flexitime work schedule. Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

Requirements

• Progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to provide the knowledge and abilities needed to perform the duties with no more than normal supervision.
• Ability to process and maintain materials in library collections.
• Ability to use integrated library systems, applications, or other information technologies.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a team member.
• Ability to retrieve material from collections.
• Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
• Ability to meet the position’s physical demands and pass the required physical examination before beginning duties, with examinations recurring every three years.

Responsibilities

• Receive requests involving difficult bibliographic problems or highly specialized and scholarly research demands.
• Determine the scope of each search, the sources to consult, and possible alternative sources for obtaining requested items.
• Search for vague or difficult-to-find items using bibliographic tools and procedures, including completing special searches in major and special catalogs for varied collections and materials.
• Check shelves and library records to locate materials, determine whether items have been loaned or moved to another library location, and verify entries in manual and online files.
• Consult technical library science tools, reference and bibliographic sources, and printed and computerized catalogs and files to verify requester-provided information.
• Respond electronically to readers and other requesters about the availability of requested materials; contact requesters for additional information when needed.
• Consult external or other sources to identify locations for items not found in the Library and repeat searches for materials not yet located.
• Forward a report to the requester and place located items on reserve.
• Use Library databases and multiple systems to conduct complex manual and computerized searches, including LC ILS modules, OCLC, RLIN, and the National Union Catalog.
• Search and transcribe information from computerized and manual files to identify and locate requested items.
• Compile and distribute statistical reports on cleared and pending requests or other activities.
• Independently perform searches and basic record creation and updates to support database maintenance and inventory control of monographic and serials materials in a variety of languages.
• Assist with workload synchronization when necessary.
• Review selected types of problems corrected by inventory contractors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Possible repayment of all or part of federally insured student loans, subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed