Reference Librarian - African

Library of Congress • Washington, DC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Library of Congress shares its vast collections of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, audiovisual materials, and priceless artifacts to cultivate curiosity and spark imagination. We engage, inspire, and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity. We seek highly talented professionals to join a vibrant and collaborative community. Your work here will have lasting impact on the Library and its users well into the future.

Requirements

• Knowledge of history, culture, and literature of the Eritrea, Ethiopia, and surrounding region.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in Amharic and English, and a highly desired knowledge of Ge’ez, Tigrinya, Afaan Oromo, or other African languages.
• Ability to provide reference and research services.
• Ability to develop and manage library collections.
• Ability to use integrated library systems, applications, or other information technologies.
• Ability to provide consultation, public programs, and liaison duties.
• Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
• Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate study in library science in an accredited college or university, in addition to completion of all work required for a bachelor's degree; or A total of at least 5 years of a combination of college-level education, training, and experience.
• Must submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected.
• Foreign Education – Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE).

Nice To Haves

• Highly desired knowledge of Ge’ez, Tigrinya, Afaan Oromo, or other African languages.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject-matter specialist as assigned and called on to evaluate and select materials for the library’s collection in those assigned subject areas.
• Review all relevant sources of items for possible acquisition to develop collections in areas of subject and/or geographic responsibility.
• Support collections development, print and digital, aligning them with the needs of current researchers, and with collection policies intended to sustain the growth of a universal collection.
• Help balance new acquisitions with responsible stewardship of existing collections while building a more diverse and inclusive record for future generations.
• Acquire material of underrepresented perspectives and voices in the Library’s collections to ensure diverse authorship, points of view, cultural identities, and other historical or cultural factors.
• Monitor the condition of collection materials to ensure adherence to established preservation standards and specifications.
• Develops comprehensive plans with conservation specialists, to provide appropriate treatment for deteriorating items and those requiring special attention.
• Respond to a full range of inquiries, including those in new or highly specialized fields of knowledge and those involving historical materials that are difficult to identify or locate.
• Facilitate book discussions, tours, workshops, orientation sessions, author talks, workshops, consultations, displays, tutorials, and other means of engagement.
• Develop content for traditional print outlets and social media platforms.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans.

What This Job Offers

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