Duties
The Serial and Government Publications Division serves as a primary access point for a wide variety of serial collections and is responsible for the development and management of its collections. Custodial collections include foreign and domestic newspapers, unbound periodicals, government publications (GPO Depository), intergovernmental publications and documents (United Nations), and other specialized serial collections, such as comic books. Clients include Congress, Foreign and US Government agencies, national and international academics and scholars, research and scientific institutions, the professional and business communities, and the general public.
Provides reference and instruction to individual researchers and groups where needs can be determined from standard research interviews, in-person or virtually, and the bibliographic source materials are of limited technical complexity. Identifies domestic and international analog and digital resources in a field of specialty to address user needs that are easily determined from interviews or written requests. Searches standard databases where the information is relatively stable, such as for bibliographic citations of a general nature. Seeks assistance for locating materials that are not readily accessible. Develops knowledge of resources in other institutions to provide informed referrals. Provides support of limited technical complexity in evolving forms of digital scholarship. Assists users with specialized collections under the direction of senior staff and seeks assistance for locating materials that are not readily accessible.
Provides in-person and telephone reference services in a reading room setting and through reference desk rotation. Utilizes technologies such as Ask-a-Librarian, email, chat, social media, and video conferencing to provide live and asynchronous research and reference services. Increases access to and convenience of online resources and services by assisting in preparing research guides, collection guides, and finding aids on specific topics of recognized research interest and demand using standard search strategies. Assists senior librarians in revising or updating research materials and guides.
Orients users and explains procedures and regulations governing use and handling of materials in the collection. Coordinates the acquisition of items of limited technical complexity, or those easily acquired, through the online acquisition process. Examines recommendations to identify processing and custodial requirements and to identify out-of-scope materials. Maintains liaison with other recommending officers and subject specialists to coordinate acquisition of materials within and across divisions at the Library. The librarian helps balance new collections acquisitions with responsible stewardship of existing collections while building a more diverse and inclusive record for future generations. The librarian serves as a direct liaison with researchers, visitors, and communities of practice, raising awareness of our collections and resources and making them accessible to all.
Assists in reviewing a wide variety of brochures, catalogs, journals, and other sources for new items and sources for possible acquisition to develop collections in areas of subject or geographic responsibility. Assists other staff in determining the quality and usefulness of collection materials. Assists in developing strategies for the organization, storage, preservation, and service of materials. Monitors the condition of collection materials to ensure adherence to established preservation standards and specifications.
Assists with research facilitation, book discussions, tours, workshops, orientation sessions, author talks, workshops, consultations, displays, tutorials, and other means of engagement. Collaborates with the Library's programs for congressional outreach, visitor engagement, educational outreach, and exhibitions, and with other collections-based programs. Assists in developing content for traditional print outlets and social media platforms.
Represents the division and attends workshops, conferences, seminars, or meetings in librarianship and other relevant fields for the purpose of professional development.
Performs various other duties as assigned.
The position description number for this position is 447805.
This position is full-time, flextime work schedule.
This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.
Qualifications
Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.
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 communicate in writing.
Ability to provide consultation or liaison duties.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How to Apply
Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure you are considered for the position.
You are required to apply online for this announcement. We are unable to accept mailed or emailed documents. You must complete the entire application process, including submission of all documents BEFORE this announcement closes. To do so, complete the following steps.
Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. Although you must enter your Social Security Number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Library of Congress.
Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the end of the Qualification and Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer in Step 4. You may wish to customize your USAJOBS resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions.
Step 3: Click on the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account and submit your resume. You will be redirected to the Hiring Management website to complete the application process. If this is your first time in Hiring Management, you will be asked to answer questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. You will be able to update this information and save it to our account for future announcements.
Step 4: Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly.
Step 5: Hiring Management offers three options that will electronically attach your documentation to your online application once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement.
(1) You may select a document that you have already uploaded to USAJOBS for a previous announcement.
(2) You may electronically upload a document directly from your computer to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation of the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have multiple documents of the same kind, e.g. 2 undergraduate transcripts from different schools or 2 SF-50s, etc., be sure that they are all in the same file on your computer or in your USAJOBS profile before uploading them. If you try uploading them individually, only the last one sent will be visible in our system. If you have any questions about this information, please contact the person on this announcement BEFORE the closing date.
Step 6: Click on "Finish" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your Hiring Management or MY USAJOBS account. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, etc.) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. It is your responsibility to ensure that all documents are received on time and that the materials are readable. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from consideration for this announcement.
If you are experiencing any technical difficulty with the online process, you MUST CONTACT THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. For all technical issues please contact jobhelp@loc.gov , no later than 4:30pm EST of the Closing Date. REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.
Next steps
Please review our evaluation process under Evaluation. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My USAJOBS" tab and clicking on "My Applications." You will receive final notification via e-mail when the vacancy has been filled.