Reference Librarian

This position is located in the Researcher Experience Section, Researcher Engagement and General Collections, General and International Collections Directorate, Researcher and Collections Services. 

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 engage and perform outreach activities. **

Ability to use integrated library systems, applications, or other information technologies. **

Ability to communicate in writing.

Ability to build and maintain professional relationships.

Ability to develop and manage library collections.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Responsibilities:

The Researcher Engagement and General Collection Division is seeking three (3) collaborative and service-oriented librarians to join the newly formed Researcher Experience Section. These positions are responsible for facilitating a positive researcher experience with the extensive general collections at the Library of Congress. The Research Experience section provides 1) point-of-need researcher support for use of the general collections in both the Main and Science & Business Reading Rooms 2) chat and online reference services, and 3) learning and instructional content through onsite and online modalities.  The Researcher Experience librarians work closely and collaboratively with the other sections of the Division: Science, Business, History and Genealogy, Humanities and Social Sciences, Access Services, and Collection Services; and in coordination with other units throughout the Library.

The position serves as a Librarian in the Researcher Engagement and General Collections Division within the General and International Collections Directorate (GICD), Researcher and Collections Services (RCS) within the Library Collections and Services Group (LCSG)at the Library of Congress (Library). The position reports to the supervisor of the Researcher Experience Section within the Division.

The librarian is responsible for facilitating research and reference instruction and support onsite and virtually; and coordinating library engagement and interaction with a large and diverse array of users and communities and collaborating with colleagues to build the collections of the de facto national 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. In the provision of reference and research services, the librarian utilizes traditional in-person methods in reading rooms and emerging technologies including social media and digital scholarship to assist researchers and other audiences in the use of library resources. The librarian serves as the division's primary liaison with researchers, visitors, and communities of practice, raising awareness of our collections and resources and making them accessible to all.

Enables access, discovery, dissemination, and use of collections and resources, current and historical, analog, and digital, for all users. Provides support for the identification and selection of sources for those engaged in routine research and maintains connections and life-long learning opportunities for casual users through the discovery and use of the Library's resources.

Provides reference and instruction to individual researchers and groups where needs are relatively easy to determine 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. Develops knowledge of resources in other institutions to provide informed referrals. 

Provides in-person and telephone reference services in a reading room setting and through reference desk rotation, including some weekend and evening hours. Utilizes technologies such as Ask-a-Librarian, email, chat, social media, and video conferencing to provide research and reference services. Responds orally or in writing to inquiries related to assigned field of responsibility. 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 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. Assists in developing content for traditional print outlets and social media platforms.

Collaborates with the Library's programs for congressional outreach, visitor engagement, educational outreach, and exhibitions, and with other collections-based programs.

Performs various other duties as assigned.

The position description number for this position is 447805.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.

The incumbent of this position will work a flextime work schedule.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.