Catalog Librarian

Information about the organization

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is a federally chartered, nonpartisan institution that was created by the US Congress to serve as America’s national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust and an educational institution dedicated to the history and lessons of the Holocaust. The Museum seeks to educate Americans from all 50 states and all walks of life as well as international audiences. The Museum has three areas of expertise: Holocaust remembrance, Holocaust scholarship and education, and genocide prevention.

In carrying out its important memorial and educational mission, the Museum is guided by its institutional values for our workplace: Honor the memory of the victims; carry out our work with dignity, humility, integrity and respect for others; and strive for excellence through teamwork, rigor, and a culture of continuous learning. Consistent respect for others is the foundation for trust, collegiality and inclusion.

Information about the role

The David M. Rubenstein National Institute for Holocaust Documentation’s (Rubenstein Institute) major responsibility is to collect, preserve, and make available the historical record of the Holocaust and to support with its stewardship of the Collection of Record the Museum's wide-ranging efforts in the areas of research, exhibition, publication, education, and memorialization. The United Stated Holocaust Memorial Museum Library is a specialized library dedicated to Holocaust and Genocide Studies. The Library provides general reference and research services to a wide variety of users, including Museum staff, visiting researchers, and the general public. The Library’s collection consists of published materials in a wide variety of formats and languages and aims to provide the nation’s most comprehensive international collection of Holocaust-related materials.

The primary purpose of the position is to provide library cataloging services for a wide range of users engaged in various aspects of Holocaust research. The employee investigates and analyzes unusual data sources to perform a variety of duties in one or more library functional areas, such as acquisition, bibliographic access (cataloging), collection development and digital access.

This position is located in Bowie, MD with the infrequent work at the Museum campus in Washington, DC. This position is eligible for limited hybrid telework, within the local commuting area of the Museum worksite.

Duties, and Responsibilities for the role

• Performs original and copy cataloging, including descriptive cataloging, subject cataloging, classification assignment, and shelf listing, for published materials in a variety of languages and formats including books, serials, electronic resources, online resources, audio and video recordings, and microforms.
• Applies current national and institutional library cataloging rules, standards, and practices, and utilizes the full range of cataloging tools to make comprehensive cataloging information pertaining to the Holocaust and genocide available to libraries and library users worldwide. Applies national library cataloging and metadata standards including MARC 21, AACR2, RDA, SUDOC, LCSH, Dublin Core, MODS, and other metadata schemas as appropriate. Performs authority control and maintenance on metadata records associated with published materials.
• Develops and documents institutional practices regarding cataloging policies, procedures, and workflows. Participates in projects to catalog special collections, develops training materials, and creates procedural documentation.
• Responds to inquiries regarding cataloging practices and performs database maintenance. Resolves and reports cataloging problems. Maintains currency with national cataloging standards and with innovations in the functionality of cataloging systems. Reports cataloging statistics to the Chief of the Library Branch.
• Evaluates, identifies and recommends print and non-print resources for the Library’s specialized collection from a variety of vendors in line with the collecting needs of the Museum and its researchers. Establishes and maintains contacts with potential donors and vendors. Obtains additional information regarding material availability and purchasing terms.
• Serves as liaison for Museum staff, volunteers, visiting researchers, other libraries, the private sector, and/or research groups in order to promote the Library’s resources. Represents the Library on Rubenstein Institute committees as appropriate.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications for the role

• A minimum of two years’ experience in cataloging, authority control, and e-resource management.
• Master’s degree in Library Science from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited program, or similar Master’s degree in a related field such as museum studies or archival science.
• Reading knowledge of at least one non-English European language, Hebrew or Yiddish.
• Demonstrated knowledge of cataloging rules and metadata standards using AACR2 and MARC, and relevant practical experience with non-MARC metadata in a library environment.
• Knowledge of current bibliographic standards and models such as RDA, LCSH, LCGFT, and catalog management procedures/techniques.
• Working knowledge of OCLC cataloging utilities and modern integrated library system applications.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute projects independently.
• Demonstrated ability to use independent judgment and discretion.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to embrace and implement new technologies and innovative organizational practices.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse range of people in a variety of circumstances.
• Time management skills, attention to detail, the ability to multitask.
• Initiative and Critical Thinking: Demonstrates ongoing interest in learning and contributes to organizational goals by taking greater responsibility than expected. Gathers, evaluates, and synthesizes information from observation and experience, to identify issues, recognize opportunities, and produce innovative solutions.
• Delivery Excellence and Flexibility: Displays high productivity and delivers quality work, while maintaining a professional attitude, in order to meet stakeholder needs and advance Museum goals. Maintains flexibility amid new information, and adapts to changing priorities to carry out duties.
• Teamwork: Works cooperatively with others, inside and outside the team/Branch/Division/Office, to accomplish shared objectives. Actively listens to others and presents own ideas clearly, concisely, and accurately in written and oral form.

Preferred Qualifications for the role

• Experience with name and subject authority records.
• Project management experience.
• Knowledge of the Holocaust and modern European history.
• Knowledge of the Voyager integrated library system.
• Reading knowledge of multiple non-English European languages, including in particular German, Polish, and/or Hebrew.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)