Duties

Summary

The Library of Congress seeks early-career librarians to bring their intellectual engagement, technological savvy, and theoretical understanding of library and information science concepts to bear on practical challenges via the Librarians-in-Residence program. The program is managed by Internship and Fellowship Programs, Human Capital Directorate.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

About the Librarians-in-Residence program:

The Librarians-in-Residence program offers early-career librarians the opportunity to develop their expertise and contribute to building, stewarding, or sharing the national collection. Some Librarians-in-Residence may also have the chance to create, manage, and distribute national collection metadata.

Library staff will mentor recently graduated librarians, emphasizing the application of theory to practice through hands-on work. During the six-month appointment, the Librarians-in-Residence will gain meaningful experience in at least one of the following core work areas: acquisitions and collection development; archives and special collections; digital services; cataloging and metadata; collection preservation; reference and instruction; and systems and standards.

Librarians-in-Residence will also be expected to present information from their educational experiences to Library of Congress staff in formal or informal settings.

The service units sponsoring librarian residents are Library Services; National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled; and the U.S. Copyright Office.

Knowledge Development:

Applies knowledge of standard library methods, techniques, concepts, and principles of one or more specialty areas of librarianship to independently perform assignments in acquisitions and collection development, archives and special collections, cataloging and metadata, collection preservation, digital services, reference and instruction, systems and standards.

Develops knowledge of the types of materials within the Library's collections, including how they are collected, acquired, cataloged, preserved, and shared, and the procedures governing their use. Develops and maintains personal contacts and cooperative work relationships with librarians and others in Library Services; National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled; and the U.S. Copyright Office, with colleagues in other residency programs, and with subject matter experts in the field of librarianship and information science to provide or exchange information. Presents information to groups and persons with similar understanding of the subject. Attends workshops, conferences, seminars, or meetings in librarianship and other relevant fields for professional development.

Practical Skill Application:

Utilizes standard methods, techniques, concepts, and principles to complete assignments related to one or more specialty areas of librarianship.

Catalogs various materials in an automated cataloging environment where the bibliographic characteristics of the material are relatively easy to determine and cataloging decisions are made within established standards. Searches entries in automated and manual catalogs. Assigns headings to catalog entries. Resolves routine problems promptly and independently, involving the supervisor on only the more difficult problems and recommends solutions or courses of action.

Applies standard rules, guidelines, and reference tools and established techniques and practices; and participates in formulating plans for changes and improvements to cataloging-related issues.

Provides reference and/or research services where needs are relatively easy to determine from client interviews or written requests, and the bibliographic source materials are readily accessible, i.e., can be found within the Library's collections or a database by use of standard search procedures. Orients users and explains procedures and regulations governing use and handling of the collection's materials. Obtains, analyzes, and organizes information using standard reference tools and established techniques and practices. Searches and creates annotated bibliographies, guides, or other knowledge products to facilitate the client finding subject specific information and resources in print and online.

Assists in the creation and maintenance of information systems to manage the Library's collections and meet existing and foreseeable needs for reference and research support. This includes assisting with creating, managing, and distributing national collection metadata and related standards.

Monitors the condition of collection material to ensure adherence to established standards and specifications and brings deteriorating items and those with special needs to the attention of division management.

Shares responsibility for the security and safe handling of materials by adhering to the Library's collection security policies and procedures. Ensures items are not damaged, misfiled, or lost through use.

Participates in formulating plans for collection development limited to developing factual data, and provides assistance in investigating minor collection problems, issues, or questions to recommend courses of action.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
09

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

No additional requirements to those listed above.

Qualifications

The program is open to students who earned or will complete their Master's degree in library/information science from an American Library Association-accredited program after December 2019 and by June 2021. The program selectees will be expected to report to work in June 2021.

A complete application package will consist of:

• Your resume
• Your responses to a vacancy questionnaire, including a mandatory Candidate Statement of Interest
• A legible copy of your latest college/university transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official Transcripts will be required if selected for the position. Transcripts must be issued by the college or university, and must include your name, the name of the institution, and the courses and course dates. Screenshots, Word or other text documents, and stand-alone course lists are not acceptable . Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification.
• Names of three references: 1) the dean or director of your library/information science program, 2) a professor in your library/information science program OR a supervisor in your current job, and 3) a reference of your own choosing. References may be contacted by telephone or email and asked about the candidate's qualifications.
• Applicants will be evaluated against the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties of the position; the better qualified candidates will be offered an opportunity for an interview in person, by telephone, or by other telecommunications means. In addition to the knowledge, skills, and abilities, the following competencies will also be addressed during the interview:
• Ability to communicate in writing and orally
• Ability to organize and plan work
• Finalists may be required to submit a writing sample on a topic related to library and information science.

Conditions of Employment:

The applicants will indicate their preferred placement from among the service units sponsoring the Librarians-in-Residence program. See applicant questionnaire.

The service units sponsoring librarian residents are Library Services; National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled; and the U.S. Copyright Office.

Telework may be granted at the beginning of the appointment by the supervisor at their discretion; however, participants will be expected to relocate to the Washington DC metropolitan area and be available to report onsite, as required by the position, if pandemic conditions improve and/or the Library modifies the terms of its current telework policy.

About Library Services:

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the oldest federal cultural institution in the nation and the largest library in the world. Library Services serves as the central library within the Library of Congress and has primary responsibility to build, steward, make available, and assist others in using the Library of Congress' unparalleled, multi-format and universal collection from its thirteen staffed locations (including six overseas offices). Staff acquire, catalog, process, preserve, and make accessible over 170 million collection items, while also providing reference, metadata, standards, and consultative services as appropriate to Congress, individual users, government agencies, other libraries, museums, cultural institutions and professional or community associations. The service unit provides leadership within the library and archives communities by serving as the maintenance agency for multiple standards, and by acting as a leader of or collaborator on numerous projects, groups, and or programs in the cultural heritage community. Library Services provides access to its staff and collections onsite via its reading rooms and online throughout the Library of Congress website at www.loc.gov .

About the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled:

Established by Congress in 1931, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled administers a national library program that provides free braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page. Through a national network of 97 cooperating libraries and 3 machine-lending agencies, NLS selects and circulates more than 19 million books, magazines, and music scores in braille or audio formats. Digital audio and ebraille materials are also available through the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) service and the BARD Mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

About the U.S. Copyright Office:

The U.S. Copyright Office promotes creativity and free expression by administering the nation's copyright laws and by providing impartial, expert advice on copyright law and policy, for the benefit of all. The Copyright Office is responsible for administering a complex and dynamic set of laws, which include registration, the recordation of title and licenses, and a number of statutory licensing provisions. The Office also acts as a conduit for the Library, providing certain works of authorship, known as copyright deposits, to the Library for its collections. In fiscal 2018, the Office forwarded more than 736,000 works, worth a net value of $47.5 million, to the Library. The Office serves as the authoritative public record of copyright ownership in the United States.

Education

The program is open to students who earned or will complete their Master's degree in library/information science from an American Library Association-accredited program after December 2019 and by June 2021.

You 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. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application.

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) . Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application.

Additional information

Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid the minimum step of the grade.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation.

The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period.

The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.

A "Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.

Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs), gained through education, experience and/or training, which are needed to successfully perform the duties of the position:

• Knowledge of library and information science.
• Ability to apply knowledge of current and emerging technologies and techniques in library and information science.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.

The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection.

For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library of Congress Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D, at: http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment/msp010909.pdf .

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

You 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. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application.

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) . Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application.

Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).

Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. The program does not accept certification from health care providers. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.