Librarian (Acquisitions Technician)

Job Overview

Reporting to the Head of Acquisitions, this position receives, searches, and verifies accompanying financial documentation for all information materials in all formats for the Library of Congress (LOC) and approximately 30 academic institutional participants of the African Cooperative Acquisitions Program (AfriCAP). The role creates Initial Bibliographic Cataloging (IBC) records for all new publications selected using the LOC Integrated Library System (ILS) according to Resource Description and Access (RDA) cataloging, as well as other cataloging metadata creation rules and LOC policies. The incumbent initiates the payment process by creating and updating Purchase Orders and holdings records, thereby authorizing fiscal processing and approval for payments.

Key Responsibilities

Acquisitions, Receiving and Invoice Verification (50%)

• Receives high volumes of incoming packages of publications in all formats, purchased or otherwise acquired from 30 countries in the Sub-Saharan African region covered by the LOC-Nairobi Office.
• Verifies contents of packages against cover letters, invoices and receipts, and packing or shipping lists from different suppliers.
• Determines the source and method of acquisitions (purchase, gift or exchange).
• Maintains records of incoming shipments for each Bibliographic Representative and country.
• Determines the categories of incoming information resources (serials, monographs, and non-book materials).
• Using specialized search knowledge and skills, searches ILS, CAPS (LOC-Nairobi’s finance and acquisitions system) as well as other Online Public Access Catalogs (OPACs) to verify LOC and AfriCAP participant holdings for all received materials.
• Attaches various forms or selection slips to the serial or monograph for appropriate processing by other Sections and passes them to the Library Acquisitions Specialists for selection and subject/profile assignment.

Initial Descriptive Cataloging (35%)

• Creates initial descriptive cataloging for all new publications approved for retention from the 30 Sub-Saharan countries covered by LOC-Nairobi Office, using the MARC format for new monographs in ILS and for new serials in OFORS.
• Applies knowledge of Resource Description & Access (RDA), LOC cataloging standards, MARC tags and record formats, and ILS procedures and policies to ensure records are accurate and meet LOC standards, forming the basis for further cataloging by LOC catalogers and others.
• Checks relevant databases for consistency of title, avoidance of conflicts, and complete bibliographical control.
• Catalogs materials in various formats (books, maps, government documents, sound recordings, video recordings, compact discs, microforms, and other non-print or digital formats) in any languages used in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, sometimes working with language consultants or translation sheets.
• Catalogs online using ILS and the appropriate template for the format; these records are accessible worldwide through OCLC.
• When a Program in Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) record is available in OCLC, performs IBC Copy Cataloging/Z-Processing by adopting the PCC record and modifying necessary MARC fields per LOC policies.
• Assigns the official Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) and item barcode for each piece acquired for LOC, entering them into the IBC in the correct MARC fields.

Serials Check-in (15%)

• Checks serial issues into ILS using specialized software knowledge and skills to locate the ILS bibliographic record, holdings, and item record, and determines whether the item in hand matches before updating holdings/item record.
• Notes any changes/variations in title, volume, and numbering system of each serial.
• Updates and/or creates holdings record summary statements in the ILS database for reference by LC Washington and other users as material awaits shipment, eliminating the possibility of acquiring duplicates.
• Updates location data, enumeration, chronology, and status in item records, and re-sequences item records.
• Identifies errors and uses special validation techniques to reduce errors.

Note: This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The incumbent will be required to perform other duties as assigned by the agency.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements

• All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Security certificate or Public trust security clearance.

Education Requirements

University degree in Library or Information Science required.

Evaluations

You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement. You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test. You must complete the application form and provide the required documents. Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.

Experience

Minimum of two years of work experience in a library setting, with experience in online searching and cataloging required.

Languages

• English: Level 4 - Fluent; speaking/reading/writing, may include the ability to translate.
• Kiswahili: Level 3 - Good working knowledge; speaking, reading & writing.
• Please address this language requirement in your ERA application.

Job Knowledge

Knowledge of Machine-Readable Cataloguing (MARC) formats, and Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd ed. (AACR2) or Resource Description and Access (RDA) cataloging rules, and database management systems required. Good working knowledge of bibliographic formats and database searching. Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong computer skills including library management systems and MS Office required.
• Basic keyboarding skills required.
• Basic numerical skills required.
• Ability to organize work, place priorities, and manage time effectively.