Librarian (Reference)

About the role

The Library of Congress shares its vast collections of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, audiovisual materials, and priceless artifacts to cultivate curiosity and spark imagination. We engage, inspire, and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity.

We seek highly talented professionals to join a vibrant and collaborative community. Your work here will have lasting impact on the Library and its users well into the future.

What you will do

• This position is located in Reader Services Section, Music Division, Special Collections Directorate, Researcher and Collections Services.
• The Music Division in the Special Collections Directorate is the Library's primary gateway to collections and reference services on music, theater, and dance.
• The Music Division houses both a general collection of individually cataloged material and over 800 named special collections.
• These collections include scores, correspondence, writings, business papers, iconography, and musical instruments.
• The incumbent reports directly to the Head, Reader Services Section.
• The incumbent may be an authority in a specialized field of music and is an expert in digital reference service.
• They will perform duties that encompass complex, wide-ranging reference, research, and outreach assignments both within and outside of their specific field of specialization and plan comprehensive, in-depth methods to improve and support all automated reference activities.
• Librarians respond to inquiries received in person, by telephone, by correspondence, and by electronic media.
• These requests originate from Congress, foreign and U.S. Government agencies, national and international academics and scholars, research and scientific institutions, professional and business communities, and the public.
• The incumbent should maintain current and extensive knowledge of research trends in the performing arts and advances in reference librarianship.
• As the Librarian (Reference Specialist), you will: Provide reference services to individual researchers and groups where needs are determined through client interviews in person or over the telephone, or from written requests.
• Respond orally or in writing to inquiries related to assigned field of responsibility.
• Provide in-person and telephone reference service in the Performing Arts Reading Room.
• Search standard and specialized databases.
• Clarify vague requests for materials using proper bibliographic tools.
• Verify correct bibliographic information for requested items.
• Seek assistance locating materials that are not readily accessible.
• Develop knowledge of resources in other agencies or institutions to provide informed referrals.
• Provide complex reference and research services.
• Examine publications, electronic resources, and trends in topics related to a specialized field.
• Develop knowledge of collections for use in performing research tasks.
• Assist in preparing research guides and finding aids on specific topics of recognized client interest using standard search strategies and describing research methodologies.
• Assist senior librarians in revising or updating research materials and collection development activities.
• Identify foreign and international print and electronic resources in a field of specialty to address user needs that are determined from interviews or written requests.
• Use standard methods, techniques, concepts, and principles to perform assignments, which may involve materials in multiple languages.
• Assist senior reference staff in determining the quality and usefulness of collection materials.
• Assist in developing strategies for the organization, storage, preservation, and service of materials.
• Monitor the condition of collection materials to ensure adherence to established preservation standards and specifications.
• Bring items in need of repair to the attention of division management.
• Coordinate the acquisition of items with limited technical complexity or that are easy to acquire.
• Review a variety of brochures, catalogs, journals, and other sources of items for possible acquisition to develop collections in areas of subject specialization.
• Consult acquisition policies to determine whether items are appropriate for purchase, copyright claim, exchange, gift, or other type of acquisition.
• Examine recommendations to identify processing and custodial requirements and out-of-scope materials.
• Work with recommending officers and subject specialists to coordinate acquisition of material.
• Provide proper purchasing information and correct bibliographic identification to dealers, subscription agents, vendors, overseas offices, exchange partners, etc. Perform other duties as assigned.
• The position description number for this position is 470599.
• The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
• The incumbent of this position will work a Flexitime 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.

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.

Education

All librarians must meet the requirements for professional education in library science or possess equivalent experience and education. However, as a standard practice applicants enter at grade GS-9 on the basis of a master's degree in library science. A.

Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate study in library science in an accredited college or university, in addition to completion of all work required for a bachelor's degree; Or B. A total of at least 5 years of a combination of college-level education, training, and experience.

To qualify on this basis, the applicant must establish conclusively that the education, training, and experience provided a knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, and techniques of professional librarianship; a knowledge of literature resources; and the knowledge and abilities essential for providing effective library and information services.

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have directly related education and/or specialized experience. GS- 9 Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master's in library science or equivalent graduate degree, e.g., LL.B. or J.D., related to the position.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Documents you must provide

• 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 at *** or email ***.
• FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

What to expect next

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.

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 at step one of the grade. The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer.

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

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see: Vetting Process 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 ***.

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 Equal Employment Opportunity at *** or email ***.

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

Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement. 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.