Acquisitions Librarian manages activities related to the strategic direction and development of Wolbach's materials collection to promote collections and collections-related activities. The community served by the Wolbach Library includes Smithsonian staff, Harvard faculty and staff, students, post-docs, the international astronomy community, and the public.
Summary
The incumbent
Acquisitions Librarian manages activities related to the strategic direction and development of Wolbach's materials collection to promote collections and collections-related activities. The community served by the Wolbach Library includes Smithsonian staff, Harvard faculty and staff, students, post-docs, the international astronomy community, and the public.
Establish and maintain relationships with CfA community for input on collections selections
Helps select and evaluate vendors, and establish and maintain productive relationships with publishers and vendors in order to maintain an up-to-date awareness of available materials and plan for acquisition model adjustments (e.g. plan for a publisher to change vendors, plan to incorporate backfile sales into purchase recommendations)
Ensures that all collection items are processed, and prepared promptly for community borrowing
Analyzes collection turnover rates and other use-based measures to determine acquisition strategy to maintain the high quality of Wolbach's collection
Analyzes publishing trends and borrowing patterns to ensure at collections provide educational and enriching experiences the astronomy community
Ensures special information access needs of all members of the community (including those with disabilities or English as second language) are incorporated into acquisitions strategies
Identifies opportunities to promote the collection in the community
Performs copy and original cataloging as needed
Will manage workflows for maintaining the library's catalog records
Performs other duties and special projects as assigned
Will act as back up and be able to support interlibrary loan document delivery services
May be required to serve a one year probationary period.
Direct deposit/electronic funds transfer is required for salary payment.
For Requirements please refer to Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Administrative and Management Positions: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1400/librarian-series-1410/
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
All librarians must meet the requirements for professional education in library science or possess equivalent experience and education as shown for GS-7; however, as a standard practice applicants enter at grade GS-9 on the basis of a master's degree in library science.
Since many libraries are highly specialized, some librarian positions require a knowledge of a specialized subject or field of endeavor.. Also, since materials in libraries are often in foreign languages, some librarians must have a proficient knowledge of one or more foreign languages. For such positions, applicants must meet requirements that are directly related to the subject matter or language of the specialization. These requirements are in addition to the basic professional library science requirements that apply to all positions. However, these requirements may be included in or supplemental to those specified for all positions. The following specializations are authorized: biological, medical, social or physical sciences, education, fine arts, business and industry, humanities, law, music, engineering, and the Germanic, Slavic, Oriental, Semitic, or Romance languages.
In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have directly related education and/or specialized experience.
Grade 9 Specialized experience: One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level (Grade 7) in the normal line of progression for the position. -Experience at this level normally would equip the applicant with knowledge of establishing and maintaining relationships with communities for input on collection selections; assisting and selecting vendors; ensuring collection items are processed and prepared promptly for community borrowing; analyzing collection turnover; participating in daily circulation desk staffing.
OR
2 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.
OR:
Equivalent combinations of education and experience.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
Knowledge of the theories, principles and objective of librarianship as applied to research libraries catering to the physical sciences.
Knowledge and experience in descriptive and subject cataloging of archival and/or library materials including cataloging rules, and thesauri.
Knowledge of digital library technology, databases, the internet, and the development of Web resources to assist with planning, design, implementation, installation, and user education required for optimal use of these systems and resources; the incumbent must also be able to recommend enhancements to the systems offered by the library as technology evolves.
Knowledge of astronomy, astrophysics, physics, or space sciences sufficient to communicate with CfA scientists whose first language may not be English.
Knowledge of sustainable collections management practices and the safe handling of various collection materials.
Knowledge of metadata standards and practices, and markup languages as related to digital resources.
Skill in descriptive cataloging of archival and/or library materials.
Skill in using and creating authority records for distinguishing between items and identical headings or terms.
Skill in proofreading and correcting bibliographic data for errors.
Skill in critical thinking by using logic and reason to identify strengths and weakness of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Ability to adapt to changing cataloging rules, guidelines and technologies.
Excellent organization skills and aptitude for complex and analytical and detailed work.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note:
You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process;
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
SMITHSONIAN
Human Resources
60 Garden Street Cambridge, MA 02138
Mail Stop 17
Cambridge, MA 02138
US
Next steps
You will receive an e-mail to acknowledge that your application has been received. Please be aware that the confirmation e-mail could reside in your "junk" or "bulk" mail folder depending on your filters. The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed. Additional Information:
The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses.
The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
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.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note:
You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process;
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
SMITHSONIAN
Human Resources
60 Garden Street Cambridge, MA 02138
Mail Stop 17
Cambridge, MA 02138
US
Next steps
You will receive an e-mail to acknowledge that your application has been received. Please be aware that the confirmation e-mail could reside in your "junk" or "bulk" mail folder depending on your filters. The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed. Additional Information:
The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses.
The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.