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, Library Collections Service Group.
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, Library Collections Service Group.
Temporary - Temporary, Not-to-Exceed (NTE) six months with the possibility of an extension for up to four months. This program begins July 8, 2019 and ends December 20, 2019.
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; 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 Physically Handicapped; and the Law Library of Congress.
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, cataloging and metadata, collection preservation, reference and instruction, and 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 Physically Handicapped; and the Law Library of Congress, 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.
The service units sponsoring librarian residents are Library Services; National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; and the Law Library of Congress.
About Library Services:
Library Services 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 167 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. Library Services provides access to staff and collections onsite via its reading rooms and online throughout the Library of Congress website at www.loc.gov.
About National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped:
Established by Congress in 1931, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped 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 Law Library of Congress:
Established by an act of Congress in 1832, the Law Library serves members of Congress, the Supreme Court, other branches of the U.S. government and the global legal community. The Law Library maintains and preserves a universal collection of law for future generations. With more than 2.9 million volumes, and just under 3 million micro-format items, the Law Library contains the world’s largest collection of law books and other resources worldwide. The Library also provides onsite access to online databases, and guides to legal information worldwide through its website at loc.gov/law/.
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 2017 and by June 2019. The program selectees will be expected to report to work in July 2019.
A complete application package will consist of:
Your resume
Your responses to a vacancy questionnaire, including a mandatory Candidate Statement of Interest
Copy of your most-recent transcript documenting enrollment in or completion of an ALA-accredited library/information science Master's degree program (a copy of a transcript downloaded from the university website is sufficient at the application stage; selectees will be required to provide an official transcript documenting graduation).
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.
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 2017 and by June 2019.
Additional information
The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. All who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.
The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy 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 notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis. For more information contact the selective placement program coordinator at 202-707-6362.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
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 incumbent of this position may elect to work a flextime work schedule.
This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
The tour of duty for this position is full-time. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.
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.
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 an 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 (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.
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.
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.
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.
Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure you are considered for the position.
You are required to apply online for this announcement. We are unable to accept mailed or emailed documents. You must complete the entire application process, including submission of all documents BEFORE this announcement closes. To do so, complete the following steps.
Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. Although you must enter your Social Security Number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Library of Congress.
Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the end of the Qualification and Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer in Step 4. You may wish to customize your USAJOBS resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions.
Step 3: Click on the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account and submit your resume. You will be redirected to the Hiring Management website to complete the application process. If this is your first time in Hiring Management, you will be asked to answer questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. You will be able to update this information and save it to our account for future announcements.
Step 4: Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly. Step 5: Hiring Management offers three options that will electronically attach your documentation to your online application once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement.
(1) You may select a document that you have already uploaded to USAJOBS for a previous announcement.
(2) You may electronically upload a document directly from your computer to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation of the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS.
(3) You may follow the "Faxing Supporting Documentation" instructions within the online application, which will provide the necessary cover sheets for each of your documents so that they will be correctly submitted. The fax number will be available on the cover sheet.
Please note that each cover sheet and corresponding document must be faxed separately. Be certain to review your complete fax transmittal confirmation to ensure that all pages have been received.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have multiple documents of the same kind, e.g. two undergraduate transcripts from different schools or two SF-50s, be sure that they are all in the same file on your computer or in your USAJOBS profile before uploading them. If you try uploading them individually, only the last one sent will be visible in our system. Likewise, if sending them by fax, be sure and include both of them behind the respective fax cover sheet and send them as one fax. If you send them individually with the same cover sheet, the last one sent will overwrite the first one. Finally, if you upload a document, e.g. your undergraduate transcript, do not also fax that same document (or fax another undergraduate transcript), because whichever one you send last will be the only one that is visible in our system. If you have any questions about this information, please contact the person on this announcement BEFORE the closing date.
Step 6: Click on "Finish" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your Hiring Management or MY USAJOBS account. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, etc.) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. It is your responsibility to ensure that all documents are received on time and that the materials are readable. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from consideration for this announcement.
If you are experiencing any technical difficulty with the online process, you MUST CONTACT THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. For all technical issues please contact jobhelp@loc.gov, no later than 4:30pm EST of the Closing Date. REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Ave. SE
LM-107
Washington, District of Columbia 20540
United States
Next steps
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.
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.
Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure you are considered for the position.
You are required to apply online for this announcement. We are unable to accept mailed or emailed documents. You must complete the entire application process, including submission of all documents BEFORE this announcement closes. To do so, complete the following steps.
Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. Although you must enter your Social Security Number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Library of Congress.
Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the end of the Qualification and Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer in Step 4. You may wish to customize your USAJOBS resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions.
Step 3: Click on the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account and submit your resume. You will be redirected to the Hiring Management website to complete the application process. If this is your first time in Hiring Management, you will be asked to answer questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. You will be able to update this information and save it to our account for future announcements.
Step 4: Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly. Step 5: Hiring Management offers three options that will electronically attach your documentation to your online application once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement.
(1) You may select a document that you have already uploaded to USAJOBS for a previous announcement.
(2) You may electronically upload a document directly from your computer to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation of the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS.
(3) You may follow the "Faxing Supporting Documentation" instructions within the online application, which will provide the necessary cover sheets for each of your documents so that they will be correctly submitted. The fax number will be available on the cover sheet.
Please note that each cover sheet and corresponding document must be faxed separately. Be certain to review your complete fax transmittal confirmation to ensure that all pages have been received.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have multiple documents of the same kind, e.g. two undergraduate transcripts from different schools or two SF-50s, be sure that they are all in the same file on your computer or in your USAJOBS profile before uploading them. If you try uploading them individually, only the last one sent will be visible in our system. Likewise, if sending them by fax, be sure and include both of them behind the respective fax cover sheet and send them as one fax. If you send them individually with the same cover sheet, the last one sent will overwrite the first one. Finally, if you upload a document, e.g. your undergraduate transcript, do not also fax that same document (or fax another undergraduate transcript), because whichever one you send last will be the only one that is visible in our system. If you have any questions about this information, please contact the person on this announcement BEFORE the closing date.
Step 6: Click on "Finish" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your Hiring Management or MY USAJOBS account. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, etc.) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. It is your responsibility to ensure that all documents are received on time and that the materials are readable. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from consideration for this announcement.
If you are experiencing any technical difficulty with the online process, you MUST CONTACT THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. For all technical issues please contact jobhelp@loc.gov, no later than 4:30pm EST of the Closing Date. REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Ave. SE
LM-107
Washington, District of Columbia 20540
United States
Next steps
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.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
