Library Technician Jobs

Duties
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT to fill current and future vacancies as needed. Applications will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. e.s.t. on October 20, 2023. However, APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY November 21, 2022, WILL RECEIVE FIRST CONSIDERATION. After that, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
The incumbent reports to the Retrieval or Collection Management Supervisor and is responsible for a variety of activities in support of stack management, collections retrieval, and maintenance. This includes obtaining books for readers utilizing the Library of Congress (LC) Integrated Library System (ILS) and other online systems through which requests are submitted and answered. Incumbent must possess an in-depth knowledge of collections and storage areas, thorough familiarity with both manual and automated databases, and thorough understanding of cataloging and classification practices. Duties may require assignment to any of the book stacks in the Jefferson or Adams Buildings or to work with the Collections Officer in collections material maintenance. Critical to this position is the ability to work with a high degree of accuracy, to produce a large quantity of work, often under severe time constraints, and to interact effectively with co-workers.
Work is primarily done in collections storage areas which are often at a lower temperature than a standard office environment. Work is physical in nature requiring frequent standing, walking, pushing, stooping, and stretching. Work requires ability to perform moderate lifting - up to 44 lbs. A pre-employment physical is required of the incumbent and an on-duty physical every 3 years.
The supervisor or a senior employee provides instructions on recurring collection retrieval assignments by indicating what is to be done, applicable policies and procedures to follow, deadlines, and priority of assignments.
Following extensive supervisory or staffer directions, instructions, library rules, procedures and operations, retrieves materials from the collection. Applies judgement in retrieving materials that are simple and straight-forward to locate. Receives retrieval requests through a number of methods including paper call slips, Automated Call Slip (ACS) and/or other automated request systems. With some projects, incumbent follows general guidelines on what to pull, and must adhere to these guidelines which might include criteria such as item condition, date of publication, or format.
Following a number of established procedures and specific guidelines available in the form of extensive library procedures rules, and operations, incumbent performs an array of activities involved in maintaining the collections, including ensuring that collections are in the proper order, safe from hazards and readily retrievable when requested.
Uses judgment to identify and select the most appropriate procedure to use, chooses from among several established alternatives, or decide which precedent actions to follow as a model. Refers situations requiring significant judgment to the supervisor or others for guidance or resolution.
Arranges, sorts and re-shelves materials returned to the stacks according to the prescribed order for that portion of the collection. Maintains assigned areas to ensure that each item is in proper order according to collections management and maintenance guidelines for each collection. Frequent shelf reading of the collections, i.e., ensuring that the items on the shelves are in proper order, is a critical component of collections maintenance. Incumbent uses multiple shelving and classification arrangements including LC Classification, fixed location arrangement and others utilized by the Library to ensure that collections are properly shelved, arranged and accessible for use.
Identifies and removes items suspected of containing errors in labeling and/or cataloging and forwards items to the Preservation Directorate, the Acquisitions and Bibliographic Access Directorate, or other Library units for further determination or disposition. Withdraws materials in need of rebinding, relabeling and/or repair, forwarding these primarily to the Binding and Collections Care Division in the Preservation Directorate for appropriate correction. Effects minor shifts necessitated by growth or rearrangement of collections. Ensures that the collections storage areas are neat and orderly.
The incumbent must have an in-depth understanding of a number of databases. Most importantly, the incumbent must be thoroughly familiar with the features and proper use of the ACS and the LC ILS in order to interpret and follow information provided for each retrieval activity, to fill requests, to know when it is acceptable to substitute an alternate edition, and to check the online ACS request screen for another copy when copies may be in different locations.
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.
Qualifications
Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.
Knowledge of library collections maintenance practices and procedures.**
Knowledge of proper library collection retrieval processes and procedures.**
Knowledge of best practices for the preservation of collection materials.
Ability Interact Collaboratively With Others.
Ability to use computerized search tools, web-based tools and online databases. **
Additional Information
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
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. 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.
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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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.