Rare Materials Catalog Librarian, Boston Athenaeum, Boston, MA

Posted October 14, 2016

Job Description

The Boston Athenaeum seeks a Rare Materials Catalog Librarian primarily to catalog graphic material from its Prints & Photographs Department. This visual studies collection contains prints, photographs, watercolors, architectural drawings, and ephemera documenting New England culture from the eighteenth to the twenty-first centuries. The Rare Materials Catalog Librarian reports to the Chief Technical Services Librarian, who works in consultation with the Curator of Prints & Photographs on matters pertaining to work prioritization and curatorial expertise.

Responsibilities:

• Create complex, original MARC21 bibliographic records or edit existing bibliographic records for rare visual materials on paper according to DCRM(G) standards and local practices. The cataloger will produce records for works of art on paper in a variety of media, including but not limited to lithographs, relief and intaglio prints, watercolors, architectural drawings, posters, cased, paper, and digital photographs, sketchbooks, etc.
• In coordination with the Chief Technical Services Librarian and the Curator of Prints & Photographs assist in developing and documenting policies relating to the cataloging of the Boston Athenaeum’s works of art on paper.
• Work collaboratively with other catalogers in the Technical Services Department and with input from the Curator of Prints & Photographs, establish and/or revise authorized access points in the LC/NACO Name Authority File according to NACO standards.
• Remain current with existing and emerging cataloging policies, practices, standards, schema and procedures including, but not limited to, MARC 21, DCRM(G), DCRM(B), AACR2r, RDA, LC-PCC PS, OCLC bibliographic standards, Dublin Core, linked data, and BIBFRAME.
• Advise Digital Programs with metadata for digital surrogates.
• Participate in supervising researchers the Boston Athenaeum’s special collections reading room, while maintaining an atmosphere conducive to research and executing library policy to preserve and protect materials.
• Perform other related and comparable duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications: 

• The successful candidate will have the ability to carry out detailed procedures with accuracy under minimal supervision; to plan and prioritize job responsibilities and tasks; to communicate effectively and present ideas clearly in written or oral form; to work collegially with other staff members; and to interact respectfully with patrons.
• Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited library school, required.  
• Two to four years recent experience performing original, complex cataloging using on OCLC required.
• Working knowledge of MARC21 coding, RDA, AACR2, LC-PCC PS, OCLC bibliographic standards, and Catalogers Desktop required.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Formal training in rare visual materials and experience in applying DCRM(G), GHIC, Thesaurus for Graphic Materials (GMGPC), DCRM(B) and RBMS Controlled Vocabularies strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of various printing and photographic techniques, and familiarity with standard visual material reference sources and databases strongly preferred.
• Experience using ExLibris Voyager integrated library system strongly preferred.
• Background in art history and/or American studies desirable. 
• Proficiency in establishing or editing LC/NACO authority file records according to NACO/RDA standards desirable.

To apply: Please send resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to [email protected]. 

The Boston Athenæum is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals of diverse backgrounds to apply and are committed to hiring individuals who value a diverse and inclusive work environment.