Project Cataloger, Boston Public Library, Boston, MA

Posted March 23, 2023

Description:

The Boston Public Library is seeking applicants for a Project Cataloger for the Founding
Research Collection Project at the Central Library in Copley Square for an 11-month term (April
2023 – January 2024). The Founding Research Collection Project is a two-year project to renew
access to some of the Boston Public Library’s longest held material. The Founding Research
Collection served as the library’s original research collection from 1848-1936, reflecting
subjects of interest to educated Bostonians from history to science to religion. The collection
includes materials in a variety of languages, with English, German, and French being most
represented. As part of the project, around 150,000 bound volumes from the collection are
being cleaned, inventoried, and added to the library’s electronic catalog.

The Project Cataloger for the Founding Research Collection Project will perform original and
complex copy cataloging including bibliographic description, subject analysis, classification and
authority control for materials in the Founding Research Collection. The cataloger will work
closely with both project and Boston Public Library Staff to improve access to materials from
the Founding Research Collection according to project, library, and national standards for
bibliographic description and access.

Start date: April 3, 2023
End date: January 19, 2024
Schedule: 14 – 35 hours per week
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Pay Rate: $30.00 – $40.00 per hour depending on experience
CORI: REQUIRED

Duties:

• Performs original and complex copy cataloging for Founding Research Collection
  materials in accordance with established project, local and national policies, procedures,
  and standards.
• Establishes, assigns, and verifies name, subject, form/genre, and uniform title entries
  according to national standards and local practices for items in the Founding Research
  Collection.
• Creates holdings and item records as needed for project materials.
• Corrects and enhances existing catalog and item records to conform to established
  project, local and national policies, procedures, and standards.
• Advises and assists project staff in resolving copy cataloging and item maintenance
  problems for Founding Research Collection items.
• Maintains current knowledge of existing and emerging cataloging standards, policies,
  and practices.
• Assists in evaluating, implementing, and suggesting changes in policies and procedures
  concerning descriptive and subject cataloging for the Founding Research Collection
  Project, in accordance with library procedures.
• Performs other project related duties as assigned.
• Participates in project meetings and review.

Qualifications:

Education:

A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university, and a master’s degree
in library science from an ALA accredited library school. Training and/or experience may be
substituted for part or all of the educational requirements.
Experience:

• At least 1 year cataloging experience required. Experience with 19th and early 20th
  century European and American academic materials highly preferred.
• Experience and working knowledge of OCLC Connexion and ILS systems required.
  Experience with Polaris highly desirable.
• Knowledge of, and recent hands-on experience with, current and emerging national
  standards including those concerning encoding, descriptive cataloging, subject analysis,
  classification, and authority control. Including MARC21, AACR2r, RDA, DCRM(B), Library
  of Congress Name Authority File (NAF), Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) and
  Controlled Vocabularies for Use in Rare Book and Special Collections Cataloging.
• Working knowledge of at least one foreign language highly desirable, especially German
  or French. Ability to work with unfamiliar foreign languages is preferred.
• Demonstrates flexibility and the ability to adapt to change.

Physical Requirements:
This position involves frequent encounters with dust and dirt and confined spaces. Must be
able to lift and move books to and from shelves and push fully loaded book trucks. Ability to
bend, stoop, stretch, and climb step stools. Ability to sit in front of a computer for long periods
required.

The position is not remote and work takes place at the Central Library in Copley Square.\

To Apply:

Submit resume via our job board – https://www.bibliotemps.com/jobs
Contact with questions – [email protected]