Librarian, Library of Congress, (Washington, D.C.)
Posted August 18, 2026
Job Description/ Position Duties:
This position serves as a Librarian in the Northeast Asia Section of the Asian and Middle Eastern Division at the Library of Congress.
As a Librarian, you will:
Catalog a variety of 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. Search entries in automated and manual catalogs. Assign headings to catalog entries. Select and assigns classification numbers. Establish personal and corporate names and uniform titles for inclusion in the name authority file. Establish and recommend subject headings for inclusion in the subject authority file and classification schedule. Create and revise bibliographic records, authority records, and classification schedules. Perform content designation of bibliographic and authority records. Perform research in the cataloger’s reference collection, online databases, the world wide web, and the collections of the Library. Recommend resolutions to problems and inconsistencies in the cataloging process.
Provide services and deals with materials that are non-technical in nature, of limited technical complexity, or easily acquired. Coordinate proper purchasing information, correct bibliographic identification, and correct coding in the information system. Contact dealers, subscription agents, vendors, overseas offices, government agencies, and/or exchange partners to coordinate the order process. Consult acquisitions reference material to determine whether recommended item is appropriate for purchase, copyright claim, exchange, gift, loan, or other type of acquisition. Examine recommendations for acquisition to identify processing and custodial requirements and to identify acquisition of out-of-scope materials. Maintain liaison with recommending officials and subject specialists to understand their needs. Consult acquisitions reference material to determine whether recommended item is appropriate for purchase. Review and approve invoices for payment for all formats of material. Determine availability of funds.
Obtain, analyze, and organize information using standard reference tools and established techniques and practices. Analyze and organize standard subject data to determine its relationship to the existing collections, for preferred access points and the need for additional access points. Analyze material to determine subject content. Apply standard rules, guidelines, and reference tools and established techniques and practices. Participate in formulating plans for changes and improvements to cataloging-related issues.
Use standard methods, techniques, concepts, and principles to perform assignments related to collection development support, with review by supervisor, senior staff and/or recommending officers. Assist in examination of incoming shipments to select items appropriate for the collections, in accordance with established guidelines. Assist in examination of recommendations for acquisition to identify processing and custodial requirements, and to ensure conformity with established guidelines. Participate in formulating plans for changes and improvements to collection development policies.
Work to maintain personal contacts and cooperative work relationships in order to provide or exchange information. Consult with the supervisor and cataloging policy staff to recommend changes and additions in descriptive and subject cataloging rules. Offer suggestions and advice to the supervisor on operational and technical problems. Collaborate with the supervisor and other staff in planning and implementing team activities including workflow procedures, team priorities, cataloging projects of an experimental nature, goal setting, and strategies for meeting team production goals. Assist others inside and outside the Library with language, subject and cataloging problems.
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.
- Ability to communicate in Japanese, English and preferably another Asian language.**
- Knowledge of library metadata rules, practices, and procedures.**
- Ability to acquire and process library materials.**
- Ability to use integrated library software applications, integrated library platforms, and other information technology.**
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships and provide consultation and liaison services.
- Ability to communicate in writing.
- Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
Hours & Compensation:
Schedule: Full-Time
Salary: $70,623 – $91,815 per year
How To Apply:
To learn more about this position and to apply, please visit the official job posting, linked here.