Cataloger

Job Title: Cataloger

Department: Cataloging

Reports To: Associate Librarian

FLSA: Full-time, Non-exempt, 35 hours/week

Salary Range: $42k to $48k, annually

Location: Worcester, MA

Start date: As soon as possible

Deadline to apply: Applications accepted on rolling basis and will be listed until filled

 

Organization Description: The American Antiquarian Society (AAS) cultivates a deeper understanding of the American past, grounded in its ever-growing collection of printed and manuscript sources. The Society fosters a broad community of inquiry through inclusive programs and generous support of scholarship. A national research library and learned society founded in 1812 by Revolutionary War patriot and printer Isaiah Thomas, AAS is located in Worcester, Massachusetts. The AAS library today houses the largest and most accessible collection of books, pamphlets, broadsides, newspapers, periodicals, children’s literature, music, and graphic arts material printed before the twentieth century in what is now the United States, as well as manuscripts and a substantial collection of secondary texts, bibliographies, and digital resources and reference works. AAS was presented with the 2013 National Humanities Medal by President Obama in a ceremony at the White House. The Society is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of the institution.

 

Website: https://www.americanantiquarian.org/

 

We are seeking an efficient, passionate individual to join our cataloging team to provide original and complex copy cataloging for the Society’s holdings, contributing to the on-going catalog data maintenance and clean-up. This individual will work primarily, but not exclusively, with the Society’s collections of 18th-21st century printed monographs, including both new acquisitions and long-held materials, describing materials according to national and local cataloging policy and guidelines.

Duties/Responsibilities

·         Perform original and copy cataloging using applicable standards (DCRM(B), AACR2, RDA, and LC-PCC Policy Statements), controlled vocabularies (LCSH, RBMSCV, and AAT), and authority files (LCNAF).

·         Edit and enhance catalog records, including retrospective conversion records.

·         Participate in departmental activities supportive of the AAS strategic plan and inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility commitments.

·         Contribute to discrete cataloging department projects and ongoing collection maintenance, including inventories.

·         Maintain awareness of changes to national and international cataloging standards and resources.

·         Other duties as assigned.

 

Travel

·         Occasional travel to attend conferences and/or workshops.

 

Required Skills/Abilities

·         Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

·         Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.

·         Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

·         Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.

·         Familiarity with Descriptive Cataloging of Rare Materials, AACR2, RDA, and MARC is required.

·         Knowledge of LCSH and relevant controlled vocabularies, such as RBMSCV, is preferred.

·         Knowledge of LCNAF is preferred.

·         Bibliographic knowledge of one non-English language is beneficial.

·         Ability to conduct online research.

·         Proficient with Windows, Microsoft Office Suite and/or related software.

·         Experience with ExLibris Voyager or other integrated library system (ILS) / library management system (LMS).

·         Experience with OCLC Connexion Client.

 

Education/Experience

·         2+ years related experience.

·         Master’s degree in library/information systems

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

 

Language Skills

Ability to read, understand, speak, and write in Standard English; ability to communicate effectively in English with individuals in person, over the telephone, and via the printed word.

 

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Duties require periods of standing, walking, sitting. Duties require occasional periods of climbing or balancing, pulling/pushing items including book trucks with materials, lifting/carrying items weighing up to approximately 30 lbs., reaching with arms and hands.  Vision and hearing at or correctable to “normal ranges.” Other physical tasks include use of hands for basic grasping/manipulation, use of hands for fine manipulation, occasional reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, keyboarding. Physical duties are subject to change.

 

Applicants, as well as position incumbents, who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

 

Most duties are performed indoors in an office environment with artificial light and cool, thermostatically controlled temperatures. The noise level is low. May be exposed to dust, mold, and/or other organic material or other irritants. Hazards are considered minor and controllable.

 

Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to equal employment and promotion opportunity regardless of ability, age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. A successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.

 

Compensation and Benefits

The range for this position is $42,000 to $48,000 per year.

 

Examples of benefits for this role include annual paid leave [2 weeks’ vacation time, personal time, sick time, 10-13 holidays (depending on year), 1 day off in your birthday month, and paid time off for full office closure for approximately one week in December]. We also offer an employer-sponsored health insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement plans [including an employer match after 1 year of service], professional development funds, and access to dental and vision insurance, among other benefits.