American History Curator (Early America)

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Reference and Reader Services Section, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Special Collections Directorate, Researcher and Collections Services.

The position description number for this position is 005423. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

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 American history, culture and literature.** Ability to communicate in writing.** Ability to provide outreach, consultation and liaison services.** Knowledge of collection development principles and techniques.

Knowledge of curatorial, conservation and preservation principles for rare and valuable library materials. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Major Duties:

Provides personalized reference services to varied constituents, including Members of Congress and their staffs, utilizing his/her subject expertise, as well as broad knowledge of databases, information sources, and reference services both within and outside the Library.

Determines and assists reference needs in person as well as through other means of communication, including providing information on the most likely sources pertinent to the inquiries of scholars; on the extent, nature, subject matter, content, research potentialities, and availability of material in the division; on the most efficient methods of searching for information; on related holdings in other libraries; and on any special conditions of use.

Bears a share of responsibility for the security of the division's rare and special materials including the supervision and observation of readers, and supervising the use of materials under his/her custody outside the Reading Room.

Determines whether rare books can be photographed without damage and recommends various options.

In the fields of his/her expertise frequently serves as the place of last resort for scholars, librarians in other institutions, the Congress, and general library patrons, who have, often without success, sought information at other institutions and from a variety of published and unpublished sources.

In connection with these services, the incumbent keeps abreast of research in progress and of published material and demonstrates intimate knowledge of the collections for which he/she is responsible.

Oversees the growth of the division's collections in his/her areas of specialization, developing guidelines for their continued growth.

Examines incoming catalogs and special offers to make recommendations for additions to the collections.

Prepares memoranda of recommendation, letters of solicitation, and other documents related to acquisitions. Develops new and ongoing professional relationships with prospective donors.

Selects materials for the division's collections from incoming receipts by purchase, gift, exchange, transfer, etc., as well as making recommendations for classes of material inappropriate for retention.

In his/her work with the general collection, identifies materials suitable for transfer to the division's custody.

Works closely with the Conservation Office to develop plans for the care and treatment of the books in his/her subject area.

Consults with conservators on preservation matters and makes recommendations about form of treatment, taking into account the resources available to the Division, the importance of individual items, and various available options.

Ensures collection security and preservation of all Library collections.

Serves as a consultant to scholars using the Library's collections and to persons planning special observances in subject fields and on the collections in which he/she has specialized knowledge.

In order to make the division's collections better known to scholars, to facilitate their development, and to encourage their use, prepares exhibits on the division's subject collections for which he/she has specialized knowledge, developing an organizing theme for an exhibit, selecting materials, preparing a description for items shown, and writing publicity releases in accordance with Library guidelines, and materials accompanying the exhibition in print form or on the web.

Collaborates with other Library staff and outside partners in developing and providing access to library resources through the web and other means.

Prepares talks for personal delivery before scholarly and general audiences, both in the Library and at other locations.

Through publications, correspondence, and personal contacts informs the interested public of the Library's resources and services in the fields of his/her expertise, in so doing seeking cooperation in enriching the Library's collections and assuring that the resources of the division are exploited by scholars to the fullest extent possible In these presentations and programs works closely with the Publishing Office and other Library units to meet mission and program goals.

Participates in professional associations and scholarly enterprises in the fields of his/her specialization and maintains close liaison with learned societies, foundations, research centers, and interested groups and individuals engaged in planning and promoting individual and cooperative projects concerning his/her areas of assignment.