Head, Original Cataloging
For the complete posting and application instructions see usajobs.gov at:
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/473538700
.
The Smithsonian Libraries invites applications for the leadership position of Head, Original Cataloging, which reports to the Assistant Director, Discovery Services, in the Discovery Services
Division, at the Smithsonian Libraries (SIL). The Head guides the Division to deliver outstanding cataloging services and seeks innovative policies, programs, efficiencies, and practices that enhance and improve service to the Smithsonian community and the
public. The incumbent provides timely, accurate access to SIL’s collections through SIRIS (the SIL online catalog), OCLC, and through the Libraries’ discovery service. The Head oversees the creation and editing of catalog records in the local catalog and
in OCLC, ensuring that the records conform to appropriate local, national and international standards for description, classification, subject analysis and encoding. The Head also manages authority control processes, oversees related project work involving
the cataloging services contract, and sets and documents the policies and procedures that govern the Division’s cataloging work. The incumbent is the Smithsonian Libraries’ liaison to the Program for Cooperative Cataloging and coordinates and oversees Smithsonian
Libraries’ NACO and BIBCO contributions.
Specifically, the Head, Original Cataloging:
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Plans, coordinates and supervises all aspects of the department’s work: original and complex copy cataloging for materials in all content types, subjects, languages and formats; rare book cataloging for the Special Collections
libraries; authority control; NACO and BIBCO participation; special projects involving coordination with contract cataloging staff; and maintenance and upkeep of the Libraries’ online catalog.
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Leads the Division’s work with OCLC’s Connexion Client, Macro Express, MarcEdit, SirsiDynix Horizon, and vendor services to enhance and expand access to collections.
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Works closely with, and directly supports, branch staff that are involved in contributing records to SIRIS and OCLC. Coordinates their work with cataloging policies and procedures and provides technical advice and support.
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Generates reports from SIRIS in response to special requests from staff or to meet continuing needs for collection analysis and security.
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Represents cataloging activity and concerns within Smithsonian Libraries and to the Smithsonian community, and in the national and international library profession. Provides information and advice on issues regarding cataloging,
metadata, authority control, and catalog maintenance.
· Leads all Smithsonian Libraries cataloging operations by setting well-articulated goals and policies in congruence with the Libraries’ strategic objectives. Compiles and disseminates monthly and yearly statistical reports and analyses on cataloging workload and collections growth.
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Maintains current awareness of, and professional competence with, national and international trends and
developments. Attends professional meetings and workshops to monitor changes in standards and practices for the cataloging. Follows trends and best practices; recommends and facilitates improvements to existing systems and services.
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Participates in library committees, task forces, and special projects. Prepares reports for SIL administration and staff as needed.
Required Qualifications
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Ability to supervise a diverse staff.
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Experience with cataloging services in academic or research libraries. Broad knowledge of trends and issues affecting the provision of access to information about print, media, and electronic collections, and the organization
of the collections, including their physical processing.
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Knowledge of national and international standards concerning information organization, metadata, access, and retrieval. Professional understanding of the major issues confronting research libraries related to scholarly communication,
organization of information, and information access.
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Expertise in national metadata content standards, expertise in MARC and non-MARC encoding/structural standards), and expertise in integration of emerging standards related to machine-readability. Knowledge of controlled vocabularies
and Library of Congress Classification.
· Experience with cooperative cataloging services and initiatives - using and contributing records to OCLC under OCLC guidelines; participation in the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) and contributing bibliographic and authority records to OCLC under the policies and guidelines of the program.
· Experience with using metrics and spreadsheet tools to gather and assess effectiveness of workload and workflows.
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Knowledge of the cataloging functionality of the SirsiDynix Horizon ILS. Knowledge of the OCLC Connexion Client and the OCLC Macro Language (OML). Ability to write and troubleshoot Connexion macros.
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Knowledge of SQL scripting. Ability to create, customize, and use scripts to generate SIRIS reports that serve local needs for collection analysis and database maintenance.
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Excellent written and oral communication skills as shown by written communication, reports, proposals, publications, and/or public presentations.
Situated at the center of the world's largest museum complex, the Smithsonian Libraries forms a vital part of the research, exhibition, and educational
enterprise of the Institution. The Libraries unites 21 libraries into one system supported by central collections support services. We maintain publication exchanges with more than 3,000 institutions worldwide that supply Smithsonian scientists and curators
with current periodicals, exhibition catalogs, and professional society publications. The Smithsonian Libraries participates in the advancement of science and the arts just as we have from the inception of the Institution. Acting as both public and academic
library, as both scholarly resource and general information service, the Libraries offers a world of resources and the help of informed staff to anyone online or in person.
By working at the Smithsonian, you make an important contribution to an Institution beloved by the American public and visitors from around the
world. The Smithsonian is the guardian of some of our nation’s most valuable scientific, historic and artistic treasures and is a leader in research, innovation and discovery. We offer our visitors a unique, inspiring experience and we offer those who work
here a chance to make a difference in the cultural life of our nation. The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in “The Increase and Diffusion of Knowledge."
The job posting will be open on July 3 and will close on July 14, 2017, or when the first 100 applications are received. The review of applications
will begin immediately. The complete announcement and application instructions are on USAJOBS:
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/473538700. Review health and leave benefits at:
http://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits. Please contact
Polly Khater at khaterp@si.edu with any questions.
Polly Khater
Assistant Director, Discovery Services
202.633.1643, khaterp@si.edu