Library Assistant

Job Summary

The Getty Research Institute seeks a full-time Library Assistant III for a 2-year limited-term position. This position is focused on processing the library of art historian Robert Farris Thompson, one of the foremost scholars of the artistic and linguistic connections and continuities within the African Diaspora and Afro-Atlantic world. The library consists of between 5,000 and 7,000 volumes, covering a wide range of topics supporting Thompson’s interests and research. The Library Assistant will work under limited supervision and in partnership with other catalogers and archivists to sort and catalog the collection according to library standards and best practices. Specializing primarily in monograph cataloging functions, this position will create, maintain, and update bibliographic, holdings, item, and authority records. Copy cataloging work will range from simple to complex and will require bibliographic searching or use of reference sources to complete or verify data. Duties will include other processing tasks such as building archival enclosures, rehousing ephemera, preparing labels, data entry, preparing and receiving shipments from storage, and paging materials from storage.

Major Job Responsibilities

• Applies knowledge of cataloging rules (AACR2R and/or RDA) and MARC records to search for and identify matching records in OCLC.
• Applies local guidelines to determine how to treat each item, and subsequently route the item or perform complex copy cataloging.
• Applies knowledge of Library of Congress Name Authority File, Library of Congress Subject Headings, and Library of Congress Classification System to perform authority control and shelf-list checks on all items cataloged.
• Performs physical processing of materials (e.g., labeling, marking, stamping, and housing).
• May help in unpacking, organizing, and distributing materials.
• Assists in development and maintenance of job-related data and procedures.
• Uses various library software applications to execute moderately complex transactions.
• Participates in section meetings and other meetings as appropriate.
• Engages in continuing professional development by attending and participating in professional conferences and training opportunities related to position responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in art history or related discipline preferred
• Minimum 3 years related experience
• Some supervisory and training experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience copy cataloging preferred
• Experience using OCLC Connexion and/or ExLibris Alma preferred
• Experience performing authority control preferred
• Experience with LCCS and/or LCSH preferred
• Strong communication, organization, study, and problem-solving skills
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Experience with industry standard software suites as appropriate to assigned duties
• Experience handling fragile or brittle materials preferred
• Physical activity for extended periods at various times throughout the day, including lifting library materials weighing up to 40 pounds and pushing heavy book carts
• Ability to climb industrial ladders required in order to page and shelve from the collections stored on 12-foot high bookshelves
• Good manual dexterity required
• Ability to work in partnership with others