Summary
The Library of Congress shares its vast collections of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, audiovisual materials, and priceless artifacts to cultivate curiosity and spark imagination. We engage, inspire, and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity. We seek highly talented professionals to join a vibrant and collaborative community. Your work here will have lasting impact on the Library and its users well into the future.
Duties
This position is located in the Acquisition and Processing Section, Music Division, Special Collections Directorate, Researcher and Collections Services. The Performing Arts Specialist has primary curatorial and acquisition responsibilities for antiquarian items and the special collections of the Music Division, one of the foremost special collections repositories of the world. Numbering over 30 million items and spanning more than 1,000 years of Western performing arts history and practice, the Music Division's archival holdings include performing arts and literary manuscripts, iconography, musical instruments, published and unpublished copyright deposits, and over 800 special collections in the performing arts. For the purposes of this position description, “performing arts” shall encompass music, theater, and/or dance. The Specialist combines the skill sets of musicologists or historians in dance or theater, curators, librarians, archivists, and acquisitions officers. The Specialist works under the general supervision of the Head of the Acquisitions & Processing Section, who provides guidance concerning the general scope, direction, and objective of assignments. The Specialist participates with section leadership in the making of policy decisions, especially, but not exclusively, those related to collection development. The Specialist performs at a high degree of responsibility in interpretation of collections, outreach, and advanced reference capacities. As the Performing Arts Specialist, you will: Survey and evaluate the Library's collections relating to performing arts. Maintain professional contacts, for instance with performing artists and/or their representatives, performing arts and antiquarian dealers, auction houses, publishers, individuals, and other sources in the context of acquisitions work. Travel outside the Library to inspect collections and consults with prospective donors or other sources, both private and institutional, concerning possible Library acquisitions. Write reports on Library acquisitions. Curate scholarly exhibits of Music Division materials, including selecting items and preparing text for captions and publications. Prepare special lectures and tours for classes, groups, concert audiences, and distinguished guests. Serve as liaison between the Library and various external organizations and institutions, as well as the public, regarding Music Division projects and activities. Conduct in-depth research using resources inside and outside the Music Division, including electronic resources. Advise on the processing of complex bodies of performing arts and materials of related fields. Develop original methods of solving organizational problems posed by special collections, antiquarian items, and other collection materials. Perform other duties as assigned. The position description number for this position is 470300. The incumbent of this position will work a Flexitime work schedule. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.
Education
All librarians must meet the requirements for professional education in library science or possess equivalent experience and education. A. Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate study in library science in an accredited college or university, in addition to completion of all work required for a bachelor's degree; or B. A total of at least 5 years of a combination of college-level education, training, and experience. To qualify on this basis, the applicant must establish conclusively that the education, training, and experience provided knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, and techniques of professional librarianship; a knowledge of literature resources; and the knowledge and abilities essential for providing effective library and information services. You MUST submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application. Foreign Education – Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application.
How you will be evaluated
The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection. You may preview questions for this vacancy.