Summary This position is located in the Collections Services Section of the Asian Division, General and International Directorate, Researcher and Collections Services. The incumbent of this position provides reader services in the Collections Services for readers using the Library's Asian collections that include monographs, serials, microfilms, microfiche, CDs, and online electronic resources. Responsibilities The incumbent for this position will work a full-time, flextime work schedule. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. The position description number for this position is 349101. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. Preservation of Library materials requires some physical exertion such as pushing and pulling materials ready for binding from one area to another. Position Duties: The incumbent's duties include: assisting readers by locating and obtaining materials from the custodial collections; receiving, sorting, arranging, shelving and shifting a variety of materials; accessioning, barcoding, inventorying materials properly in the Integrated Library System (ILS); identifying and preparing materials for use/offsite storage; performing specialized preservation and phased conservation tasks; filing, housing, preparing items for binding, and microfilming or digitizing Asian materials; and maintaining records and compiling monthly statistical reports for all areas of work. Following extensive library rules, procedures, and operations, maintains the collections. Receives training in shelving materials using multiple systems of classifications and local shelf arrangement. Based on this knowledge, systematically reads designated shelves to ensure that items are properly arranged. Arranges, sorts, and re-shelves materials returned to the stacks according to shelflist order. Continually shelfreads in assigned areas to ensure that each item is in proper shelflist order. Rearranges and shifts items under supervisory guidance and in accordance with available space. Following extensive library rules, procedures, and operations, retrieves materials in the collections. Applies judgment in retrieving materials. Receives call slips indicating call number, author, title, volume, etc., of materials requested by readers or staff. Draws upon knowledge of the LC classification system to understand its peculiarities especially in the areas covered by the Asian Division. Understand the meaning of different shelf markers and be able to locate materials which may have special requirements such as being in a foreign language or format. Checks title, author, call number, etc. against call slip. Inserts call slip in the book and other routing slips required and dispatches the requested materials. When information is incomplete or inaccurate, seeks assistance and verifies the call number, edition, and other indicia in order to locate the requested item. Serves at the reference desk in reading room, accepting call slips from readers. Reviews call slips for accuracy and completion. Learns to identify material housed in other custodial locations or off-site facilities. Delivers materials or status reports to the requester's desk in the Asian Reading Room. Following extensive library rules, procedures, and operations, processes library collections. Distinguishes the type of material and separates and properly distributes all types of library collection items for processing. Completes appropriate forms for accessioning, recording, and statistical reports. Uses large bibliographic databases. Receives and sorts of materials into bound and unbound categories. Checks in materials. Prepares materials for digital conversion or binding. Attaches call numbers. Learns the proper method of handling books, paper, photographs, CDs, microfilms and microfiches, or moving image materials in order to track and apply appropriate labels, barcode labels, security devices, bookplates, and /or property stamps across the Library. Learns to create updates and edits bibliographic records within the Integrated Library System. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: The work requires some physical exertion such as standing for extended periods of time, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, bending, pushing and pulling book carts, tubs, wire carts and lifting and carrying moderately heavy items such as oversized books. Incumbent may need to push wire carts up and down an incline for more than 100 feet. After an offer of employment has been made and before commencement of duties, the selectee MUST be physically qualified by the Library’s Health Office with a recurrence every three years. Requirements Conditions of Employment Conditions of Employment PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: The work requires some physical exertion such as standing for extended periods of time, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, bending, pushing and pulling book carts, tubs, wire carts and lifting and carrying moderately heavy items such as oversized books. Incumbent may need to push wire carts up and down an incline for more than 100 feet. After an offer of employment has been made and before commencement of duties, the selectee MUST be physically qualified by the Library’s Health Office with a recurrence every three years. 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. Qualifications 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. Ability to read, write, and understand both the English and Chinese languages in order to maintain and process library materials.** Knowledge of library processes and procedures.** Ability to use computerized search tools, web-based tools and databases.** Ability to plan, organize, and execute work within specified deadlines. Ability to provide customer service. Ability to communicate effectively. Education Additional Information Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade. The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see: Vetting Process This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM. The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement. Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement. The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit. Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.