Library Systems Supervisor

The Library Systems Supervisor is responsible for library and IT systems management, implementation, and maintenance.  The incumbent collaborates with WRLC staff and contractors to ensure that the cloud and on-premises systems and networks are secure, cost effective, and meet the evolving priorities of the WRLC. Reporting directly to the Deputy Director, the Library Systems Supervisor also participates in the administration of our virtual servers and Library Services Platform, and will provide support to WRLC staff. Please email your resume, a cover letter outlining your relevant experience, and contact information for at least three professional references to: personnel@wrlc.org

Full position description also available here (PDF)

For best consideration submit materials by: FEBRUARY 14, 2025

 

Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Information Technology Management:
    1. Coordinate IT staff to analyze, design, maintain, and evolve the application architecture supporting library systems and services, ensuring security, extensibility, maintainability, and performance requirements are met.
    2. Collaborate with library services staff, IT personnel, and stakeholders to identify tools and platforms to support innovative services for the consortium.
    3. Manage and monitor IT security protections and detections/responses at all levels: devices (endpoints), applications, networks, data and users; utilize software updates/patches, system backup/recovery, vulnerability scans, endpoint protections, and other means to ensure system security and compliance with institutional policies.
  2. Systems Administration:
    1. Ensure that core services infrastructure (authentication, authorization, web apps, etc.) is available, operational, and aligned with the organization’s short and long term goals.
    2. Perform database administration tasks, such as implementing security controls, tuning performance, managing backups, and ensuring data recovery capabilities.
    3. Monitor and analyze production systems; troubleshoot and resolve issues to maintain optimal performance and reliability; develop and maintain system documentation, including architectural designs, system interfaces, and user support materials.
  3. Library Services Platform (LSP) Administration and Support:
    1. Play a lead role in technical support and problem resolution for the LSP.
    2. Monitor and support LSP integrations with external systems and the Ex Libris Remote Storage App.
    3. Utilize scripting languages and APIs to report on errors and other statistics with fulfillment in the automated fulfillment network, the Shared Collections Facility, and other consortial resource sharing; create, run and export analytical reports as required.
  4. Supervision and Collaboration:
    1. Supervise a small IT development & operations (DevOps) team consisting of WRLC and contractor staff.
    2. Act as the primary liaison between library services staff and IT teams to ensure alignment of systems with library goals and operational needs.
    3. Works closely with the Deputy Director to manage the WRLC IT budget, staff and contractors and implement software development projects and system enhancements

Required Qualifications

  • Degree(s) in Library & Information Science (LIS), Computer Science, Information Technology or a related field.
  • Experience working with consortia, libraries, special collections/archives, or in higher education
  • Ability to troubleshoot and resolve system-related technical problems.
  • Supervision and leadership capabilities that include collaboration between organizational departments and a diverse group of stakeholders
  • Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks in a complex and changing environment, including balancing long-term projects and being responsive to more immediate support needs.

The ideal candidate will also possess some or all of the following professional competencies:

  • Proficiency with scripting and web app development languages and platforms such as Python, PHP, JavaScript and Perl.
  • Experience with database management systems, including SQL and database optimization.
  • Working knowledge of cloud platforms like Azure, AWS or Google Cloud for deploying and managing applications.
  • Strong understanding of network protocols, security best practices, and system integration principles.
  • Experience with library services and discovery platforms, such as Alma/Primo.
  • Knowledge of metadata standards and library interoperability protocols (e.g., MARC, Dublin Core, OAI-PMH).
  • Experience with open source operating systems (Linux), software, and applications.

Physical/Occupational Conditions

  • Occasional weekend or evening hours may be required
  • Hybrid work schedule with some weekly in-office days
  • Serve on committees, working groups, and task forces as appropriate to advance library and institutional technology objectives
  • Attend professional development to stay ahead of emerging solutions to enhance and secure consortium and library operations
About

The Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC) was established as a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization in 1987 to support and enhance the library and information services of universities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It aims to do this through expanding coordination of a cooperative network between research libraries in and around Washington. Major services provided include information technology supporting library operations and resource sharing, access to online resources, shared collection management, and an offsite storage facility that supports access and preservation of materials. The WRLC staff work from a facility located around Bowie, MD.

Library Assistant

BASIC FUNCTIONS:

The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center is a repository of rare and recently published books, periodicals, serials and vertical files related to the global black experience. Founded in 1914, the MSRC is the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of books, artifacts, manuscripts, and ephemera of the Black African diaspora. The Library Assistant works as a first line of contact for the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center – greeting visitors, providing customer service support and assisting with the day-to-day operations of a busy research center. The ideal candidate must have a friendly and energetic personality, a strong work ethic, and operate with impeccable integrity.

 

 

SUPERVISORY ACCOUNTABILITY:

N/A

 

NATURE AND SCOPE:

The Library Assistant is the presumable “face” of the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center. The individual must greet visitors to the center in the historic Readers Room and assist librarians in a variety of library tasks.

 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  • Welcome visitors, students, faculty, and administrators to the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.
  • Regular timely attendance.
  • Ensure all visitors to the Moorland-Spingarn follow protocols.
  • Assists with the inventory of rare books, periodicals, and vertical files.
  • Provides stack maintenance for rare and historically significant collections.
  • Maintains library shelves in proper order.
  • Retrieves books and materials for patrons on request.
  • Assists library patrons with the use of library equipment.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Library Automation software (ex. Alma)
  • Receives mail and shipments.
  • Assist in the preparation of donated books for accessions.
  • Assists in the setup and take down of library events and programs.
  • Assists in the setup and take down of library displays.
  • Assists in the creation of print and digital marketing materials for the library.
  • Assists in tracking statistical data of the library division.
  • Reclassifies books to the stacks
  • Ability to shift stacks
  • Generate monthly reports detailing assignments done and projects worked on.
  • Participates in professional development.
  • Work closely with other divisions to ensure institutional consistency.
  • Ability to move medium weight boxes, carts, and equipment.
  • Strong interpersonal, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
  • Assist other staff members and students in whatever area help is needed.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

 

CORE COMPETENCIES:

  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment to meet planned goals
  • Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Minimum Qualifications:

  • High School Diploma. 
  • At least 2 years' experience working in a library. 

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Subject area expertise or educational background in any of the following: African American History/Studies/Literature, Africana Studies, or cultural studies. 
  • Experience working with rare books and/or special collections.

Cataloger

The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center is a repository of rare and recently published books, periodicals, serials and vertical files related to the global black experience. Founded in 1914, the MSRC is the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of books, artifacts, manuscripts, and ephemera of the Black African diaspora. Cataloging is essential to process and make library materials organized and accessible to faculty, students, alums, administrators, researchers, and staff. As the MSRC continues to receive a high volume of materials, a highly qualified individual is needed to catalog the MSRC's treasured collections. The Cataloger must have experience creating original and complex copy cataloging, including descriptive and subject cataloging and authoritative bibliography related to the Black experience, with a preference for cataloging rare books and serials. The desired candidate must be able to work with other technical services departments to maintain consistency.


 

NATURE AND SCOPE:

The Cataloger assigns subject headings to books and other library materials, verifies or establishes the standard form of names of authors and institutions, and classifies materials to establish their shelving location. While adhering to cataloging rules and styles, catalogers must also be creative when needed and able to adjust the rules when a new type of material or cataloging situation presents itself. Cataloging librarians often deal with large backlogs of materials needing processing, so it is vital for them to communicate with other library staff members to find out what materials are the highest priority and need cataloging first.

 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  • Develop and implement goals and objectives for cataloging activities
  • Respond to cataloging-related inquiries or problems
  • Perform original and complex copy cataloging of library materials, including rare books, reference books, and serials 
  • Interpret and apply relevant standards such as Library of Congress subject headings, Library of Congress classification, AACR2, RDA, and OCLC
  • Create, import, and update bibliographic records
  • Search and download MARC records from OCLC Connexion to the local ILS (Sierra) and contribute original MARC records to OCLC
  • Maintain accuracy of bibliographic records for serials by creating/loading new catalog records for title changes and updating existing records of former titles
  • When a book or other item arrives at the library, the Cataloger must manage the entry into the inventory collection.
  •  In the case of donated items, the Cataloger must determine whether or not it is suitable for the library's collection. If so, they check to see if the library is already in possession of the item and compare the condition, the edition, type of cover, and printing date, and, in the case of duplicates, determine if extra items are needed.
  • Determine the accurate description of the item (including author, title, publisher, publication date, and series to which the item may belong.
  • Adhere to CONSER standards for participation in the Library of Congress PCC/BIBCO cataloging program
  • Create a new name and corporate authority records and update existing ones based on current RDA standards. Furthermore, if authorized, make proposals for new LC subject headings appropriate to the library's scope.
  • Prepare statistical reports
  • Manage special cataloging projects such as the elimination of backlogs 
  • Determine the classification number to determine where the book will be shelved.
  • Classify or reclassify items as necessary.
  • Analyze, improve and expand pre-existing bibliographic records in the library database to ensure that these records will fully and accurately represent the library materials in the library's catalog.
  • Assure that the records will be accessible through various automated search techniques.
  • Keep abreast of continuing developments in cataloging.
  • Work closely with other library departments' catalogers, reference, and processing staff to provide enhanced access to collections and institutional consistency.
  • Work on catalog maintenance projects as assigned, such as reclassifying materials, changing call numbers, or correcting and enhancing pre-existing records in the library's catalog. 
  • Delete items/records from the database when the Chief Librarian instructs
  • Provide bibliographic clarification and problem-solving to staff members.
  • Provide overall maintenance and repair of library materials.
  • Assist other staff members and students in whatever area help is needed. 
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

CORE COMPENTENCIES:

  • Demonstrated knowledge of RDA standards and AACR2
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Library of Congress Subject Headings
  • Knowledge of CONSER standards and practices
  • Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment to meet planned goals
  • Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Minimum Qualifications:

  • ALA-accredited Master's degree (MLS, MLIS) in Library and Information Studies. 
  • Demonstrated experience using OCLC Connexion for both copy and original bibliographic record creation. 
  • Demonstrated experience using an integrated library system (ILS) such as Ex Libris Alma. 
  • At least 3-5 years experience as a cataloger. 
  • Knowledge of one or more languages other than English is desirable. 
  • Experience with serials cataloging. 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Subject area expertise or educational background in any of the following: African American History/Studies/Literature, Africana Studies, or cultural studies.

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