Cataloger

Library | Cataloger Department: Library
1 Full Time Term Position Position (35 hours/week; 1 year term from start
date)
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Job Description
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The Field Museum Library supports the exhibition, research, and education
programs of The Field Museum, which was founded to house the biological and
anthropological collections assembled for the World's Columbian Exposition
of 1893. The Library is home to a rich, world-class collection of more than
250,000 volumes in the following subject areas: anthropology, archaeology,
biological systematics, botany, environmental and evolutionary biology,
geology, museology, and zoology. Although borrowing privileges are reserved
for Museum staff and associates, the Library's collections are available for
public use. Since 2001, the Library has operated the Ex Libris ALEPH 500
integrated library system. At the heart of the ALEPH system is Harlow, the
Library's online catalog, which currently contains about 120,164 records.

In addition to purchasing new materials and receiving donated and exchanged
materials, the Library began a retrospective conversion of approximately
92,000 catalog records in 2006. Converted records represented monographs,
serials, and rare books acquired prior to 1978 and held in the General
Collection, the Rare Book Room, and eight subject-based divisional
libraries. Clean up of the retrospective conversion records continues and
is approximately one half completed.

The Cataloger will be divide his/her time between cataloging and maintaining
incoming library materials and continuing the cataloging and clean-up of
Retrospective Conversion materials from the Library's general collections.

Job Duties
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Under the direction of the Technical Services Librarian, the Cataloger will
perform the following duties:

- Cataloging Duties
- Perform copy and some original cataloging of monographs and serials
in WorldCat and in the Library's Ex Libris Aleph 500 system
(using national
and local standards such as AACR2R/RDA, LCSH, MARC standards, and LC
classification schedules). Performs copy and some original cataloging on
monographs and serials in most Western European languages
- Update and maintain authority records for all materials in the Aleph
system, using LC authority records via OCLC Connexion
- Update and maintain holdings records in MARC holdings format for all
materials in the Aleph system
- Retrospective Conversion Duties
- Implement documented procedures to monitor the quality of converted
bibliographic records to ensure compliance with local and
national standards
and with vendor and other contractual requirements
- Search, verify, and edit cataloging copy in the Aleph system and in
WorldCat, making appropriate changes as specified by the shelf
list card in
hand and according to local and national cataloging standards.
Identify and
resolve bibliographic record conflicts. Provide appropriate MARC content
designation according to the requirements of the online system
- Identify and resolve problems associated with location, call number,
holdings, and other copy-specific information, in particular those
associated with the loading of records from vendors, bibliographic
utilities, and other providers of bibliographic information
- Create catalog records as necessary in Harlow and in WorldCat, based
upon the shelf list card in hand, according to local and
national cataloging
standards and providing appropriate MARC content designation
- Add volume holdings and item records to catalog records for
monographic and serial titles according to specified guidelines
- Assist in testing, evaluating, and implementing systems and other
developments affecting the catalog
- Identify, pull, sort, and re-file shelf list and other catalog cards
- General Duties
- Participate in staff development activities
- Keep informed of developments in the library field by reading
professional journals, attending workshops and conferences, and
subscribing
to appropriate listserv
- Perform other related duties as required


Qualifications
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- Master's Degree in Library Science required with one to two years work
experience in cataloging
- Experience in cataloging and maintaining serial records in an online
catalog and or experience with an integrated library system preferred
- Demonstrated understanding of the structure and function of integrated
library systems, national cataloging standards, and MARC format
- Experience with Windows systems in a networked environment
- Good analytical ability and problem-solving skills
- Working knowledge of Western European languages
- Ability to work independently with accuracy and attention to detail; to
follow verbal and written instructions and procedures; to organize and
prioritize work assignments; to exercise sound judgment and initiative; to
effectively complete tasks according to schedule; and to establish and
maintain effective and productive working relationships
- If contacted for an interview, applicants must provide a sample of
original cataloging (2-3 bibliographic records in MARC format, preferably in
print format)

*The Field Museum accepts applications on-line. To apply for this
position, please complete the on-line application.
No phone calls please.
*

http://www.bfound.net/list.aspx?CoId=45

*The Field Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer.*

--
Jennifer Warwick Bazeley
Associate Librarian, Technical Services
Field Museum Library