PLEASE NOTE:
Some of the these links were found as part of the archived links found on the 
Wayback Machine (http://www.archive.org ) 
*remember if you need to find information that has been removed or changed its URL - 
you may be able to find the content using the Wayback Machine)
As I am not always able to continually check all the links on this website, if you find a 
link unlinkable or not found on a server - try copying and pasting the original url in the 
Wayback machine and you may be able to find an archived version of the orignal content.

Sites & Resources

• Job Descriptions & Classifications 
• To>> Writing job descriptions & other duties as assigned
• Library Job Classification Sites 
• Library Job Performance Evaluation Resources 
• Examples of Library Staff Competencies
• To>> Resources for Library Student Workers
• To >> Finding  Library Jobs & More 
• Back to >>Resources4On the Job 

There are still traditional librarian jobs such as cataloger or reference librarian. But increasingly, current jobs are including non-traditional components. In the library world with its need to adopt leading edge technologies to sort, charge, and offer content, it is no surprise that whole new job titles have developed at an increasing rate. 

This is Part 1 (*note part 2 was never published before site was removed) of a glossary of current library job titles. These descriptions will include core component responsibilities and also functions that often accompany a job of this description. 
 

Access Services - This term is an update of the traditional "circulation" function. Circulation involves the movement of books and materials through the lending cycle of shelf, to patron, to return, and back to the shelf. This would include management of remote storage facilities, and access for persons with physical disabilities. In addition, access services often include these functions: managing reserves, building security, scheduling of student circulation staff, and responsibility for routine machine maintenance. Heads of access services have some responsibility for circulation statistics, and perhaps full reporting to the university or the director. 

Acquisitions - Responsibility is the purchasing process. Involves the functions of ordering materials, verifying receipt of items purchased, authorizing payment for the materials, and working with vendors. The acquisitions librarians works closely with the collection development folks, or may actually perform degrees of collection development. Often, serials acquisition is included in acquisitions. Increasingly, acquisitions is the department which handles the business of licensing electronic materials. A knowledge of MARC and Anglo-American Cataloging Rules (AARC2) is often required to perform effectively. 

Administration - Depending on the size of the library, these kinds of positions can be as complex as budget advisor, to functions as simple as taking messages for everyone. Many of the responsibilities of the administrative assistant apply, including "excellent oral and written communications skills". Use of word processing software, spreadsheet software, and use of a variety of business machines is expected. Experienced administrators usually handle the human resources jobs of the library. As primary library contact, the library office administrator usually becomes the interface with other university of government departments. Usually, the library office manager is the "telephony" expert. Maintenance of the schedule is a common administrative job. Checking invoices, and performing special projects are other common activities. At times, the administrator will take a turn covering at the reference desk to fill a scheduling gap. 

Archivist - Primary functions include appraising, describing, classifying, arranging and preserving materials. The materials may or may not be historic, fragile, or intrinsically valuable. Materials may include books, other printed materials, recorded audio, motion pictures, art, antiques, and other archival content. Other duties include retrieving items from the collection for use by patrons, observing due care in the handling of the materials. Other duties are reference work and bibliographic instruction in the subject area, and the creation of exhibits. Responsibilities may revolve around a specific endowed collection A specific job may be a project which is limited to the establishment/"setting up" of a new collection accepted by the library. Cataloging experience is usually expected. For some extensive or well endowed collections, experience in digital preservation is becoming an expectation. A related job title is curator. 

Cataloger - Two broader functions of this job are "Information Organization" and "Knowledge Management". This job usually includes original and complex copy cataloging. The materials may include books and monographs, serials, electronic resources, and foreign language materials. The tools used to establish and maintain "authority control" over the material include AACR2, LCSH, LCRI, and the DDC along with other vendor tools. Experience with OCLC is expected. Knowledge of current practices, new technologies, and trends in bibliographic control is expected. Other duties may include database maintenance, supervision of cataloging assistants, formulating department policies, and reference desk coverage. The cataloger is most often associated with the Technical Services department. 

On Being a Systems Librarian
This short essay defines systems librarianship.
http://www.infomotions.com/musings/systems-librarianship.shtml

Library Job Descriptions 

US Government Job Outlook Handbook
Library Technicians
http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos113.htm

Job Descriptions for Library Jobs
http://www.libraryhq.com/job_descriptions.html

University of Maryland
Job Summaries - include Primary Duties, Minimum Qualifications
Note: these links are part of the archived links found on the 
Wayback Machine (http://www.archive.org ) *remember if you need to find information that has been removed or changed its URL - you may be able to find the content using the Wayback Machine)
Library Technician I
http://www.usmd.edu/umspp/n04lb1.html
Library Technician II
http://www.usmd.edu/umspp/n07lb2.html
Library Technician III
http://www.usmd.edu/umspp/n10lb3.html

Berkeley Public Library
Job Descriptions
http://www.infopeople.org/bpl/system/libclass.html

University of  Arizona
Classified Staff Job Descriptions
http://www.hr.arizona.edu/06_jcl/jobdesc/L.php

Connecticut  State Library 
Sample Job Descriptions
http://www.cslib.org/jobdescript/

Indiana University
Library Classifications  & Salary - Job Specifications
http://www.indiana.edu/~hrm/salary/library/index.html
Support Staff Positions by Classification Title
http://www.indiana.edu/~libpers/classtitle.html
Support Staff Positions by In-House  Title
http://www.indiana.edu/~libpers/title.html
Indiana University Libraries
Support Staff / Job Sharing/Rotation Program
http://www.indiana.edu/~libpers/jspolicies.html

Ohio Library Job Descriptions
The following are catagories of job descriptions that are 
currently being used in Ohio public and school libraries
http://winslo.state.oh.us/publib/job.html
School Library/Media Job Descriptions
http://winslo.state.oh.us/publib/jobschool.html

University of Miami 
Capsule Library Job Descriptions
Library Assitants I - IV
http://www.miami.edu/hraa/cjd/cjd-la.htm

Eastern Illinois University
Job Classification Titles
(Scroll down page to "Library" titles)
http://www.eiu.edu/~humanres/jobclass.htm

Texas /  State Classification Job Description
Library Assistant I
http://www.hr.state.tx.us/compensation/jobdescriptions/r7350.htm
Library Assistant II
http://www.hr.state.tx.us/compensation/jobdescriptions/r7352.htm
Library Assistant III
http://www.hr.state.tx.us/compensation/jobdescriptions/r7354.htm

Berkeley Public Library Job Descriptions
http://www.infopeople.org/bpl/system/libclass.html

Montana State Sample Library Job Descriptions
http://msl.state.mt.us/ldd/Samples/PositionDescriptions/librarypds.html

Classified Library Job Descriptions 
Compiled by a, Library Media Specialist, Tulare County (California) Office of Education
December, 2000 
http://home.comcast.net/~carolpill/tucolib/jobdesc.htm

State, Court and County Law Libraries
Job Descriptions 
This collection of job descriptions, sample interview questions, 
and employment resources should be useful.
http://www.aallnet.org/sis/sccll/toolbox/jobdescripts.htm

LibraryCo
Library System of Ontario (Canada) Law Associations
Includes links various Library Job Descriptions
The following is quoted directly from webpage:
LibraryCo has developed LibraryCo System-wide Personnel Classification [*PDF document] which describes the various library staff positions in the system.
A generic Position Description describing the Law Library Assistant - entry level personnel in LibraryCo libraries is detailed here.
A generic Position Description describing the Law Library Assistant  personnel in LibraryCo libraries is detailed here.
A generic Position Description describing the Law Library Technician personnel in LibraryCo libraries is detailed here.
A generic Position Description describing the Reference / Assistant Librarian in LibraryCo libraries is detailed here.
A generic Position Description describing the Law Library Director in LibraryCo Regional libraries is detailed here.
See all links on this page:
http://www.libraryco.ca/index.mnk?PageID=1524
 

Job Descriptions for Library Jobs
http://www.libraryhq.com/job_descriptions.html

Books
Position Descriptions in Special Libraries
Del Sweeney (Editor)  Karin Zilla (Editor)
Format: Paperback, 3rd ed., 235pp.
ISBN: 0871114518
Publisher: Special Libraries Association
Pub. Date: November  1996
Edition Desc: REV 

Community College Library Job Descriptions and Organizational Charts, 
CJCLS Guide #4
Judy Born, Sue Clayton, and Aggie Balash, compilers
ISBN  0-8389-8119-4   c. 2000 

Other resources
MODEL JOB DESCRIPTIONS FOR LIBRARY SYSTEMS ON CD (Microsoft WordTM Document Files).  ISBN 0-927-160-21-9.  © 2002. Price: $99.00. You can also purchase any individual job description on the list below for $3.95 each ($15 min. order). They will be sent to you by email. 
http://www.lgi.org/Publications/JD-LS.htm

From:  4Expertise.com
Library Job Descriptions Bundle
http://www.4expertise.com/Library_Job_Descriptions_Bundle.html
 

List of Sample Job Descriptions
for Library Media Specialists and Teacher Librarians
http://www.fno.org/lmjob.html

Discussion Paper: Job Descriptions for Academic Librarians
http://www.caut.ca/english/member/papers/job_description.asp
 

More Related:
Sample Job Descriptions for 
Members of Boards of Directors
http://www.mapnp.org/library/boards/brdjobs.htm

Miscellaneous resources
Employee Job Descriptions (General - use for comparison)
Written by Carter McNamara, MBA, PhD | Applies to nonprofits and for-profits unless noted
http://www.managementhelp.org/staffing/specify/job_desc/job_desc.htm
 
 

Table of Contents

•  Academic Libraries 
•  Circulation / Access Services 
•  Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery 
•  Reference / Information Services 
•  Media / Learning Resources Center 
•  Systems / Microcomputer Specialist 
•  Technical Services / Cataloging 
•  Bindery 
•  Collection Development / Acquisitions 
•  Serials 
•  Outreach 
•  Serial Collections 
•  Corporate Libraries 
•  Military Libraries 
•  Nursing School Libraries 
•  Society Libraries 

Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama
Houston Cole Library
Library Student Assistant Job descriptions
http://www.jsu.edu/depart/library/graphic/sjob.htm

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Job Descriptions by Library Unit
http://aok.lib.umbc.edu/adm/person/sjob.php3

Noted from Libsup-L posting by Linda Owen:
Article/ Report - Employee Evaluations/Job Descriptions

"Job Descriptions: improving their currency, accuracy and usefulness "
by Lorraine Denny at:
http://www.alia.org.au/awards/dunn.wilson/1997/
It provides excellent information on how to create the ideal 
job description and how to use it to develop goals and evaluation criteria.
 

General Information Sites  about "Employee Job Descriptions"
http://www.mapnp.org/library/staffing/specify/job_desc/job_desc.htm
 

Related material:
New Employee Orientation: A how-to-Do-It Manual for Librarians
H. Scott Davis
Format: Paperback, 144pp.
ISBN: 1555701582
Publisher: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Incorporated
Pub. Date: February  1994
 
 

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University of Virginia Library Policies
Guidelines for Classifying Library Employees
http://128.143.22.23/staff/HR/policy/classify.html

Columbia University Information Services 
Administrative Manual
Support Staff Job Classification
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/libraries/inside/hr/admin/100s.html
 

***Interesting Reading*** -  Grievance/ Legal Decision
Of Library worker who filed a grievance  against 
Southern West Virginia Community College.
Re: her library job classification
http://www.state.wv.us/admin/grievanc/decision/dec1996/browning.htm

University of Michigan 
Library Classification Study
Study Questionnaire **PDF Document
http://www.lib.umich.edu/hr/lib/classification_study_q.pdf
Classification System for Non-Librarian Positions
http://www.lib.umich.edu/hr/lib/staff_manual_class_nl.html
U of M
Library Human Resources Dept. Links for Library Employees
http://www.lib.umich.edu/hr/

University of Delaware
Read : Part of a Salaried Staff Classification  Review 1999
http://www.udel.edu/EMPRELATION/SSREPORT.htm
Scroll down to part on:
D. Library Family 

University of Minnesota Office of Human Resources
 Questionnaire Administration for the
Library & Collections Compensation Study
http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/comp/library_pages/administration.htm

FAQ's about the Compensation Study
http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/comp/library_pages/faq.htm

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To Contact, Me ~ Mary Niederlander
via e-mail, write to: Mary@Link2Mary.com
THANK YOU!!