Associate Librarian for Researcher & Collections Services

Are you a transformational leader passionate about library collections and service to researchers? The Library of Congress, holder of the largest collection of research materials ever assembled, is looking for a leader with significant experience in managing collections and/or research &reference services at a large library or cultural heritage organization to guide us during a period of significant growth and change as the Associate Librarian for Researcher and Collection Services (AL-RCS). The AL-RCS ensures the quality development of the collections -- including tangible, digitized, and born digital -- acquired by the Library through multiple acquisition streams (purchase, gift, copyright deposit, web archiving, open content, and exchange) and develops, effective, innovative, and equitable means for researchers to use them. Collections included under the scope of the AL-RCS include those within the Library’s Special Collections Directorate, General and International Collections Directorate, and National Audio Visual Conservation Center. The current collection size is >174M items. The AL-RCS provides leadership and direction for a comprehensive, inclusive collection strategy for the Library’s national collection in all formats. Leading over 550 dedicated RCS employees, as well as working closely with colleagues throughout the Library Collections & Services Group and Library-wide, the next AL-RCS will have an important opportunity to build and shape the future of the Library’s collections, as well as access to them. As the de facto national library, the Library continues to collect in both analog and digital form though like other research libraries, the shift from collections as predominantly print-based materials to collections that are increasingly born digital and electronically-delivered content is driving the Library’s new Digital Collections Strategy work. The evolving environment secures the Library’s future as steward of a “universal and enduring source of knowledge,” functioning as a “research library of last resort’ while simultaneously adopting a digital-forward strategy that harnesses technology to bridge geographical divides, expand reach, and enhance service. The incumbent will work closely with the Associate Librarian for Discovery & Preservation Services to organize, digitize and make information accessible, and enrich the online and offsite user experience in support of traditional and evolving forms of research. S/he will emphasize diversity, equity, and inclusion in our collections strategies, and ensure that our practices around collecting, description, and access enable the inclusion of historically marginalized and underrepresented narratives, perspectives, and people. S/he will collaborate with other service units across the Library to create programs to share these collections, provide engagement opportunities – both in-person and virtual – to enable all users to connect with the Library’s collections, and celebrate significant intellectual and cultural achievements. Under the leadership of the AL-RCS, the service unit is responsible for increasing public awareness of the Library as a scholarly and cultural institution through communications and products promoting the knowledge and usefulness of the Library and scholarly resources; and for broadening the knowledge and use of Library resources. In supporting the Library’s position as a leader in the library and cultural heritage communities, s/he must support and invest in the professional development, engagement, and advancement of our staff members, ensuring that our personnel has the skills to accommodate changes in the information provision, collections strategy, and the needs and expectations of our users. Respecting tradition and enabling innovation, the incumbent will help ensure the continuing relevance of the Library of Congress to more Americans and the world at large. The Library will be hosting an information session on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, to provide an overview of the position, the Library Collections & Services Group in which it is seated, the executive leadership aspects of the position, as well as general information about applying for Library of Congress positions. A question and answer period will be included. Attendees may join the session anonymously. The session will also be recorded with the information available to all potential applicants until the position closes. The link for the session, as well as the recording once available, is https://bit.ly/LOC-AL-RCS-info. The Library is using JDG Associates to assist in this important search. It is strongly recommended that interested parties contact JDG Associates for additional information about the position, in addition to attending the info session. Please see https://bit.ly/LOC-AL-RCS.

Learn More »