Sample KSAs for Librarian Positions GS 9-12 Catalogers

The FLICC Personnel Working Group is developing Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities statements (KSAs) in the areas of public services, systems, acquisitions, cataloging and administration/management. The KSAs can be used in vacancy announcements for federal positions. The document below is one of a series and is a "work in progress."

You are encouraged to visit this page during the process of preparing your own vacancy announcements and select the KSAs appropriate to your circumstances. These KSAs are intended as a guide and are not associated with specific grade levels nor are they intended to be used for the purpose of classifying 1410 positions.

The working group invites your comments and additions. Please email them to Kathy Eighmey, the FLICC staff liaison to the Personnel Working Group.

Professional knowledge of the theories, objectives, principles, and techniques of library and information science

Knowledge of the organizational structure and programs of the agency of which the library is a part

Knowledge of the user population, characteristics of the users of the library [including type of research required (ready reference; doctoral research, etc.), intellectual level of the user (post library, college library, etc.)]

Knowledge of the theory and technique of librarianship as applied to descriptive and subject cataloging of library materials including cataloging rules and guidelines.

Reading knowledge of foreign languages

Knowledge of subject matter of the library collection [this knowledge would be used to gain an understanding of the major concepts in the field(s) of study in relating the subject terms to each other in subject cataloging and classification]

Knowledge of print, nonprint, and electronic resources used in the subject area (such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, listserves, bibliographies) [These items could be used in bibliographic research such as finding definitions, addresses, previous works, etc.]

Knowledge of the use of classification schedules and expansion tables such as Dewey Decimal Classification, Library of Congress Classification

Knowledge of subject heading lists and the construction of thesauri

Knowledge of bibliographic utilities such as OCLC and RLIN

Knowledge of machine-readable codes

Knowledge of library online integrated systems to assist with planning, design, implementation, installation, and user education required for optimal use of these automated systems

Knowledge of acquisition procedures to obtain additional bibliographic information as needed

Knowledge of the publishing industry for verifying and locating bibliographic data.

Knowledge of library automation, computer networks, integrated library system, information retrieval systems, and technology to recommend enhancements to the services offered by the library as technology evolves

Knowledge of the Internet, networking, and the development of Web resources including HTML coding

Skills

Skill in using cataloging tools, classification schedules, subject heading lists, thesauri

Skill in applying cataloging rules and guidelines

Skill in using and creating authority records

Skill in searching bibliographic databases

Skill in defining and analyzing bibliographic relationships

Skill in applying bibliographic maintenance and data cleanup or correction procedures

Skill in operating personal computers

Skill in operating new technologies such as CD-ROM an DVD

Skill in manipulating data such as copy/paste techniques in graphical user interface environments

Skill in proofreading and correcting bibliographic data for errors

Skill in searching the Internet

Skill in using bibliographic utilities to create, modify, and maintain bibliographic data

Skill in defining and analyzing bibliographic relationships

Skill in using the MARC format and other knowledge access management systems such as the Dublin Core

Skill in resource preservation techniques (such as book repair or book binding systems)

Abilities

Ability to communicate and interact effectively with customers, vendors, library personnel, and other information professionals

Ability to work effectively as a library team member

Ability to train other library staff on important changes, enhancements, or developments within the area of bibliographic control which effects their work

Ability to apply cataloging rules and adapt to changing cataloging rules and guidelines

Ability to identify, interpret, and apply a wide range of cataloging and classification rules and principles to catalog materials which deviate from standard approaches often in light of new formats and technologies

Ability to use print and electronic cataloging tools effectively

Ability to use computer operating systems, software pages, and CD-ROM technology

Ability to accept and deal with ambiguity and make justifiable cataloging decisions in the absence of clear-cut guidelines

Ability to understand how procedures of other library departments mesh with those of the Cataloging department

Ability to create effective cataloging records where little or no precedent cataloging exists

Ability to identify and interpret a wide range of cataloging and classification rules and principles to catalog materials which deviate from standard approaches

Ability to decipher the author's/ creator's focus and major theme(s) of the work to be cataloged

Ability to understand how other modules of an integrated library system relate to and interact with the cataloging module

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Federal Library and Information Center Committee Comments: [email protected]