Multilingual Library Technician: Cataloging & Metadata

King William County Library System; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental &amp

Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary &

Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & PH

Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)

Short Term & Long-Term Disability

Training & Development

Job summary

LAC Federal in Washington, DC is seeking a detail-oriented Library Technician to support cataloging, metadata cleanup, and collection maintenance for a federal research library. You will work with Ex Libris Alma, perform holdings updates, and prepare materials for original and copy cataloging.

You will create digital reference packages for remote foreign-language catalogers, track processing queues, assist with backlog reduction, and ensure accurate records across multilingual collections.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of experience in a library, archives, museum, research institution, or comparable information management environment with cataloging support.
• Experience using an integrated library system to search and update bibliographic, holdings, or item records.
• Working knowledge of cataloging processes, including bibliographic records, call numbers, classification, barcodes, holdings, and inventory control.
• Ability to recognize and distinguish multiple foreign-language writing systems (at least three: Latin, Cyrillic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic/Persian, Hebrew, Greek).
• Ability to identify bibliographic information from title pages, publication statements, colophons, and other standard sources, including unfamiliar languages.
• Experience with scanners, digital imaging equipment, or document management applications for electronic files.
• Strong computer skills, including MS Office, spreadsheets, shared file systems, and accurate data entry.
• Ability to follow detailed written procedures and maintain accurate records; perform repetitive technical tasks with high accuracy.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple processing queues and meet productivity and quality standards.
• Ability to safely handle and move library materials, on-site and off-site, with attention to safety.

Responsibilities

• Receive, sort, inventory, and prepare materials for cataloging.
• Conduct preliminary bibliographic searches in Alma and WorldCat to identify existing records and assist copy cataloging workflows.
• Create and update bibliographic holdings and item records in Alma with barcodes, statuses, locations, and call numbers.
• Prepare digital reference packages for remote foreign-language catalogers by scanning title pages, covers, and publication data.
• Recognize and distinguish multiple foreign-language writing systems to support correct cataloging assignments.
• Track cataloging assignments, maintain digital file organization, and reconcile records with physical materials.
• Assist with cataloging backlog reduction by organizing materials and monitoring processing queues.
• Support metadata cleanup, including identifying duplicates and encoding anomalies for professional review.
• Conduct physical inventory reconciliation, shelf verification, and collection maintenance.
• Process withdrawals and disposition actions with updated Alma records and audit trails.
• Assist with serials maintenance by verifying issues and updating records.
• Handle and transport library materials following preservation and security procedures, including off-site storage when needed.

Skills

Organizational skills

Computer skills

Foreign-language scripts recognition

Scanner usage

Digital imaging

MS Office proficiency

Education

Library Technology degree or related field

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Ex Libris Alma

OCLC WorldCat

MARC 21

UTF-8 / Unicode

Job description

LAC Federal in Washington, DC is seeking a detail-oriented Library Technician to support cataloging, metadata cleanup, and collection maintenance for a federal research library. You will work with Ex Libris Alma, perform holdings updates, and prepare materials for original and copy cataloging.

You will create digital reference packages for remote foreign-language catalogers, track processing queues, assist with backlog reduction, and ensure accurate records across multilingual collections.