Reference Librarian - African and Middle Eastern Division (Vacancy#:VAR003440)

Digital Library Federation; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

Library of Congress seeks a Reference Librarian in the Africa and Middle East Division to evaluate and select materials for the library’s collection. You will review sources for potential acquisitions to grow collections across designated subjects and regions.

You will support print and digital collections, ensuring alignment with researchers’ needs and collection policies while promoting a diverse, inclusive record for future generations.

Qualifications

• Serve as a subject-matter specialist as assigned and called on to evaluate and select materials for the library’s collection.
• Acquire materials to develop collections in areas of subject and geographic responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Review all relevant sources of items for possible acquisition to develop collections.
• Support collections development aligning with researchers’ needs and with collection policies.

Skills

Subject-matter expertise

Job description

• Opening Date: October 01, 2026
• Closing Date: October 30, 2026
• OPM Control Number: 887227000
• Vacancy Number: VAR003440
• LC Organization Unit: Researcher and Collection Services
• Grade: GS-12
• Series: 1410
• Minimum Salary: $102,415.00 per year
• Maximum Salary: $133,142.00 per year
• Work Schedule: Full-time-Flexitime
• Promotion Potential: GS-12
• Duty Location: Washington, DC
• Security Clearance: Other
• Availability: U.S. Citizens Only

The position is for a Reference Librarian who serves in the African and Middle Eastern Division within the General and International Collections Directorate (GICD), Researcher and Collections Services (RCS) within the Library Collections and Services Group (LCSG)at the Library of Congress (Library).

As the Reference Librarian, you will:

• Serve as a subject-matter specialist as assigned and called on to evaluate and select materials for the library’s collection in those assigned subject areas. Review all relevant sources of items for possible acquisition to develop collections in areas of subject and/or geographic responsibility.
• Support collections development, print and digital, aligning them with the needs of current researchers, and with collection policies intended to sustain the growth of a universal collection. Help balance new acquisitions with responsible stewardship of existing collections while building a more diverse and inclusive record for future generations. Acquire material of underrepresented perspectives and voices in the Library’s collections to ensure diverse authorship, points of view, cultural identities, and other historical or cultural factors.