Technical Services Librarian (Biomedical Collections)

King William County Library System; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)

Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)

Job summary

King William County Library System is seeking a Technical Services Librarian in Bethesda, Maryland. This role involves cataloging, metadata management, and support for both physical and digital biomedical collections.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science and has three years of relevant experience. Strong technical skills and collaboration abilities are essential.

The position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health care, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of professional technical services experience in a biomedical, academic, research, or federal library.
• Experience performing original and complex copy cataloging using MARC21, RDA, and AACR2 standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform original and complex copy cataloging for print and electronic biomedical library materials.
• Create, edit, and maintain bibliographic, holdings, authority, and item records.
• Support acquisitions and serials workflows including order tracking and subscription maintenance.

Skills

Technical services expertise

Metadata management

Bibliographic standards

Collaborative skills

Education

Master's degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS/MLS)

Tools

Integrated library systems (e.g., Ex Libris Alma)

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Description

LAC Federal is seeking a Technical Services Librarian to support a federal library in Bethesda, Maryland. The Technical Services Librarian will support cataloging, metadata management, acquisitions, electronic resources, collection maintenance, and discovery services for one of the world’s premier biomedical research libraries. This position supports the organization, accessibility, discoverability, and long‑term management of biomedical and health sciences collections in both physical and digital formats. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical services and metadata expertise, experience with integrated library systems and bibliographic standards, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast‑paced federal research environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform original and complex copy cataloging for print and electronic biomedical library materials using national and local metadata standards.


• Create, edit, and maintain bibliographic, holdings, authority, and item records in integrated library systems and discovery platforms.


• Apply cataloging and metadata standards including MARC21, RDA, AACR2, MeSH, LCSH, LCNAF, Dublin Core, and related schemas.


• Support acquisitions and serials workflows including order tracking, receiving, invoicing coordination, and subscription maintenance.


• Maintain and troubleshoot electronic resource access issues involving journals, databases, e-books, and authentication systems.


• Conduct metadata quality control, normalization, remediation, and authority control activities to improve discoverability and consistency.


• Support collection management projects including inventory, weeding, migration, digitization, and retrospective conversion initiatives.


• Assist with library systems and discovery layer maintenance, testing, and configuration activities.


• Collaborate with public services staff and researchers to resolve bibliographic, access, and resource discovery issues.


• Prepare reports, statistics, and workflow documentation related to cataloging productivity, e‑resource management, and metadata quality.


• Participate in special projects involving digital repositories, metadata crosswalks, linked data, or data cleanup activities.


• Remain current with evolving cataloging standards, biomedical metadata practices, and emerging library technologies.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS/MLS) from an ALA‑accredited institution.


• Minimum of three (3) years of professional technical services experience in a biomedical, academic, research, or federal library environment.


• Demonstrated experience performing original and complex copy cataloging using MARC21, RDA, and AACR2 standards.


• Experience using integrated library systems such as Ex Libris Alma, Voyager, OCLC WorldShare Management Services (WMS), or similar platforms.


• Knowledge of authority control practices and controlled vocabularies including MeSH, LCSH, and LCNAF.


• Experience managing bibliographic, holdings, and item records for print and electronic resources.


• Familiarity with electronic resources management concepts and workflows.


• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Word, and Teams.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with librarians, researchers, and technical staff.


• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance and NIH badge.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a biomedical or health sciences library environment.


• Familiarity with NLM classification practices and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) indexing.


• Experience with OCLC Connexion, Alma Analytics, Primo, or other discovery and metadata management platforms.


• Knowledge of metadata schemas including Dublin Core, MODS, BIBFRAME, or XML‑based metadata standards.


• Experience with metadata remediation, migration, or retrospective conversion projects.


• Familiarity with electronic resource troubleshooting tools and OpenURL/link resolver technologies.


• Experience supporting institutional repositories or digital library initiatives.


• Knowledge of scripting, SQL, OpenRefine, MarcEdit, or other metadata manipulation tools.


• Experience participating in systems implementation or library migration projects.


• Membership in the American Library Association (ALA), Medical Library Association (MLA), or related professional organizations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while performing cataloging, metadata management, electronic resource maintenance, data analysis, and other computer‑based technical services activities.


• Ability to perform repetitive hand and wrist movements associated with prolonged computer use, including data entry, metadata editing, record maintenance, and use of integrated library systems and discovery platforms.


• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and move library materials, archival boxes, or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds as part of collection maintenance, inventory, and technical services support activities.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)


• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)


• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)


• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)


• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)


• Short Term & Long-Term Disability


• Training & Development

EEO Statement

The company and its subsidiaries are an equal opportunity employer and celebrate the population of differences and does not discriminate in its hiring/hiring practices, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.