Serials Library Technician

LAC Federal is seeking a detail-oriented Serials Library Technician to support a research library in Washington, DC. The successful candidate will assist with the management, processing, organization, and maintenance of serials collections, including journals, periodicals, magazines, and other continuing resources.

This position requires hands-on experience with serials workflows and proficiency in Library Services Platforms like Ex Libris Alma , including serials receiving, holdings maintenance, and collection management activities.

The Serials Library Technician will play an important role in ensuring the accuracy, accessibility, and organization of serials collections supporting researchers, scholars, and library staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Receive, check in, process, and maintain serial publications, including journals, magazines, periodicals, annuals, and other continuing resources.

- Utilize Ex Libris Alma to manage serials records, track receipts, update holdings, and maintain accurate collection information.

- Monitor serial subscriptions and identify missing, delayed, duplicate, or incomplete issues.

- Assist with claiming missing serial issues and resolving discrepancies in publication receipts and holdings.

- Maintain accurate bibliographic, holdings, and item records for print and other serial resources.

- Process newly received serial materials, including labeling, stamping, barcoding, and preparing items for shelving or circulation.

- Organize, shelve, shift, and maintain serials collections in accordance with established library procedures.

- Conduct bibliographic searches and verify publication information using Alma and other library resources.

- Support serials inventory, shelf reading, collection maintenance, and holdings verification projects.

- Identify serial materials requiring repair, replacement, relabeling, or preservation attention.

- Assist with the withdrawal, transfer, or relocation of serials materials and update associated library records.

- Collaborate with library staff to resolve serials-related processing, access, and collection management issues.

- Maintain accurate records of serials processing activities and assist with preparing operational reports and statistics.

- Support additional library technical services and collection management activities as assigned.

Requirements

- High school diploma or equivalent.

- Minimum one (1) year of experience working in a library, preferably within serials, periodicals, acquisitions, or technical services.

- Demonstrated experience processing and managing serials, journals, periodicals, or other continuing resources.

- Experience using an integrated library services platform for library operations, including serials management, accessioning, holdings maintenance, or related workflows. Preference given to experience with Ex Libris Alma

- Familiarity with serials check-in procedures, publication frequencies, and maintaining accurate serials records.

- Ability to identify and resolve discrepancies involving serial receipts, holdings, and missing issues.

- Knowledge of basic library cataloging, bibliographic records, and collection organization practices.

- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to maintain accurate records and perform repetitive tasks.

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a library environment.

- Ability to organize, retrieve, shelve, and maintain physical library materials accurately.

- Ability to work on-site in Washington, DC.

- Ability to successfully complete required background screening and obtain any necessary facility credentials.
Preferred Qualifications

- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Library Science, Information Science, History, Humanities, or a related field.

- Two or more years of experience working with serials or continuing resources in an academic, research, or special library.

- Experience using Ex Libris Alma's acquisitions, resource management, or serials-related functions.

- Familiarity with MARC bibliographic and holdings records, including serials-specific metadata.

- Experience with serials acquisitions, subscription maintenance, claiming, and vendor communications.

- Knowledge of serials publication patterns, enumeration, chronology, and prediction patterns.

- Experience with serials binding preparation, inventory management, and collection maintenance.

- Familiarity with OCLC, WorldCat, or other library bibliographic databases.

- Experience maintaining print and electronic serials holdings.

- Experience supporting technical services operations within a research or academic library.

- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and meeting established deadlines.

Physical Requirements

- Ability to lift, carry, push, and move library materials, boxes, and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

- Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and stretch for extended periods while shelving, retrieving, organizing, and inventorying library collections.

- Ability to work safely in library stack and storage environments, including using step stools or ladders, maneuvering book carts, and performing repetitive tasks requiring manual dexterity and visual accuracy.
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.
Nothing in this job specification restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently.
Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.