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Organization Profile
As the official department of archives and history of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Concordia Historical Institute serves as general advisory agency for historical interests within synodical offices, departments, education institutions and congregations. CHI is charged with preserving and promoting Lutheran history, especially the history surrounding the LCMS. This is done through actively collecting, organizing, cataloging and preserving relevant documents, photographs, books, artifacts, and fine art-and making these historical items available to inform and inspire the church community.
Reporting Relationships
The Library Cataloger works in coordination with:
The Archive and Library Manager
The Reference and Research Supervisor
Volunteers working to organize the library and rare books.
Essential Job Functions
The Library Cataloger is responsible for adding volumes in the CHI library and Rare Book Collection to the online library catalog (Mobius/Bridges) with efficiency and accuracy.
Primary responsibilities include (but not limited to):
Catalog published volumes (published works, microform, DVD, etc.) using the OCLC and Mobius/Bridges administrator software.
Enters accurate data about each volume into the catalog.
Match volumes in the CHI catalog with other catalog entries from the libraries of other institutions holding the same volume (especially those in Concordia Seminary, St. Louis library).
Works with German-language and other language titles.
Attaches appropriate labels to book spines.
Identities volumes in need of curating.
Secondary responsibilities include:
Ordering cataloging supplies as needed.
Organizes the CHI Library collection shelves and the “reference library” next to the researcher tables.
Attends Mobius/Bridges member meetings as CHI Representative.
Education and Experience
Mastery of policies and guidelines in consistent and accurate cataloging of a variety of library materials
Active support of the goals, priorities, procedures and initiatives of the Executive Director and the CHI Board of Directors. Active support of making the CHI library holding more discoverable/accessible by researchers.
Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)
ALA-Accredited Master’s Degree in Library Science (MLS) or Library and Information Science (MLIS).
Three years of experience as a library cataloger.
Administrator-level competencies with library cataloging software programs.
Ability to write clear and concise descriptions of library material.
Skills in time management and organization.
Appreciation for and working knowledge of history of Lutheranism in North America.
Understanding of distinct difference between nature of library vis-`a-vis nature of an archive.
Preferred
Ability to catalog library materials not yet included in OCLC catalog.
Working knowledge of German terms common in publication titles and descriptions.
Ability to work with library materials in a variety of languages.
Continuing education in the area of library cataloging.
Supervisory Responsibility
None