This is specialized library work in the maintenance of a collection of rare books and related materials. The employee in this class is responsible for the selection and acquisition of materials for the rare book collection. Contacts with book dealers and supervision of employees engaged in providing reference services are significant aspects of the work.

Work is performed under the direction of a higher level rare book librarian.

• Reviews catalogs and other publications received from book dealers and jobbers; makes tentative selection based on catalog description; reviews card catalog and subject bibliography to determine if item is appropriate for inclusion in collection; makes recommendations for the acquisition of rare book items and the selection of agents to bid at auction on behalf of the library.
• Directs the activities of subordinate employees engaged in providing reference services, preparing rare book exhibits, maintains records and statistics, and conducting tours through the rare book department.
• Researches and selects materials for display in rare book exhibits; sets up display and composes descriptive captions to explain exhibits.
• Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of bibliographic descriptions in response to inquiries; provides advice on bibliographic matters to librarians engaged in cataloging and classifying rare materials.
• Receives and examines purchased rare books; determines the value and authenticity of the purchase by comparing item with catalog description, examining the color and texture of paper and covers, and studying the printing or writing in the book.
• Services as consultant to students and scholars utilizing the rare books and manuscripts; guides students, scholars, and other interested parties through the rare book department.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the history and bibliography of rare books, manuscripts and incunabula.
• specialized reference and research techniques used in the field of rare books.
• the care, handling, and preparation for use of rare books, manuscripts and incunabula.
• the sources and values of rare books, manuscripts, and incunabula.

ABILITY TO:

• comprehend Latin and one of the following modern European languages; German, French, Spanish or Italian.
• recognize, identify, and verify rare books, manuscripts, and incunabula.
• aid and instruct students and scholars in specialized reference and research questions and to guide interested persons and groups in the resources of the rare book collection.
• supervise a small staff of lower staff of lower level librarians and clerical employees.

• Possession of a fifth year degree from an accredited school of library science and completion of a master's degree program in history or literature.

• Four years of experience compiling bibliographies or performing reference or research work in the field of rare books and incunabula.

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department which has included the educational requirements indicated above as a minimum.

NOTE: The training and/or experience shall have included or been supplemented by a reading knowledge of Latin and one of the following modern European languages: German, French, Spanish or Italian.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

PAY RANGE: EP20
Class Established: 3/1956
Latest Spec. Revision: 9/1988

CN/vp/mt