Niaz Ahmad

Librarian at Library of Congress Office

• Pakistan - Islamabad
• My current job since May 2000

In my present position as a Librarian for the Library of Congress in the Islamabad Overseas Operations Office, I promote the Library's strategic goals by creating bibliographic records which provide access to its acquisitions in order to share information at the international level. In addition, I maintain the accuracy and integrity of these bibliographic records by following the internet security measures which were established to protect the online database and all the information it contains.

Librarian offers thirteen years in library services and research. Advanced knowledge of cataloging and in depth understanding AACR2, RDA, Library of Congress Subject Heading and Classification and general library operations

I create bibliographic records and add them to a library database which is available worldwide to the international library community.

Manager of Professional Cataloging Activities:

Provide guidance and leadership to catalogers, overseeing descriptive cataloging of monographs, serials, pamphlets, non-book formats in Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Punjabi, Pushto, Gujarati, Sindhi, Balochi, Brahui, Siraiki, Kashmiri, and English. Responsible for ensuring that LOC standards for quality cataloging are maintained and that all records contributed to the national bibliographic database meet highest quality standards.

Perform original and copy cataloging of books, serials, and electronic resources in MARC format and classify library materials in ILS (Integrated Library System) and OCLC (Online Computer Library Center). Coordinated authority control for online catalog. Supervised and trained student assistants. Provided research assistance on an occasional basis.

Explain the theories behind the bibliographic description of materials in a library and the set of international standards and practices evolved by the Library of Congress to provide effective bibliographic control and access in an online environment.

Upgrades preliminary records prepared by acquisitions librarians or technicians. Prepares name authorities, or modifies existing authorities as needed, following the international standards for authority control.

LEAD NON-PRINT SPECIALIST:

Create bibliographic records for non-print (music, movies and DVD etc.) material implement the knowledge of cataloging rules, LC practice, and knowledge of current MARC and format standards, contributes to efforts to streamline cataloging efficiencies, e.g. leading or implementing initiatives.

I have full knowledge of AMIM2 (Archival Moving Image Material) and MOIM (Music and Sound Recording Online Manual).

I have ability to develop training in specialized cataloging and acquisitions for non-print resources.

Librarian (Cataloger):

Perform independent original descriptive cataloging of monographs, serials and non-book materials in accordance with international standards, viz., AACR2, LC rule interpretations and current revisions, and other cataloging manuals.

Determines the level of cataloging description and the priority to be assigned to each newly acquired publication to provide optimal access for users of the international automated database. Provides information for descriptive cataloging as required by Regional Cooperative Cataloging Division (RCCD) and CONSER (serials).

Determines and establishes access points to provide optimal access to the work for researchers and other users of the database. Creates bibliographic records in MARC21 format, an international format for automated cataloging, to be uploaded into the Library’s Online Public Access Catalog in Washington.

Upgrades preliminary records prepared by acquisitions librarians or technicians. Prepares name and series authorities, or modifies existing authorities as needed, following the international standards for authority control.