The bibliographer has a primary responsibility for the planning and development of the collection to support research and study of Western European history, literature, the social sciences and related subjects. The area of imprint and language delineate the scope of this responsibility. Collection maintenance includes the implementation of collection programs, monitoring and periodic review and evaluation of programs, and written guidelines to academic departments and library staff. A central function is the organization and use of bibliographical tools to allow for a comprehensive review of materials published, and for a qualified judgment of resources selected for acquisition. Emphasis is placed on the maintenance and further development, as needed, of programs for the identification, review and selection of current scholarly resources (in all formats) published in Western Europe and related to classical and medieval studies, modern and contemporary European languages and literatures (especially German, French and Italian), European history, religion, philosophy, and the social sciences.

Working in consultation with faculty (particularly book chairs), other members of the library staff, and advanced students, the bibliographer for West European Resources has a primary obligation to relate library resources to the current and future needs of specific academic programs and faculty, whether these be materials purchased for the collections or materials made available through resource sharing. The bibliographer also provides support to the academic departments for the selection of retrospective and specialized resources, largely through the provision of bibliographical information involving dealers' catalogs, prospectuses, and reprint notifications.

Other duties and responsibilities include: preparation of a budget statement and management of an acquisitions allocation; written evaluation of the collections; advanced referral reference and research assistance; bibliographical instruction to classes; special assignments in connection with departmental goals, including participation in the formulation of cooperative collection policies and programs; and work on Library committees.

The bibliographer reports to the Head of Collection Development, and the programs developed by him complement other area and subject programs in the Department. See the following page for more specific assignments.