General Summary of Position:
The UMass Lowell University Library seeks a collaborative and service-oriented librarian to lead our collections and acquisitions strategy during an exciting period of assessment and growth. Reporting to the Dean of the University Library, the Assistant Director for Library Collections is responsible for developing and implementing a data-informed library collections strategy and associated policies and workflows that equitably support the full diversity of our community’s research, teaching, and learning activities. They oversee the resource management lifecycle, including the acquisition, maintenance, assessment, support, and deaccession of library resources in all formats. The Assistant Director for Library Collections manages the Library’s materials budget under the direction of the Dean of the University Library and leads negotiations with vendors for the licensing and purchase of library materials. As a member of the Library’s leadership team, they contribute to the development of strategic, operational, and financial planning, bringing expertise and knowledge of trends in academic library collections strategy and management.
We want candidates to know that we are committed to helping our colleagues develop professionally throughout their time at UMass Lowell; we do not expect all applicants to possess all of the preferred qualifications we list here. We welcome applications from people who embrace lifelong learning and are passionate about providing meaningful and equitable access to information, resources, and services that enable the success of a diverse and engaged community. If you are excited by the prospect of being part of a team that is working to understand and serve the current needs and future goals of our community, we hope you consider submitting your application to this position.
Schedule: Remote (hybrid) opportunities may be possible. Schedule to be determined in consultation with the Dean of the University Library.
Essential Job Duties:
Collections Strategy:
- Collaborating with other Library staff and partnering with stakeholders from across the campus, develop and implement a data-informed collections strategy that equitably supports evolving community needs.
- In collaboration with the Assistant Director for Communications & User Experience and other Library staff, engage in ongoing assessment of library collections in all formats.
- Design, implement and, on an ongoing basis, assess and revise policies, procedures, and best practices that support the library collections strategy and streamline services and workflows.
- Work with Access Services staff to coordinate Interlibrary Loan and purchase requests to ensure sourcing of library materials aligns with collection strategy and adheres to best practices in copyright law.
- Maintain familiarity with the OER/textbook publishing landscape; make recommendations for institutional solutions that provide quality educational materials to users at no cost.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with staff from other libraries (e.g., UMass system, BLC, MCCLPHEI, EAST, and other partner institutions); represent UMass Lowell in consortial committees and other cooperative working groups.
Financial Management: Budget/Vendors/Negotiations:
- Manage the Library’s materials budget, under the direction of the Dean of the University Library and in collaboration with the Associate Director for Research & Learning, to ensure equitable distribution of resources across the curriculum and research agenda.
- Coordinate trials of new products to gain user feedback to guide acquisitions decisions.
- Analyze usage statistics, institutional data, ILL reports, and community feedback, as well as qualitative data, to evaluate return on investment and support decision-making around selection and renewal of resources; create reports and other deliverables to communicate usage trends and impact to Library staff and external stakeholders.
- Develop and maintain relationships with vendors; lead contract negotiations for licensing and purchasing of electronic resources, books, journals, streaming video, and other resources to obtain favorable pricing and terms of use.
- Evaluate and pursue EBA, PDA, transformative agreements (read/publish) and other open access initiatives, and other content pricing models that support the longer-term sustainability of library collections sourcing.
Acquisitions:
- Collaborate with selectors to purchase materials for library collections; review and respond to purchase requests submitted by the faculty, staff, and students.
- Lead and participate in the development and documentation of acquisitions workflows; provide training to Library staff on vendor and library systems used to acquire or deselect information resources.
- Manage and participate in the library's resource acquisitions workflow, including ordering and receiving physical items; ensure accurate and timely processing of contracts, purchase requisitions, and invoices for library materials.
- Develop policies and procedures for donations of books and other materials; select donations for the collection and send unwanted donations to appropriate vendors or organizations for resale, archiving, or recycling; refer archival and special collections gift and donation offers to the Head Archivist.
Collection Management and Discovery:
- Collaborate with Access Services, Research & Learning, and Archives & Special Collections staff to promote use of and engagement with Library collections.
- Work with the systems librarian to manage the e-resource lifecycle and ensure discoverability and accessibility of Library resources.
- Plan and lead projects related to collection development, assessment, maintenance, preservation, and deaccession, collaborating with or directing the work of other library staff on such projects.
Library Strategy and Planning
- As a member of the Library’s leadership team, contribute to the development of strategic, operational, and financial planning, bringing expertise and knowledge of trends in academic library collections strategy and management.
Promote the University’s commitment to customer service by:
- Building effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the University by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance when needed.
- Ensuring optimal service to all internal and external partners in response to all requests for service and information.
- Maintaining an environment that is welcoming to persons of all backgrounds, nationalities, and roles.
- Embracing lifelong learning and professional development for themselves and their staff.
Minimum Qualifications (Required):
Education and Experience:
- A master's degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited library/information science program, or international equivalent, by the time of hire; alternatively, we will consider applicants with a master’s degree in a highly relevant field.
- 5-7 years of experience working in an academic library, with at least 3 years in the areas of library collections, acquisitions, and/or e-resource management.
Skills:
- Demonstrated experience managing the resource lifecycle (negotiation, acquisition, resource management, renewals, and deaccession of resources, both print and electronic)
- Ability to manage, interpret, and manipulate COUNTER and other data usage reports, as well as qualitative data, to support collection assessment, annual reports, and accreditation documentation
- Experience with library collections budget planning, development, and tracking
- Experience with licensing language review and licensing negotiation; familiarity with copyright law and its application and best practices regarding the acquisition and use of library materials
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both orally and in writing; demonstrated success in collaborative environments
- Demonstrated critical thinking and independent decision-making skills
- Demonstrated knowledge of the library and financial systems used in library acquisitions and budget-management work (such as Microsoft Excel, ERM systems, campus budgeting systems, and ILS)
- Commitment to providing equitable service to a diverse community
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience or leadership in managing large-scale collections projects
- Experience training and supervising staff
- Understanding of cataloging principles and workflows
- Ability to balance big picture with detail
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively and flexibility to adapt to and provide leadership in a rapidly changing landscape
Additional Considerations:
- Innovative, data-driven, service-oriented, excellent judgment
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Only Internal Professional (SEIU 888 Professional Union) Bargaining candidates will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.
This is an SEIU 888 Professional Union position, Grade P20.
Remote (hybrid) opportunities may be possible. Schedule to be determined in consultation with the Dean of the University Library.
Initial review of applications will begin on April 2, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.
Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required at the time of application.
Posting updated 3/19/2024.
