Collections Strategist

Collections Strategist

Requirements

• An ALA-accredited master’s degree, or a comparable graduate degree from a non-U. S. university (reviewed on a case-by-case basis).
• Minimum of five years professional experience in building and managing library collections in print and digital formats, including management of funds.
• Knowledge and understanding of 21st century collections issues for research libraries, emerging practices, standards, and trends relating to collection development and management in an academic or research library environment.
• Demonstrated evidence of successful implementation of data-informed strategies.
• Demonstrated evidence of success to work independently, as well as collaboratively, to plan, coordinate, and implement effective projects.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both orally and in writing.
• Excellent organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Record of research, publication, service, and scholarly achievement to warrant appointment with tenure at the Associate Professor level or above.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead innovative program activities critical to the Libraries’ collection strategies such as engaging in consortial purchasing; building and stewarding collections; pursuing sustainable publishing models and open access initiatives that align with university research and teaching objectives; periodic and on-going review of continuations; integrating new kinds of purchased or licensed content into collection building; and making selection decisions for relocation of print materials, retention, and de-duplication.
• Provide leadership and coordination for collections-related projects and initiatives.
• Encourage a culture of innovation, collaboration, and shared stewardship responsibilities.
• Develop and implement collecting and fund management strategies in alignment with the university’s needs and the Libraries’ strategic directions.
• Facilitate effective and appropriate use of all funds in a materials budget of over $17 million dollars, including monitoring and developing strategy for managing all central funds in the materials budget. Manage special purpose funds and selected endowments as needed. Create allocations and delegate responsibility as needed for collections funds to other Libraries employees and provide training and leadership for them.
• Provide leadership for all space planning affecting Libraries collections.
• Engage with partners within the Libraries, with other campus constituencies, and with consortial partners to advance strategic activities in collection development and management.
• Deploy a program of data analysis to inform collections strategy and apply data to collections decisions and other activities in the Libraries that can improve user experience in accessing and using collections.
• Deploy practices that seek input from other Libraries divisions and units to inform collection building and collection management.
• Provide effective and consistent communications with campus constituencies regarding Libraries’ strategies and programs for collection development and management.
• professional engagement and research, presenting and publishing in appropriate venues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Evidence of ability to develop strategy and lead change across an organization.
• Demonstrated ability to align strategy with local priorities and evolving multi-institutional cooperative environments.
• Demonstrated competencies in analysis, budgeting and planning, assessment and evaluation of library collections.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute effectively to multi-institutional collaborations, especially involving library collections.
• Demonstrated skills in statistical analysis and research design.
• Familiarity with licensing and copyright issues.
• Evidence of successful and creative management of staff and operations.