Continuing Resources Librarian (Open Rank)

Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.

As the largest university library system in the Washington D.C.-Baltimore area, the University of Maryland Libraries serve more than 37,500 students and 4,200 faculty of the flagship College Park campus. The University of Maryland Libraries share the teaching, learning and research goals of the university. Its role as a key academic resource is evident in its service to the academic community and its actionable strategic plan. Recent membership in the Big Ten Academic Alliance is particularly meaningful to the University Libraries and will further propel the university’s ascendancy in academic excellence.

With collections including 4 million volumes and more than 40,000 serials subscriptions, the University of Maryland Libraries allocate 75 percent of its materials budget to electronic resources. Maryland ranks 39th among the 115 member libraries of the Association of Research Libraries and has an operating budget of $23.7 million. The University of Maryland Libraries benefit from being situated geographically within minutes of the nation’s capital and its departments, agencies, and research centers.

The Continuing Resources Librarian has three main areas of responsibility: (1) Obtaining and making discoverable continuing resources of various formats for the University of Maryland Libraries and managing the continuing resource lifecycle, from purchase through cancellation; (2) Maintaining records in various systems for Libraries collection materials for the purposes of inventory control, bibliographic control, and facilitating discovery, and (3) Providing customer service to Libraries users (whether internal or external) regarding questions of access to, or description of, Libraries Collections materials. This position, reporting to the Head of Acquisitions, Continuing Resources, and Data Services, is part of a highly committed team, whose mission is to maximize the Libraries’ support for the teaching and research programs of the University of Maryland at College Park. The Continuing Resources Librarian will be expected to develop innovative strategies and work methodologies and to promote and foster partnerships with other library colleagues involved in collection development, budgeting, cataloging, resource discovery and access, and resource preservation. This position has responsibility for providing data on collections budget administration and analysis.

The Continuing Resources Librarian evaluates work methods and workflows in light of new supporting services, financial opportunities and technological advancements. It also provides leadership through active participation on committees at the department, division, Libraries, University and consortium level as well as within the profession.

Librarians hold faculty status and contribute to the teaching, service and research mission of the University. As a member of the Library faculty, the Continuing Resources Librarian has an obligation to remain professionally informed, to pursue the discovery of new knowledge related to the field of expertise, to disseminate the results of scholarly work, and to seek opportunities for professional service at the Libraries, campus, state, or national level.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

Master’s degree in library science from a graduate program accredited by the American Library Association or equivalent professional degree with relevant library acquisitions, serials, or electronic resources experience.

Experience:

Three or more years of serials or acquisitions experience in an academic or research library, at least one of which was spent as a professional librarian. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to solve problems analytically, and to work collaboratively in diverse environments in order to achieve goals. Experience with automated acquisitions systems and automated library systems in an academic research library. Knowledge of acquisitions and serial practices and procedures; knowledge of basic cataloging and bibliographic principles for serials; knowledge of serial/electronic resources issues and emerging trends; knowledge of publishing trends, book and subscription trade. Competence in project and data management, familiarity with Excel spreadsheets and project management tools. Must have ability to manage a broad variety of tasks in response to varying time pressures with shifting priorities and changing constraints. Evidence of ability to interact collaboratively and work effectively within a diverse environment. Evidence of strong service orientation; an ability to anticipate customer needs and seek ways of providing satisfactory solutions. Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to communicate clearly, knowledgeably, and personably, orally and in writing with all persons potentially affected by the scope of the work.

PREFERRED: 

Education:

Second graduate degree 

Experience:

Ability to create and manage organizational change; to maintain a systematic perspective; to involve and influence others to accept new ideas or innovative approaches; to lead in a highly collaborative organization. Experience with system and data migration. Experience with consortial relationships. Demonstrated competencies in managing or troubleshooting electronic resources. Experience with developing, implementing, or using ERMs, Discovery Services, or Library Services Platforms (LSP’s). Demonstrated record of contributions to the profession in service and scholarship. Coding experience with Python or other skills used to manipulate data. 

For the full position description and faculty requirements, please go to http://www.lib.umd.edu/hr/employment-

opportunities/staff-faculty-positions.

Position is appointed to Librarian Faculty Ranks as established by the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. Rank at appointment is based on the successful applicant’s experience and relevant credentials. Applicant must meet the Libraries' requirements for promotion, which includes a commitment to professional development, service, and self-directed research, scholarship, and/or creative activities. For additional information, consult the following website: http://www.president.umd.edu/policies/2014-ii-100b.html.