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Collection Strategy Librarian

Employer
American University
Location
District of Columbia, United States
Salary
Salary Not Specified
Date posted
Jul 25, 2022


American University Library invites applications from innovative, energetic, and service-oriented librarians to fill a continuing appointment faculty position supporting the University Library, beginning as soon as possible and subject to budgetary approval. Rank will be dependent upon experience and stature in the field at the assistant or associate level.

Responsibilities : The Collections Strategy Librarian provides leadership, vision, and strategic direction for American University Library in the development, preservation, and management of the library’s general collections, ensuring that the collection is able to support the mission of American University and respond to changes in the curriculum, faculty research, changes in scholarly publishing, and the American University’s strategic directions. As such, this position in conjunction with Technical Services is responsible for strategically allocating and managing the library’s collection budgets, both university allocated and endowment.

The Collections Strategy Librarian is a member of Research, Teaching and Learning (RTL) and reports to the Director of RTL. Under the leadership of the Director of RTL, this position works closely with subject librarians and staff/faculty in Technical Services, helping to guide collections work. This position coordinates the collections work of the subject liaisons and works with staff in Library Access, Discovery and Assessment for ongoing collections assessment. Additionally, the Collections Strategy Librarian participates in broader initiatives as part of the library and represents American University on the WRLC Coordinated Collections Committee and works to advance our cooperative collections work within the consortium.

This position is a member of library faculty and participates in university faculty governance activities. The Collections Strategy Librarian actively supports DEI initiatives within the University Library. Continuing Appointment line library faculty members are expected to be active contributors to the field of librarianship and to participate in campus-wide and library-wide activities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities :

Collections
  • Collaborates with Technical Services, Administrative Services, and American University Library’s Development Officer to strategically allocate and manage library’s collections budgets, both university allocated and endowment.
  • Reviews collections budget data and conducts assessment in order to lead informed collections decisions—e.g. collection acquisitions, cancellations, and deaccessions.
  • Provide engaged and coordinated leadership in efforts to develop American University’s collections and collection access through support of initiatives that create a more effective, equitable and open scholarly information ecosystem—e.g. selecting OA collections for inclusion in our library system, working with the Scholarly Communication Librarian on other open initiatives.
  • Analyze and report on internal and external data and trends regarding collection growth, usage, costs, and benchmarks to inform decisions regarding the collections budget and to develop collection management and development strategies.
  • Conduct analysis and provide documentation for accreditation assessment and all course and program reviews and course proposals as they relate to library collections.
  • Provide leadership and coordination for the collection development activities of the subject librarians
    • Permanent chair of the library’s collection management body.
    • Manage the collection calendar/schedule to be sure that all deadlines are met.
    • Keep subject librarians informed about technological and collections development and trends.
    • Coordinate the collections-oriented work of the subject librarians—e.g. renewals, reviews, prospective purchases, weeding, planning big purchases, gifts, etc.
    • Oversee approval plans profiles in coordination with subject librarians.
    • Participate in the training and mentorship of subject librarians related to collection development in conjunction with direct supervisors.
    • Assist individual subject librarians with collections data and analysis, including reports from Alma Analytics.
  • Responsible for the general/interdisciplinary and library science funds and for all collections and products that are purchased with these funds.
  • Responsible for selecting materials for specialized collections that do not fall into a specific subject selector’s area, excluding special collections.
  • Responsible for communication regarding collections including announcing new resources and communications with faculty on significant changes.
  • Represent American University Library on the WRLC Coordinated Collections Committee and participate in consortia collection development.
  • Represent American University Library in other cooperative collection development efforts, as they develop.
  • Participates in the library’s advancement, fundraising and stewardship efforts as they relate to collection development.
  • As a member of RTL, participate in the unit’s information literacy instruction and research assistance programs.
Service to the Profession
  • Participate in advancing the profession of Librarianship or another academic field through original research, relevant service to professional and scholarly societies, publications, and impactful presentations in professional or scholarly venues.
Service to the University
  • Participate in the shared governance of American University and American University Library through active participation on university and library committees and engagement in work that meaningfully furthers the university and library outside of the primary duties of the position.
Other Duties
  • Actively contribute to library-wide and departmental initiatives and activities.
  • The Collection Strategist Librarian may be asked to perform other duties as operational needs arise.
Salary: $70,000.00 - $82,000.00

Position available: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

ABOUT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

The American University Library www.american.edu/library serves the AU community through a collection of more than 1,700,000 print and electronic book titles and 180,000 media and sound recordings. Notable collections include a branch music library, a strong visual media collection, special collections and university archives, a K-12 curriculum materials center. AU Library has affiliate collections at the Washington College of Law and at the Wesley Theological Seminary. The AU Library collection totals over 184,000 journal subscriptions in all subjects. The Library has 16 library faculty, 61 full-time staff and other professionals and about 116 student assistants. The library's budget is about $17 million. The American University Library is an active member of the Washington Research Library Consortium, and it holds membership in LOCKSS, SPARC, the Patriot League Libraries Group and the University Libraries Group.

American University Library is a Founding Member of the Diversity Alliance for Academic Libraries.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

American University values open and honest inquiry, servant leadership, and the affirmation of the human dignity of all. American University envisions a thriving community where individuals of all identities and experiences are understood, appreciated, and fully included, and where equitable treatment, opportunities, and outcomes prevail.

AU’s plan for Inclusive Excellence, adopted in January 2018, reflects the University’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—the cornerstone for achieving institutional and educational excellence.

To learn more about how AU is infusing diversity, equity, and inclusion at a strategic, tactical, and operational level, please visit:

https://www.american.edu/president/diversity/inclusive-excellence/index.cfm .

AU Library Diversity Statement

The AU Library is committed to diversity and inclusion by providing an inclusive, welcoming, and adaptable environment for the community. The Library recognizes that this is an ongoing process and aims to engage in diversity and inclusion as more than just numeric representation. The Library will continue to work on intentionally diversifying its personnel, services, and collections in meaningful ways.

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • An ALA accredited M.L.S. is required.
  • 3+ years of experience in collection development and strategy in an academic/research/special library.
  • Proven ability to take initiative, prioritize work to meet deadlines, and work independently and collaboratively.
  • Demonstrated commitment to expanding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in collection building.
  • Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrated enthusiasm for experimentation and implementing new services and programs in this rapidly changing scholarly landscape.
  • A collaborative approach to problem solving and working across organizational boundaries.
  • Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to create and utilize data-informed collection analysis.
This institution is using Interfolio’s ByCommittee to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.

For help in signing up, accessing your account, or submitting your application please check out our help and support section or get in touch via email at help@interfolio.com or phone at (877) 997-8807.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Should you have any questions please reach out to the Search Chair, Gwendolyn Reece, Ph.D, ( greece@american.edu ).

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