Collection Strategies Librarian

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuit university with a 200-acre campus located along the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprised of approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students pursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School of Engineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, and School of Education and Human Development. As an expression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values.

Job Description:

DIVISION: Academic

UNIT: DiMenna-Nyselius Library

BASIC FUNCTION: Oversees the selection, acquisition, accessibility, and deselection of library collections, in all formats, in support of teaching, learning, and research at Fairfield University. Facilitates Collection Development and Management Committee (CDMC) meetings, composed of Faculty Partnership Program librarians who develop collections for the disciplines they support. Manages the budget and endowment funds for library collections. Prepares invoices, works with vendors, and monitors the book approval plans and the licensing and renewal of electronic resources. Performs data analysis to inform collection decisions and to populate assessment reports. Provides guidance and leadership for the Library’s interlibrary loan unit.

UNUSUAL WORK CONDITIONS: Physical requirements: mobility; must be able to lift materials off shelf. Availability for evening and weekend work, as needed, is required.

EDUCATION: Graduate degree in Library & Information Science (MLS or equivalent) from an ALA-accredited program, second Master’s in subject-specific field, or equivalent experience, is preferred.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE: Two years or more experience managing print and electronic resources in an academic library. Knowledge of best practices, current trends and issues in collections management. Experience negotiating with vendors and working with consortia. Experience with budgets, resource sharing, approval plans, electronic resource management, and collections assessment. Strong commitment to service and an ability to effectively communicate with librarians, faculty, and other stakeholders about collection management topics. Organization, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion with a desire to develop and steward diverse and inclusive collections.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Second Master’s in subject-specific field, or equivalent experience. Supervisory experience. Experience reviewing and amending licenses for electronic resources. Experience and skill utilizing data analysis and metrics. Experience managing budgets. Experience working with consortia.

EXEMPT: Yes

SUPERVISION OF PERSONNEL: Interlibrary Loan Specialist

REPORTS TO: Associate Dean for Technical Services and the Budget

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Provides leadership, management, and strategic direction for Collections and Interlibrary Loan. This includes:

• staying current with emerging trends in resource sharing and collection development, management, and assessment,
  
  
• integrating interlibrary loan data for collection development purposes and annual reports,
  
  
• creating and overseeing policies, procedures, and processes related to collections and interlibrary loan,
  
  
• chairing Collection Development and Management Committee (CDMC), and advising library leadership on collections issues,
  
  
• working with Faculty Partnership Program librarians to develop and assess collections,
  
  
• establishing collection priorities and communicating them clearly to faculty and Faculty Partner librarians,
  
  
• monitoring all resource fund expenditures and tracking against budget allocations,
  
  
• gathering and analyzing data about the library’s collections, including usage and expenditures, to create reports and inform collection development decisions.
  
  

Provides library systems technology recommendations and guidance on best practices. This includes:

• possessing a thorough understanding of Alma, including the acquisitions, cataloging, and serials processes. Areas of expertise include management of resource records, order records, vendor tracking, usage statistics, licensing terms, and other account and subscription information,
  
  
• examining and improving workflows and processes to improve efficiency and, where applicable, save money,
  
  
• collaborating with the Acquisition and Cataloging Strategies Librarian to improve and maintain accurate order records.
  
  

Oversees the Library’s procurement and deselection practices. This includes:

• developing relationships with all vendors and consortial partners,
  
  
• overseeing management, maintenance, and accessibility of electronic resources (databases, ebooks, ejournals, streaming media),
  
  
• negotiating and maintaining licenses with vendors/publishers, including the renewal of resources and establishing database trials,
  
  
• working with vendors to improve and resolve electronic resource issues,
  
  
• overseeing the management, maintenance, and accessibility of Library collections for resource sharing purposes,
  
  
• managing the acquisition and evaluation of material gifts and donations,
  
  
• participating on New Program reviews and providing input to campus on library needs,
  
  
• leading the evaluation and deselection of materials of all resources, regardless of format.
  
  

Manages the Library’s collection development budget. This includes:

• monitoring and analyzing the collection development budget,
  
  
• making recommendations for budget allocations and expenditures,
  
  
• managing and producing reports on gift fund expenditures.
  
  

Supervises and supports staff. This includes:

• recruiting, hiring, and training,
  
  
• coaching and mentoring, as appropriate,
  
  
• meeting with all staff members individually and as a department/unit on a regular basis,
  
  
• overseeing the flow and quality of work,
  
  
• coordinating staff schedules,
  
  
• communicating effectively with staff concerning department/unit and library-wide matters,
  
  
• evaluating performance.
  
  

Participates in the growth, development and professional work of the Library. This includes:

• embodying the mission and values of the Library and the University in our everyday work life,
  
  
• communicating effectively with supervisor concerning pertinent Library and/or University matters,
  
  
• assisting in the discussion and formulation of policies and procedures,
  
  
• keeping current with developments in job responsibilities,
  
  
• acting as a responsible participant in staff, committee, and/or task force meetings,
  
  
• attending and participating in Library and University events,
  
  
• monitoring developments in librarianship through attendance at meetings and workshops, membership in professional associations, and the reading of professional literature,
  
  
• promoting and communicating the value of the Library to the community.
  
  

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

Candidates applying by November 18, 2022 will be given first consideration.

This position is based at Fairfield University’s Fairfield, CT campus and is not eligible for immigration assistance.

Category:

Academic - Admin

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Load a resume or CV first, then upload supporting documents including a cover letter at the bottom of the third page under the "My Experience" section where it says to upload a Resume/CV. You will be able to upload up to 5 other documents in this section. You will be unable to edit your application, so please have all documents available before applying. Faculty Positions : If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email the additional documents to the applicable contact in the job description. Staff positions : If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email them to hr@fairfield.edu