Collection Management and Assessment Librarian

Collection Management and Assessment Librarian

https://hr.wwu.edu/careers-faculty?job=499165

Position

Western Libraries invites applications for a full-time tenure-track Collection Management & Assessment Librarian.  This librarian works with colleagues across the Libraries and University to develop, manage, and assess library collections.  This position is responsible for developing and maintaining a coordinated program of assessment for both physical and virtual collections within an Accessibility, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) framework; leading the routine management of physical collections; collaborating on collection development initiatives; and supporting electronic resource management.  This position is also responsible for some configuration, use, and maintenance of relevant functions within the Libraries’ integrated library system, Alma, such as Analytics and location management.  The Collection Management & Assessment Librarian serves as a member of various Libraries groups, including the Collection Maintenance Group, the Scholarly Resources Group, and the Alma Management Team, and works collaboratively with colleagues on a regular basis. This position may serve on university or consortium committees and task groups.

About the Libraries

Western Libraries proudly serves as an intellectual crossroads for the university community and as an innovative partner in Western's teaching and research mission.  The Libraries collections include over 1.5 million items, supported by an annual resource access budget of $2.1 million.  Areas of particular collection strength include Pacific Northwest Studies, Children’s Literature, and Mongolian Studies.  The Libraries works to advance cultural competence; embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion; and vigorously oppose any form of prejudice, discrimination, and hate.  The Libraries is particularly committed to diversity and excellence in our faculty, staff, and students, and we encourage applications from candidates who share and can contribute to this commitment through active engagement in the Libraries, university, and wider community.

This position is part of the Libraries’ Collection Services Division. The division facilitates and coordinates the management of the Libraries’ collections. This collection management includes stewardship of the library’s resource access budget and active engagement at every stage of the lifecycle of library materials. The division’s work encompasses but is not limited to the selection, acquisition, organization, delivery, and preservation of content, as well as efforts to make content discoverable and accessible; regular and ongoing collection assessment; careful monitoring of physical space; leveraging regional and national relationships to supplement local holdings; and one-on-one service to end users.  While all members of Collection Services are encouraged to seek professional growth opportunities beyond their immediate duties, faculty positions have a service requirement to participate in university shared governance and serve on committees and task forces to support a collaborative and equitable organizational culture.  At least one hour each week is reserved for professional development related to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in order to inform day-to-day work and foster integration of ADEI practices into all other position duties.

University/Location

Western Washington University, with over 16,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty.  The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, on the ancestral homelands of the Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Tribe, Indigenous Peoples who have lived in the Salish Sea basin and the North Cascades watershed from time immemorial. The university acknowledges historical injustices, seeks respectful relationships with our indigenous neighbors, and expresses gratitude for their ongoing stewardship of our shared lands and waterways.

Bellingham is a community of 90,000 with the advantages of a larger city and the charm of a coastal town, located 20 miles from the Canadian border.  With a robust arts scene and a thriving local, sustainable food movement, the city and its environs feature celebrated bookstores, coffee roasting, and craft brewing.  Bellingham's accessibility includes an international airport, the I-5 corridor, Amtrak Cascades line, and serves as the southern terminus of the Alaska ferry.  The region offers ample outdoor recreation opportunities, with proximity to the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades mountain range. Seattle and Vancouver, BC are 90- and 60-minute drives from downtown.

Position Responsibilities

Serve as the collection assessment lead. Develop, maintain, and evaluate a coordinated program of assessment for the Libraries’ physical and virtual collections, including ad hoc and routine projects, in close collaboration with the Assistant Director and Director of Collections.

Bring an Accessibility, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) lens to building, maintaining, and improving the libraries’ collections. This will include an initial assessment of the Libraries’ collections within an ADEI framework; evaluating collections, practices, and policies on a regular basis; and recommending and implementing dynamic, progressive, and systemic changes to address areas of deficiency.

Serve as the lead for physical collection management. Coordinate and implement routine internal processes such as regular inventory, withdrawals, growth planning, and collections shifts. Plan and execute special projects in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Collections and the Manager, Circulation & Reserves.

Collaborate on the planning and implementation of collection development initiatives in partnership with the Scholarly Resources Group, the Subject Teams, and others.

Oversee configuration, use, maintenance, and ongoing improvement of relevant functions such as Analytics and physical location management within the integrated library system, Alma, in collaboration with other systems experts.

Serve as a back-up and support for day-to-day serials and electronic resources management.

Professional development activities related to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in order to inform day-to-day work and foster integration of ADEI practices into all other position duties, including connecting with university stakeholders to identify community needs and collections strengths and weaknesses.

 

Other duties as assigned; committee work; professional development, Scholarship, Service.

Required Qualifications

• MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution or international equivalent before July 1, 2022.
• At least three years of experience working with library collections and significant knowledge of current issues and/or practices in collection management and assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate constructive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders from a diverse range of perspectives and backgrounds
• Strong attention to detail; experience successfully managing competing priorities and multiple projects simultaneously
• Evidence of activities related to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) and the ability to apply that knowledge to day-to-day work; or concrete goals demonstrating potential for growth in this area
• Advanced knowledge of Excel or other quantitative analysis tool
• Demonstrated ability to produce reports, visualize data, and effectively communicate results and analysis with a wide range of audiences

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of project management strategies and techniques
• Experience working with Ex Libris’ Alma system, including Alma Analytics
• Experience assessing academic library collections
• Experience managing physical library collections on an ongoing or project basis
• Experience configuring an ILS, especially functions related to terms of use, locations, fulfillment
• Experience managing e-resources
• Experience working with data analysis and visualization tools, including but not limited to Alma Analytics and Tableau

Search Timeline

Please note this timeline is subject to change:

• Accepting applications November 15, 2021 - December 31, 2021
• Review of applications through January, 2022
• Phone interviews conducted in early February, 2022
• In-person interviews February through March, 2022
• Offers extended in April, 2022
• Preferred start date in July 2022

Salary & Benefits

• $65,000 minimum salary; negotiable based upon qualifications and experience
• Excellent retirement benefits
• Health and dental benefits
• Vacation and sick leave
• No state income tax
• Professional development funding and leave time

Application Instructions

Applications must address the required and preferred qualifications for the position and should include a detailed cover letter and resume or CV.  The cover letter must explicitly address ALL required qualifications; applications that fail to address a required qualification will not be considered.  Please include evidence or thoughtful reflection on how your commitment to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion has impacted your work or will impact the responsibilities of this position.  Please include a sample of your work related to library collections that demonstrates your ability to produce reports, visualize data, and effectively communicate findings.  Your application materials may include relevant work experience from course-related practica, field experiences, or internships.  Please include names, addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers of three professional references.  Please do not include letters of reference with your application materials.

 

Inquiries may be addressed to the search committee chair, Jeff Purdue, at jeff.purdue@wwu.edu or 360-650-7750.

 

To see the full position announcement and apply please see:

https://hr.wwu.edu/careers-faculty?job=499165" href="https://hr.wwu.edu/careers-faculty?job=499165" target="_blank">https://hr.wwu.edu/careers-faculty?job=499165