Professional acquisitions position of possible interest – please excuse cross-posting.
Chief Acquisitions Librarian and Head of Acquisitions Department
Technical Services
Yale University Library
Rank: Librarian III-IV
The University and the Library
The Yale University Library, as one of the world's leading research libraries, collects, organizes, preserves, and provides access to and services for a rich and unique record of human thought and creativity. It fosters intellectual growth and supports the teaching and research missions of Yale University and scholarly communities worldwide. A distinctive strength is its rich spectrum of resources, including approximately thirteen million volumes and information in all media, ranging from ancient papyri to early printed books to electronic databases. The Library is engaging in numerous projects to expand access to its physical and digital collections. Housed in twenty-two buildings including the Sterling Memorial Library, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, and the new Bass Library, it employs a dynamic and diverse staff of nearly six hundred who offer innovative and flexible services to library readers. To learn more about Yale University Library and its collections and services, visit www.library.yale.edu.
Within the University Library, Technical Services departments pursue a course of continual change and innovation in building integrated, university-wide information access systems. These systems are designed to provide readers timely access to new materials in all formats as well as a high-quality bibliographic record of Yale's extraordinary library collections, which have developed over the last three centuries. Our collections continue to grow at more than 200,000 volumes per year, including an increasing number of materials in digital form.
Position General Purpose
The Chief Acquisitions Librarian and Head of the Acquisitions Department reports to the Director of Technical Services. Exercises leadership for the policies and procedures used in all units of the Library for ordering, receiving, and paying, and the physical processing of Library materials in a changing and technologically sophisticated environment. Collaborates daily with other Library acquisitions units, with staff throughout the Library, and with vendors and publishers to provide optimal access to the Yale University Library community.
In addition, the Chief Acquisitions Librarian heads the very busy central Acquisitions Department in the Sterling Memorial Library. The Librarian is responsible for fostering a team approach in the Department, comprised of approximately 35 staff members, organized into five service units: Order Support, Monograph Support, Fiscal Support, Acquisitions Operations Management, Serials Support and Preparations. The Acquisitions Department annually places over 20,000 orders for both serials and monographs, receives over 90,000 serial and monographic titles, about 60% of which are from foreign sources, provides full-level copy cataloging for nearly 21,000 titles at the point of receipt, is responsible for the receipt of nearly 30,000 periodical issues, the binding of 11,000 completed periodical volumes, and processes payments of between $9-10 million (USD). The department also processes exchange items and gifts, including the preparation of gift acknowledgements for the University Librarian’s signature. The Department makes widespread use of approval and prepayment plans, vendors' online ordering systems, available technology for invoicing and renewals, batch loading of MARC records, and also has a gifts and exchange program.
The Chief Acquisitions Librarian serves on the Library's Technical Services Management Group, the Library Management Council, and various other key governing groups within the Library. The Chief Acquisitions Librarian also chairs the Acquisitions Services Group. Yale University Library is committed to technological innovation, ongoing process improvement, and staff development. The Chief Acquisitions Librarian is key in achieving transformation that improves services, achieves efficiencies, and supports the fiscal integrity of the Library. Librarians at Yale participate actively in the Library's management, assessment, training, and development programs; contribute to implementing the mission of the Library, and are active professionally.
Responsibilities
Exercises leadership for the policies and procedures used in all units of the library for ordering, receiving, and paying, and processing for Library materials in a changing and technologically sophisticated environment. Heads the central Acquisitions Department in the Sterling Memorial Library. Responsible for fostering a team approach and achieving operational goals in the Department, comprised of 35 staff members organized into five (5) service units: Acquisitions Operations Management, Order Support, Monograph Support, Preparation/Serials Support, and Fiscal Support. Supports the electronic interfaces with vendors for acquisitions functions in the Sterling Memorial Library and for all School and Departmental libraries. Takes a leadership role in the identification and implementation of technology to support greater efficiencies in the acquisition function throughout the Library system.
Responsible for vendor relations and payments to vendors, including securing the annual deposit account estimates from US, UK, and Western European vendors and coordination of deposit payments with Research Services and Collections selectors and the Library Business Office, including requesting invoices from vendors. Makes recommendations to the Associate University Librarian (AUL) for Collections and International Programs and to Selectors regarding deposit payments to vendors based on rollover amounts at the end of the fiscal year. Participates in vendor selection and evaluation in conjunction with the AUL for Collection and International Programs and Selectors. Oversees the payment of the annual renewal of periodical subscriptions for the Sterling Memorial Library. Provides leadership, support, and coordination for the annual fiscal year rollover, including coordination with the Chief Administrative Officer, the Associate University Librarian for Collections and International Programs, and the Director of Technical Services. Creates and ensures that the “End-Of-Year” schedule is implemented, in all acquisitions units, system-wide. Coordinates system testing and the implementation of updates to the Library’s on-line management system. Identifies training needs for all acquisitions units in the Library’s on-line management system and in vendor systems.
Heads the Acquisitions Services Group (ASG) and is a member of the Collection Development Council (CDC) and the Technical Services Management Group (TSMG). Serves on various other key governing groups within the Library. Performs other tasks and duties, as directed, related to position responsibilities, and/or to the goals, objectives, and overall mission of the Library’s technical services program. May be required to assist with disaster recovery efforts.
May be assigned to work at West Campus location in West Haven, CT.
Qualifications
Master's degree from an ALA-accredited program of library and information science, and five years of professional library experience and demonstrated professional accomplishments appropriate to the rank. Demonstrated achievement supervising staff and administering acquisitions or serial work, preferably in an academic library setting. Appointment to the rank of Librarian IV requires eight years of professional library experience and demonstrated professional accomplishments appropriate to the rank.
High-level time management and project/planning management skills. Ability to be innovative in problem-solving, to complete tasks in the most effective manner using the available resources. Demonstrated success in working effectively within established guidelines, budgets, and procedures. A high level of numeracy and ability to deal effectively with complex budgets. Ability to assist managers to review and revise workflows to accommodate system improvements, new vendor services, and client requirements. Experience in collecting and analyzing production and performance data. Excellent grasp of domestic and foreign book and serials trade, including an appreciation of current developments and trends and proven expertise in fiscal management and bibliographic control. Creative and dynamic leadership and team-building abilities. Excellent supervisory skills and the ability to mentor staff. Strong service orientation and problem-solving abilities. Excellent analytical and organizational skills. Commitment to ongoing process improvement is key in this position.
Strong computer skills, including experience with bibliographic utilities, automated library management systems such as Voyager, the World Wide Web, and workstation-based software. Demonstrated skill using word processing and desktop publishing and presentation software such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Microsoft Office Publisher. Ability to learn software programs related to operational needs. Excellent oral and written communication skills; experience in the preparation and public presentation of information sessions for internal and external stakeholders and audiences. Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate in a personable, courteous, and professional manner. Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in working with others to secure information and cooperation across a diverse group of stakeholders and interested parties, internal and external. Demonstrated ability to work well independently and with others, including vendors, at a wide range of organizational levels and in a rapidly changing and demanding environment. Demonstrated experience in working with teams, and the ability to adapt quickly to new and changing situations. Demonstrated ability to manage large scale operational departments and to apply the knowledge of workflows in large academic library technical services and processing areas. Proven hands-on experience in analyzing the operational needs of functional areas.
Salary and Benefits
Rank and competitive salary will be based upon the successful candidate's qualifications and experience. Full benefits package including pro-rated 22 vacation days; 18 holiday, recess and personal days; comprehensive health care; TIAA/CREF or Yale retirement plan; and relocation assistance. Applications consisting of a cover letter, resume, and the names of three professional references should be sent by creating an account and applying online at www.yale.edu/jobs for immediate consideration - the STARS req ID for this position is 8515BR. Please be sure to reference #8515BR in your cover letter.
Background Check Requirements
All external candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment screening. All offers are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
Yale University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Yale values diversity in its faculty, staff, and students and strongly encourages applications from women and members of underrepresented minority groups.
