Collection Development Librarian

The Marriott Library at the University of Utah is in the process of completely rethinking the way in which it acquires and provides access to knowledge and information resources for the University community.  In an information environment characterized by deep instability, one in which the functions of publishers, vendors, authors, and libraries are in radical flux, such a rethink is not only essential, but unavoidable.

In this context, the Library is seeking an energetic, forward-thinking, and patron-focused Collection Development Librarian who can help us envision and implement new collections programs while continuing to provide our patrons with effortless access to needed resources.

Position summary:

Reporting to the Head of Collection Development, the Collection Development Librarian develops and uses knowledge of the University community and the publishing world to select, acquire and make accessible the journals, databases, books and other media needed by the community. Will help to define best professional practices, and models them while helping colleagues work effectively to shape and build the collection. The Collection Development Librarian will focus on new developments in information access while acting as primary contact for traditional collection activities, and will explore and help develop new models of collection building and information access. The Library recently replaced a traditional system of individual subject specialists with a structure of College and Interdisciplinary Teams, who collaborate in collection building and campus outreach across broad subject areas; the Collection Development Librarian will work closely with these teams to train their members in use of new selection tools, and to keep them abreast of policy and procedural changes and relevant developments in the world of scholarly communication.

Representative Duties:

·         Day-to-day integration of collection development activities with those of Acquisitions and the Director of Planning and Assessment.

·         Coordination with College and Interdisciplinary Teams

·         Oversee major journal packages

·         Database licensing

·         Monitor discoverability and access issues related to online resources.

·         Collection / use analysis

·         Collection oversight

See the Marriott Library webpage to review the complete position description at http://libtools.library.utah.edu/mlib_job_list/viewer/ .

Required qualifications

·         ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS, by January 2011

·         Experience with issues and processes related to academic collection development

·         Ability to lead change associated with new and emerging forms of technology and librarianship

·         Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative, collaborative working relationships

·         Strong service orientation and patron-centered attitude

·         Excellent interpersonal skills

·         Proficiency using both PC and Macintosh platforms

·         Proficiency with basic productivity software, in particular Microsoft Word

·         Experience or demonstrated aptitude in learning and using new types of technology and software

·         Experience or demonstrated aptitude in project management

·         Excellent written and oral communication skills

·         Demonstrated ability to work effectively both alone and with groups in a collaborative, diverse environment

·         Demonstrated ability to be flexible and positive in a changing work environment

·         Demonstrated organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize work

·         Ability to meet the University’s requirements for promotion and continuing appointment (tenure equivalency)

·         Successful completion of a criminal background check, as required by Utah state law (http://www.regulations.utah.edu/humanResources/5-130.html)

Preferred qualifications

·         Two years’ collection development experience in an academic library

·         Reading comprehension of at least one European or Asian language other than English

·         Successful experience working with teams

·         Experience developing and implementing collection development policies

·         Experience with collection evaluation and assessment

·         Strong presentation skills

Salary

$45,000 minimum

Benefits

Excellent benefits calculated at approximately 35% of salary including TIAA-CREF, medical, dental, generous paid sick and vacation accrual, sabbaticals, professional development time.  Marriott Library is an ARL library with holding of nearly 3 million volumes, 32,000 journals in electronic and print formats, and a considerable number of other networked electronic resources.  The University, with a student population of 29,000 is situated on a 1,500 acre campus in Salt Lake City.  The library has just completed a large-scale renovation which includes a state-of-the-art Knowledge Commons and a center to create multimedia digital content.  Teaching facilities, used by campus and library instructors, include 18 classrooms, labs and seminar rooms and a 250 seat auditorium.

Salt Lake has a population of over 1 million and offers residents a wide variety of cultural entertainment and recreational activities, all located along the Wasatch Mountain Range. Information can be found on the web at http://www.utah.com/, www.slcgov.com/visitors and http://www.saltlakecityutah.org/relocate.htm.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Send a detailed letter of application addressing how your experience matches the qualifications; curriculum vitae; and names and contact information, including email, mail and phone numbers, of three references electronically to Kris.Arnold@utah.edu.  Applications received by October 31, 2010 will be given full consideration.

The University of Utah is an EO/AA Employer.  We encourage applications from women and minorities and provide reasonable accommodations to known disabilities of applicants and employees.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds and who possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students.