Head Librarian, Acquisitions Services

Head Librarian, Acquisitions Services

Perry Castañeda Library – University of Texas Libraries

The University of Texas at Austin

The Head Librarian, Acquisitions Services, serves as a member of the management team within the Technical Services division of the UT Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.  This position oversees the unit’s staff and coordinates the daily operations and processing phases of acquisitions of resources. The position reports to the Associate Director for Technical Services, The University of Texas Libraries.  Working hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm or as arranged with the supervisor for a total of 40 hours per week.

In detail, the responsibilities are to:

• Provide administrative oversight of all acquisitions staff, processes, and accompanying fiscal responsibilities for acquisition of resources.
• Provide leadership and expertise including management and coordination of acquisitions functions.
• Review, negotiate and troubleshoots licenses in conjunction with UT Purchasing Office.
• Communicate with external providers, including publishers, vendors, content providers and technology suppliers.
• Serve as a resource person to the rest of the UT Libraries on acquisitions related functions.
• Seek and identify new approaches to management, organization and delivery of content resources.
• Coordinate and oversee the SFX openURL resolver, the Serials Solutions ERM (Resource Manager), and the Innovative Interface’s Millennium acquisitions and serials modules.
• Directly supervise 2 full-time professional staff and 2 full-time paraprofessional staff; and indirectly supervise 16 support staff plus student workers.

Required Qualifications: 

MLS from an ALA accredited graduate program.  A minimum of three years of professional level acquisitions and/or selection experience in an academic or research library.  Familiarity with licensing and copyright issues.  Knowledge of e-resource management tools, trends and practices.

Experience working with a variety of library vendors and knowledge of library industry acquisitions practices. Experience working with an integrated library system’s acquisitions and serials modules. 

Experience directing and assessing the work of others in a supervisory role.  Demonstrated leadership potential. Demonstrated sound judgment and decision making skills.  Demonstrated experience establishing priorities, meeting deadlines, and organizing work effectively. Demonstrated strong analytic and problem-solving skills. Experience with management of library materials budget. Excellent analytical, communication (written and spoken) and interpersonal skills.  Ability to work effectively with colleagues and others in a rapidly changing, complex, and diverse environment. Ability to work as a team member and independently. Demonstrated commitment to providing excellent customer service.

Preferred Qualifications:

Three years’ or more professional level experience managing an acquisitions department or area of acquisitions in an academic or research library. Experience negotiating and monitoring licenses.  Three-five years supervisory experience.  Experience with Innovative Interface’s Millennium acquisitions and serials modules, with SFX, and an ERM.  Evidence of team-building, initiative, creative energy and resourcefulness. Demonstrated commitment to providing excellent customer service. Demonstrated participation in library, university, state, and national programs and initiatives.

Salary and Benefits:  $60,000 annually or more, depending upon qualifications and experience.  No state or local income tax.  Standard state benefits package including annual vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, retirement plans, and health insurance options (comprehensive major medical, dental, vision, life, and disability).  Deferred compensation and tax sheltered annuity programs also available.

Recruiting Schedule:  To ensure consideration application materials should be submitted online as soon as possible, preferably by July 15, 2011. All interested candidates must complete an Online Application by going to:  http://www.utexas.edu/hr/prospective/apply/process.html#completing).  Please follow all applicant instructions given. When applying online, please also refer to job posting number 11-06-07-01-0080 (http://utdirect.utexas.edu/pnjobs/pnjobsvw.WBX?comp=0&job_nbr=110607010080).  An email confirmation will be sent, within 2-3 working days, to those who apply online along with a set of job-related questions that applicants will be asked to return to the department in order for their application materials to be complete. For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact:  Library Human Resources: lib-HR@lib.utexas.edu [512-495-4360].

The University of Texas Libraries has a strong commitment to diversity and encourages applications and nominations from traditionally underrepresented groups. 

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer