Collection Development Librarian - Wesleyan University. Reporting to the Associate University Librarian, this position is responsible for providing thoughtful, dynamic leadership in collection assessment and development at Wesleyan University Library. The Library is currently leading an initiative involving faculty, information technology staff and others, to coordinate content management within the University, and the Collection Development Librarian will play a key role in this initiative. This person will closely monitor trends in scholarly communication, working collaboratively with librarians, library staff, faculty, consortial partners, vendors and other organizations to determine how best to provide access to resources needed by the Wesleyan community. Responsibilities include:
Collection development and assessment:
- Ensure intellectual stewardship for library collections by working closely with librarians, faculty, students, vendors, and consortial partners to provide access to resources supporting the curricular, research and other needs of the Wesleyan community.
- Manage collection growth by coordinating the selection, weeding, reformatting and replacement activities of bibliographers and by collaborating with the heads of library units such as the Art Library, Science Library, Special Collections & Archives, Scores & Recordings and Preservation Services. This may include serving as primary bibliographer/selector for one or more broad academic areas.
- Facilitate communication with faculty about library collections. Work with the University Librarian, library liaisons and others to provide a variety of means for faculty to participate in discussions of collections issues and to make specific comments and suggestions.
- Create, document and make accessible a comprehensive collection development policy for print, electronic, audio, visual and emerging formats, involving librarians, faculty and others in the process.
- Explore and evaluate alternatives to the traditional acquisition of resources, implementing those that improve patron access to materials.
- Work with potential donors of library resources, evaluating gifts, negotiating terms of acceptance, and arranging with librarians and staff to process accepted donations.
- Work within the CTW Consortium on collaborative acquisition processes, including the assessment and possible expansion of a collaborative collection development prototype that is currently underway. CTW is a consortium of Connecticut College, Trinity College and Wesleyan University, who share an integrated library system (Voyager) and collaborate on initiatives to share library resources and services.
Acquisitions:
- Head the monographic acquisitions department, directly supervising one administrative staff member who supervises 2 FTE support staff.
- Administer a $1.2 million dollar monographic acquisitions budget, including endowed and gift funds. Work closely with the Serials/Electronic Resources Librarian to provide projections, analysis and reporting for a total acquisitions budget of over $3.3 million dollars.
- Administer the library's approval program for scholarly books in all fields.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with library vendors and campus partners, including Information Technology Services, Financial Services, and Wesleyan University Press.
University and professional activities:
- Participate in University initiatives and committees, particularly those concerning scholarly communication and content management.
- Demonstrate active involvement in professional activities at regional and national levels.
Minimum Qualifications: MLS degree from an accredited library school. At least five years experience engaged in progressively responsible acquisitions and collection development activities in an academic library. Working knowledge of at least one major European language other than English and broad general knowledge of academic disciplines. Knowledge of current trends in scholarly communication and content management, and experience adapting policies and procedures to account for them. Experience using reporting and collection assessment tools, and thorough familiarity with integrated online systems. Demonstrated success in working cooperatively and effectively with librarians, library staff, faculty, students and others throughout the institution. Record of regional or national professional engagement. Preferred Qualifications: Additional advanced degree in an academic discipline. Working knowledge of at least one non-European language. Participation in the development of an institutional repository or other system to collect and manage digital content. Experience in a culturally diverse liberal arts institution. For full consideration, please submit your application and other materials no later than March 9, 2007. Position to be filled effective July 1, 2007. For more information or to apply, visit http://careers.wesleyan.edu. Wesleyan University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer M/W/D/V and welcomes applications from candidates who support diversity.
