Collection Development Librarian, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
Posted January 17, 2020
The University of Vermont seeks a Collection Development Librarian to lead the university libraries in transforming the management of collection development. This position reports to the Director of Collection Management Services and works closely with librarians and subject liaisons across UVM’s three libraries: Howe Library, Dana Medical Library, and Silver Special Collections Library.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead major changes. Immediate priorities include reviewing and consolidating collection development budgets; building and chairing a team to oversee collection development across the UVM libraries; working with library colleagues, consultants, and a faculty advisory committee to develop a unified print management strategy; building consensus around major, upcoming decisions regarding big-deal packages; attending to the professional development of direct reports and creating plans for continuous learning; and cultivating within the collection development unit a genuine sense of belonging and an atmosphere of collegiality. The Collection Development Librarian supervises a team of Acquisitions and Collection Development staff.
The successful candidate will arrive with a wide and deep background in the theory and practice of building collections–physical and virtual, autonomous and consortial, established and experimental. Candidates will understand well the crisis afoot in academic publishing and the financial and ethical challenges this presents. We seek candidates well versed in and committed to open-access publishing initiatives and to new models for publishing and disseminating information in a manner consonant with the commitments of UVM, i.e., a land-grant institution committed to the general welfare and public good.
Candidates should be skilled at gathering and interpreting data to inform collection development policies and practices. They should be fluent in data-mining initiatives and the world of institutional and disciplinary repositories. Broad knowledge of the scholarly communication landscape–including current and potential changes to that landscape–is key.
We seek both a leader and a manager–somebody who can help craft a vision for collection development and work collaboratively with colleagues to implement that vision. Those who have supervised the candidate, worked with the candidate, or reported to the candidate should speak highly of the candidate’s emotional intelligence, organizational skills, and ability to inspire trust and enthusiasm. Candidates should also bring a record of working with campus partners.
Strong interpersonal skills and an energetic commitment to teamwork are essential.
Responsibilities:
● Leads and manages the selection, assessment and disposition of resources in all formats. Oversees user-focused collections, including patron-driven and evidence-based acquisitions. Performs collection analysis to determine the collection’s effectiveness in meeting the campus community’s needs. Leads the Collections Team in designing and implementing collection development strategies and in prioritizing requests for renewals and new resources.
● Develops and oversees a print-management strategy for the libraries.
● Explores opportunities for crafting cooperative collection development and collection management strategies with other libraries, both locally and nationally.
● Manages the approval plan.
● Provides empathetic leadership. Creates and fosters strong relationships with colleagues in Collection Management Services, the libraries as a whole, the university, and external partners/organizations.
● Cultivates a personal research agenda and engages in service.
Required Qualifications:
● Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited Library/Information Science program or equivalent degree.
● Demonstrated effectiveness in project management, such as the selection, analysis, and disposition of materials or other collection-related project management experience.
● Experience with approval plans, patron-driven acquisitions and evidence-based acquisitions.
● Demonstrated expertise with collection analysis techniques and tools; ability to work well both independently and collaboratively with colleagues, faculty and staff.
● Promising record of exemplary leadership and management.
● Fluency in developments in the scholarly publishing landscape.
Desired Qualifications:
● Supervisory experience.
● Experience with health sciences/medical collections.
● Deep knowledge of licensing and copyright issues.
● Experience with digital rights management and digital preservation.
● Familiarity with link resolvers and experience with discovery systems.
● Professional experience in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with vendors, consortia, and publishers.
The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic institution. Applicants are requested to include in their cover letter information about their commitment to diversity and how they will further this goal. For more information on diversity at the University of Vermont, see http://www.uvm.edu/president/
Salary and Application Information: Salary is commensurate with rank and experience. The successful candidate will be appointed as an Assistant or Associate Library Professor. Minimum salary for Assistant Library Professor is $59,321. Minimum salary for Associate Library Professor is $71,184. Appointment at the Associate level requires prior experience in managing collections operations as demonstrated through increasingly responsible levels of appointment and a continuing record of scholarship and service consistent with UVM Libraries’ criteria. Generous benefits package includes: TIAA (or alternative plan), managed health care plan, and 22 days of annual leave. The library faculty is represented by United Academics.
To apply online, please visit our website at: http://www.uvmjobs.com and refer to job posting number F1543PO. Candidates are required to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae and contact information for three references. The search will remain open until the position is filled. For best consideration, complete applications should be received no later than January 31, 2020.
Campus Profile: The University of Vermont (UVM), established in 1791, is a top public research university. Often referred to as a Public Ivy, UVM is the largest institution of higher education in the state, with over 12,600 degree students enrolled in nine schools and colleges, including a medical school. UVM is known as a small, premier research institution, combining the faculty-student relationships found at small liberal arts colleges with the resources of a major research institution. UVM Libraries, comprised of Howe Library, Dana Medical Library, and Silver Special Collections Library, deliver distinctive and outstanding service to the campus community, the State of Vermont, and the University of Vermont Medical Center through excellence in instruction, innovation in research and scholarship, and dedication to public service. UVM Libraries use Primo as its discovery search interface, ScholarWorks @ UVM as the institutional repository and offer unique digital collections via the Center for Digital Initiatives.
UVM is located in Burlington, Vermont, which has consistently been named a top city to live in. Uniquely situated near both Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains, the surrounding area offers easy access to a variety of outdoor activities year round. Burlington enjoys excellent school systems, a dynamic and stimulating cultural scene, and a vibrant and diverse social life. It is also within a short distance of several major metropolitan areas, including Montreal, Boston, and New York City.
The University of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category legally protected by federal or state law. The University encourages applications from all individuals who will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the institution.