Collections Development Manager, Boston Public Library, Boston, MA

Posted September 18, 2023

Overview:

Under the direction of the Chief of Collections Strategy, coordinates all aspects of system-wide collection development, focusing on circulating and general reference collections. Provides strong and effective leadership to selectors and subject specialists in the management and coordination of the Library’s general collections at all age levels. Creates and implements collection guidelines. Provides system-wide leadership regarding all aspects of collection development. Supervises Collection Development and Reader Services. Plans and directs use of circulating materials budget.

Reports to

Chief of Collections Strategy

Supervises

Professional and support staff

Responsibilities:

Coordinates and manages all facets of collection development to ensure a comprehensive collection that is responsive to the public’s changing needs and interests; supervises the overall operating and staff of the department.
Provides direction to Reader Services Department; ensures smooth cooperation between Collection Development and Reader Services staff in the selection of material and coverage of the New & Novel area.
Works with library staff in assessing public access to materials, including format, location, status (i.e. circulating/non-circulating); provides leadership and implements changes and improvements to overall collection management.
Plans and directs the use of allocated budgets for circulating and general reference collections, tracks spending by location and department, and ensures budget is spent consistently throughout the fiscal year.
Works with Business Office and Accounting staff to follow City of Boston procedures, resolve issues related to invoices, and set up contracts with vendors.
Creates and analyses collection usage reports; works with selectors and collection development staff to use reports in selection and weeding decisions.
Plans and directs the usage of collection analysis software, including system-wide implementation and participation.
Creates and monitors collection maintenance goals and standards, works with all locations on effective collection maintenance.
Develops written policies, procedures, and guidelines aligned with the Collection Development Policy and the overall collections strategy.
Establishes and maintains relationships with relevant collection vendors; works with Technical Services on ordering, cataloging, and processing standards required of vendors.
Researches, creates, and implements new and established practices and tools for selection and related activities; provides proactive leadership to organize, train, and implement new methods to streamline collection development and improve public service delivery.
Works with Manager of Reference and Instruction to evaluate and select electronic content for the library.
Works with Technical Services to coordinate the prioritization of ordering, receiving, cataloging, and processing of materials to respond to the needs and interests of library users.
Along with Research Collections Liaison, works with department heads and other appropriate staff to maintain consistent Collection Development practices.
Establishes and implements procedures for accepting gifts and donations; works with all library staff to follow standard procedures for evaluating gifts and donations in accordance with the Collection Development Policy.
Works with staff throughout the Library to promote the collections to the Library’s user communities.
Attends regular internal meetings to update staff on Collection Development practices and procedures.
Represents the Library at meetings with regional/MBLN participating libraries, outside organizations, statewide initiatives, and vendors, as appropriate.
Analyzes library staff training needs regarding collection development, selection, vendor selection/ordering tools and related skills and works with library’s training coordinator/committee to develop appropriate staff development/training programs.
In coordination with the Manager of Reference & Instruction, creates public training programs on collection related topics, works with other collection development and reader services staff to provide trainings to public.
Works on public service desk as assigned.
Performs other related and/or comparable duties as assigned.

Competencies:

Experience selecting and ordering library materials in a large public service organization with a wide range of constituent use from popular reading to scholarly research.
Demonstrated commitment to reading; dedication to scholarship; appreciation for popular culture and societal trends.
Thorough knowledge of best practice collection development and related work processes. Skilled and knowledgeable readers’ advisor.
Proficiency with MSWord, Publisher, Power Point, and Excel.
Ability to execute library policy.
Ability to plan, train and supervise the work of others.
Demonstrates initiative and independent decision making skills.
Communicates effectively and presents ideas clearly.
Ability to think creatively and innovatively.
Identifies, plans, and prioritizes job responsibilities and tasks; determines and implements project timelines.
Demonstrates flexibility and the ability to adapt to change.
Ability to collaborate with library staff, external partners and resources.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications:

Education

Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university and a master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA accredited library school. Relevant subject knowledge and/or specialized training required. In exceptional instances, training and/or experience may be substituted for part or all of the educational requirements.

Experience

Seven years of related library experience, including 3 years supervisory experience and experience in one or more aspects relevant to collection development and ordering materials, or any equivalent combination of education, experience and training sufficient to indicate ability to do the work.
Demonstrated experience with overall urban library collections and current trends in publishing and collection development.
Demonstrated experience with budget allocation and monitoring.
Demonstrated proficiency in standard computer applications, spreadsheets, databases, integrated library systems, the Internet, and traditional library resources.

Requirements

Residency – Must be a resident of the City of Boston upon the first day of hire.
CORI – Must successfully clear a Criminal Offenders Record Information check with the City of Boston.

Terms

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: PSA/P/5

Hours per week:35

How to Apply:

Apply through Boston Careers Center website using the link below:

https://city-boston.icims.com/jobs/25348/collection-development-manager/job?hub=8&_gl=11iz8dr7_gaMTUyODExMDM4OS4xNjM0NTc5Mjgx_ga_5Y2BYGL910*MTY5NDk3MjgxMS40Ni4xLjE2OTQ5NzM1NDUuMC4wLjA.

The City of Boston is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Therefore, qualified applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category.

The City of Boston has played a role in causing and perpetuating the inequities in our society. To break down these barriers, we are embedding equity and inclusion into everything we do.

We define equity as ensuring every community has the resources it needs to thrive in Boston. This requires the active process of meeting individuals where they are. Inclusion is engaging every resident to build a more welcoming and supportive city. We are building a city for everyone, where diversity makes us a more empowered collective.