Strategic Acquisitions Librarian, Yale University (New Haven, CT)

Posted February 5, 2025

Job Summary:

Yale University seeks a knowledgeable, innovative librarian to join our team of technical services professionals in a newly created role designed to meet evolving collection priorities. As a member of the E-Resources Acquisitions team, the Strategic Acquisitions Librarian supports the acquisition of complex resources or resources in emerging formats, including those in growth collecting areas for the library that do not yet have well-established library acquisition and management mechanisms. Responsibilities include: providing dedicated support for the acquisition, licensing, and preservation of e-resources which require local digital asset management (e.g., datasets and streaming media); triaging and facilitating new orders with non-standard access models, emerging business models, special formats, complex funding, etc.; and facilitating knowledge transfer across groups to enable the timely creation of accurate descriptive data for e-resources in all formats. In alignment with departmental priorities, this person provides dedicated support for special projects within E-Resources & Serials Management (ERSM), adding capacity for innovation and improving ongoing operations.

The Strategic Acquisitions Librarian collaborates across units in ERSM to promote coordinated, efficient acquisition and description of e-resources, paying particular attention to locally managed licensed digital assets and other resources with acquisitions or access complexities. Works with key stakeholders to actively manage the full life cycle of e-resources, including trials, pre-order support, and licensing. Supports the creation and management of accurate data about e-resources across a variety of systems, including the Library Management System (LMS) and discovery systems. Serves as an active member of the License Review Steering Committee. Incorporates assessment and reporting into digital asset management workflows, allowing for ongoing evaluation and improvements. Works closely with other Technical Services units, Scholarly Communication & Collection Strategy, and other partners across Yale Library to support an informed, data-driven approach to e-resource acquisition and management. Provides e-resource expertise both internally to library staff and externally to vendors and the larger Yale community. Contributes advanced knowledge to departmental troubleshooting support, working with internal and external partners to address issues in a timely manner. Stays abreast of emerging trends and best practices related to e-resources. Plays an active role in e-resource related projects and initiatives as assigned.

Yale Library serves a diverse staff, campus, local, and global community and is deeply committed to advancing its goals for equity, inclusion, and accessibility. This commitment is reflected in our mission, strategic directions, staff values, initiatives, and scholarly activity. To support our goals for staff recruitment, retention, and development, Yale Library invites applications from candidates whose philosophies align with these commitments and who have demonstrated success with supporting diversity and inclusion through their work, service, research, and/or teaching.

This position will be assigned a rank of Librarian 2, 3, or 4 based on a combination of professional experience and accomplishments. Librarian ranking information can be found here.

Essential Duties:

Oversees creation and management of accurate data about Yale’s electronic content across a variety of systems, including the link resolver and discovery system knowledge base, the Database A-Z list, and the license tracking system.
Manages key e-resource life cycle processes such as the management of trial access, tracking licensing data, and the collection of usage statistics for electronic resources purchased or subscribed to by YUL. Recommends and implements improvements to existing tools and workflows.
Provides e-resource expertise both internally to library staff and externally to vendors and the larger Yale community.
Contributes advanced knowledge to departmental troubleshooting support, resolving access-related problems, responding to reported issues, and working with internal and external partners to fix issues in a timely manner.
Takes an active role in Yale University Library’s license review process.
Stays abreast of emerging trends and best practices related to e-resources.
Plays an active role in e-resource related projects and initiatives as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

Master’s degree from an ALA‐accredited library school. In selected instances, a post‐graduate degree in a related discipline may be required or substituted for a master’s degree in library science.
The ability to apply the principles that guide the organization of bibliographic information to the organization of electronic resources.
An understanding of the best practices for managing the records that track electronic purchases, subscriptions, and licenses.
Demonstrated ability working in an integrated library system.
Conceptual and practical knowledge of the technologies used to manage and access e-resources.
Excellent oral and written communication skills; demonstrated analytical and organizational skills. Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

Yale University assigns ranks to librarian positions based on a combination of professional experience and accomplishments. Librarian ranking information can be found here.

Required Skill/Ability 1:

Conceptual and practical knowledge of the business models through which libraries acquire e-resources.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Conceptual and practical knowledge of the technologies used to manage and access e-resources and of the relationships between them. Ability to apply this knowledge in accordance with Yale Library’s priorities and evolving collecting practices.

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Demonstrated ability working in a library management system.

Required Skill/Ability 4:

Evidence of ability to assess, analyze, plan, and solve problems creatively and collaboratively in a complex, rapidly changing environment. Ability to analyze and synthesize data to support decision making about policies and workflows. Ability to initiate and complete projects in a timely manner.

Required Skill/Ability 5:

Excellent interpersonal, analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, including evidence of ability to work collegially and collaboratively within and across organizations. Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

Demonstrated experience with acquisitions processes in an LMS. Knowledge of e-resource licensing and the legal framework in which it takes place.

How To Apply:

To learn more about this position and apply, please visit the official job posting, linked here.