Head of Acquisitions, Indiana University Libraries, Bloomington, Indiana

Posted March 4, 2025

Description

The Indiana University Libraries seek an enthusiastic, innovative, collaborative librarian to serve as the Head of Acquisitions. Reporting to the Director of Technical Services, the Head of Acquisitions will provide vision and expertise in leading the Acquisitions operation for the Libraries on the IU Bloomington campus. They will play a pivotal role in the IU Libraries’ efforts to meet current and emerging information needs and provide access to a broad and diverse collection of scholarly content. The successful candidate will collaborate with colleagues across the Libraries, the Bloomington campus, and the Indiana University system of campuses to support the mission of the IU Libraries. The successful candidate will also be a primary liaison with publishers, content providers, and consortia to support electronic resources licensing and management for Indiana University Libraries. This is an exciting time to forge new collaborations and lead a talented group of library professionals.

Responsibilities

Manage, develop, and oversee the strategic operation and ongoing function of the Acquisitions Department, which includes the acquisition, receipt, and management of physical materials including print, DVD, microfilm/fiche, and other external media, as well as the acquisition, licensing, and access management of electronic resources including databases, electronic journals, electronic books, data sets, and other electronic media for Indiana University Libraries, and for other campuses in the Indiana University System as needed.
Lead the Acquisitions Department in collaborating with a wide variety of domestic and international content providers to manage the IU Libraries’ procurement activities, ensuring fiscal responsibility in the management and disbursement of the IU Libraries’ collections budget according to federal and institutional accounting rules and standards.
Lead approximately 20 FTE Acquisitions professionals (Exempt, and Non-Exempt Staff) and directly supervise, develop, and sustain effective leadership among four Acquisitions Managers; lead and collaborate in the planning, coordination, and establishment of procedural and policy changes as well as the implementation of administrative directives for faculty and staff within the Acquisitions Department
Lead and manage library electronic resources license negotiation, execution, and management for Indiana University Bloomington Libraries and, when applicable, the Indiana University system of campuses; lead in developing and expanding licensing guidelines and parameters for Indiana University Libraries, and guide acquisitions staff involved in electronic resources licensing
Represent IU Libraries as the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) Electronic Resource Officer (ERO), BTAA Heads of Acquisitions working group member, and within other relevant consortial and professional venues related to Library Acquisitions and resource licensing.
Maintain knowledge of library acquisitions standards as they emerge and develop. Investigate and implement local initiatives to apply new technologies, tools, and partnerships to improve acquisitions workflows and efficiencies.
Develop and implement Acquisitions policies and workflows within a collaborative environment encompassing Indiana University Libraries cataloging, collections, public services, technologies, and other units. Develop and sustain effective relationships with units across the Bloomington campus, and the IU system of campuses.
Establish and communicate department priorities for regular workflows and special projects in alignment with the goals and strategic initiatives of Technical Services and the IU Libraries.
Serve and contribute to applicable management & leadership teams and represent the IU Libraries at the local, state, and national levels

Required Qualifications

Applicants are encouraged to communicate how their work and other experiences satisfy the minimum qualifications in ways that may not be obvious.

ALA-accredited graduate degree in library or information science; candidates with an advanced degree in a relevant subject area and appropriate experience in an academic setting will also be considered
A minimum of 5 years of library acquisitions experience, preferably print/physical and electronic resources acquisitions, licensing, and project management in an academic library; a minimum of 3 years of increasingly responsible and relevant experience managing and mentoring a diverse range of personnel
Experience reviewing and successfully negotiating license agreements in an academic setting; working knowledge of the legal framework in which academic libraries operate; experience incorporating current and emerging trends in electronic resources licensing and management into a library licensing program
Working knowledge of business practices related to library acquisitions, including experience negotiating with library vendors, content providers, and other contractual situations;knowledge of library resource pricing models and concepts
Flexibility and creativity in identifying efficiencies, new workflows, and processes to adapt to a rapidly changing Acquisitions and Library environment
Knowledge and understanding of key issues and trends that affect academic libraries and higher education
Demonstrated analytical, writing, interpersonal, and organizational skills; Ability to represent the library effectively and positively
Ability to work in a collegial, collaborative work environment and maintain effective professional working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including library colleagues, faculty, content providers
Ability to meet the tenure or tenure-track position requirements at the IU Libraries (https://libraries.indiana.edu/bloomington-library-faculty#panel-about), as demonstrated by an ongoing record of professional development/contribution and service

Compensation and benefits

The salary range is $62,000–$82,000 per year; benefits include a university healthcare plan, a university-funded base retirement plan, a 100% university-paid group life insurance plan, and a generous paid time off plan. This tenure/tenure-track academic appointment includes eligibility for sabbatical leaves.

How to Apply

Visit https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/28570 for full job listing and submit a Curriculum Vitae, a Letter of Application, and a List of References.