Gustavus Adolphus College seeks Acquisitions Manager & Cataloging Specialist

Text courtesy of Michelle Twait, Professor and Academic Librarian, Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library, Gustavus Adolphus College

We're hiring! Gustavus Adolphus College invites applications for a full-time, 10.5 month, 40 hours per week, exempt (salaried) Acquisitions Manager & Cataloging Specialist. Anticipated state date is July 15, 2021. Review of applications will begin on June 1st and continue until the position is filled.

The Acquisitions Manager & Cataloging Specialist is a member of the Access Services Department. This department is charged with providing leadership, management of a library sub-system, and day-to-day oversight of several of the library’s primary functions—including identifying, selecting, acquiring, organizing, providing convenient access to, and managing library content and resources.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for sourcing print materials, DVDs, audiovisual materials, e-books, streaming content, monograph series, and recordings (5,000+ items) within budget and fiscal calendar constraints and in close consultation with faculty stakeholders and subject librarians.
• Manages the process of receiving, processing new assets; in collaboration with Metadata and ILS Manager making assets discoverable locally and internationally using evolving national metadata standards. 
• Manages and monitors acquisition budgets for all materials in collaboration with faculty and subject librarians.  Ensures fiscal responsibility for a large acquisitions budget ($312,000+) that includes multiple endowed budget lines, restricted and unrestricted. 
• Provides training, oversight, and problem solving to other library staff related to the acquisitions module.
• Oversees the receiving of all materials; and prepares them for cataloging and processing; performs initial cataloging.
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with vendors and publishers; negotiates discounts and licensing terms; maintains vendor database ordering systems.
• Manages student employees, including hiring, training, supervision, evaluation and disciplinary actions; mentors students and provides references for graduate school and future employment.
• Creates processes and identifies project management for grant-funded subject collections or other special projects.
• Manages and provides stewardship for library gifts and endowments related to collections, including Friends of the Library-Gustavus Library Associates. Evaluates inquiries about gifts or donations for library collections.  
• Manages the acquisitions, claims and maintenance of continuation publications.  
• Manages complex data transfers and upgrades during platform migrations.   
• Develops data sets, gathers and analyzes statistics and prepares annual reports for institutional use and for national statistical reporting. 
• Maintains monthly and annual statistics, produces budget summaries and prepares both customized reports and annual reports, and manages the fiscal year end rollover. 
• Fosters innovation and growth for the library by pursuing professional development opportunities and by building and maintaining collegial relationships with library employees at peer institutions.
• Engages in library planning and program development; contributes to internal committees; oversees budget priorities as determined by committee’s charge and library administration’s allotment.

MINIMUM EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree;
• Strong technology skills;
• Capacity to work with foreign language materials (including items to purchase, vendors, websites, invoices, etc. in several different foreign languages);
• Demonstrated supervisory skills;
• Strong human relations and organizational skills;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Willingness and ability to fully participate in a flexible, team-oriented setting while showing individual initiative and self-direction;
• Willingness to take leadership role in supporting the mission of the Library and College.

PREFERRED:  Previous experience in purchasing or similar work; familiarity with library acquisitions processes and integrated library systems.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:  Ability to lift and move heavy boxes and mail containers; ergonomic stresses associated with working several hours per day at a computer workstation; ability to adapt to change while meeting the goals for the college and library community.  

Please refer to the Gustavus Adolphus College website for more information on how to apply for this position. For full consideration, applications must be received by Tuesday, June 1, 2021.