Collection Development Librarian

SLC Public Library•Salt Lake City, UT

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Collection Development Librarian plays a key role in developing, maintaining, and evaluating collections that are relevant, responsive, diverse, and accessible to the people of Salt Lake City. This position exercises professional expertise, and utilizes community knowledge, collection data, and sound judgment to select and deselect materials in a variety of formats. The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of public library collection development principles and intellectual freedom, including the ability to recognize and address personal, cultural, and systemic bias in collection decisions. This position requires a commitment to building collections that reflect the breadth of community interests and perspectives while upholding the Library's policies and professional standards. The Collection Development Librarian will be curious, analytical, and willing to question established practices. We are looking for someone who actively seeks opportunities to innovate, improve workflows and streamline processes, use technology and data effectively, and identify efficiencies that make SLCPL’s collections responsive, community centered and sustainable. The ideal candidate is comfortable experimenting with new approaches, evaluating results, and working with colleagues to respond to changing needs and an ever-changing landscape.

Requirements

Master's degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) from an ALA-accredited program required.
Minimum of two years public service or collections related experience at the librarian rank.
Knowledge of public library collection development principles and practices, including selection, deselection, collection assessment, and collection maintenance.
Knowledge of intellectual freedom principles and their application to public library collections.
Demonstrated ability to recognize and thoughtfully address bias in collection development and other professional decisions.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to use data and professional judgment to make effective collection decisions.
Ability to manage competing priorities and make sound decisions regarding the expenditure of public funds.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
Ability and willingness to identify opportunities for innovation, process improvement, and increased efficiency.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse staff, patrons, vendors, and community members.
Proficiency with computers and the ability to learn and effectively use library technology, integrated library systems, collection management tools, and other software.
Commitment to providing library services and collections that are welcoming, inclusive, and responsive to a diverse community.

Nice To Haves

Professional experience in public library collection development.
Experience selecting and deselecting materials across multiple formats.
Experience using collection assessment data, circulation statistics, community demographics, or other quantitative and qualitative information to inform collection decisions.
Experience managing or monitoring a materials budget.
Experience with electronic resources, streaming media, downloadable content, or other emerging collection formats.
Familiarity with library vendors, publishing trends, review sources, and automated collection development tools.
Experience improving workflows, implementing new technologies, or developing more efficient processes.
Knowledge of current intellectual freedom issues affecting public libraries.
Experience working with diverse communities and developing collections that represent a broad range of perspectives and experiences.

Responsibilities

Collection Selection. Selects library materials in assigned areas and formats using professional judgment, reviews, collection data, community demographics, usage statistics, vendor information, professional resources, and other appropriate selection tools. Develops collections that are current, balanced, diverse, relevant, and responsive to community needs and interests.
Collection Evaluation and Deselection. Continually evaluates collections and makes informed decisions about retention, replacement, and deselection while attending to duplication and collection gaps. Uses circulation data, patron requests, collection age, availability, condition, accuracy, demand, community needs, and other relevant factors to maintain collections that are useful, current, and accessible.
Intellectual Freedom. Applies intellectual freedom principles to collection decisions and supports the Library's commitment to equitable access to information and diverse viewpoints. Responds thoughtfully and professionally to questions or concerns about materials and participates in the evaluation of challenged materials in accordance with Library policies.
Bias Awareness. Recognizes that selection and deselection decisions can be affected by personal, cultural, professional, and systemic biases. Seeks out multiple perspectives and uses established criteria, data, professional standards, and community information to make thoughtful and equitable collection decisions.
Collection Analysis. Uses integrated library system data, collection assessment tools, circulation statistics, community demographics, patron requests, and other data to evaluate collection effectiveness. Keeps abreast of publishing and usage trends. Identifies and acts upon collection gaps that inform purchasing and deselection decisions.
Budget Management. Manages assigned collection budgets responsibly and makes purchasing decisions that maximize the value and impact of available resources. Monitors expenditures and adjusts purchasing strategies as needed.
Innovation and Efficiency. Identifies opportunities to improve collection development processes, reduce unnecessary work, streamline workflows, and make better use of technology and data. Tests and evaluates new tools, methods, and approaches and shares successful practices with colleagues.
Policy and Procedures. Applies the Library's Collection Development Policy and related policies and procedures consistently. Recommends changes when policies, practices, or workflows no longer effectively meet community or organizational needs.
Collaboration. Works collaboratively with Technical Services, public service and programming staff, managers, and other SLCPL departments to understand community needs and coordinate collection development activities across the Library system.
Community Responsiveness. Considers patron requests, community interests, local perspectives, and emerging trends when developing collections. Helps ensure that Library collections serve a broad range of ages, backgrounds, experiences, interests, and information needs.
Cataloging The Collection Development Librarian may be required to catalogue.
Professional Development. Maintains current knowledge of collection development practices, publishing and media trends, emerging formats and technologies, intellectual freedom issues, and developments in the public library profession.
Communication. Communicates collection decisions, priorities, trends, and recommendations clearly to Library staff, managers, vendors, and patrons as appropriate.
Working Relationships. Fosters positive working relationships with diverse people including staff, patrons, vendors, publishers, and community partners.
Committees and Workgroups. May participate in committees, project teams, workgroups, and organizational initiatives supporting the Library's strategic goals.
Other Duties. Performs other duties as assigned or required.