Collection Management Librarian

Towson University•Towson, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Albert S. Cook Library invites applications for a Librarian I position in the Content Management Department. Under the general direction of the Director of Content Management, the Collection Management Librarian will provide flexible, responsive leadership in the management of collection development and acquisitions operation, including serving as the primary liaison contact for acquisitions operation. Leads the collection development team of librarians across departments, collaborating with the Director of Content Management and Head of Resource Sharing, to set group agendas, priorities and decision points for collection development. Formulates, develops, recommends and modifies policies and procedures for acquisitions as well as general library policies that involve acquisitions. Participates in library assessment initiatives. Provides leadership and oversight for the strategic growth, stewardship, and fiscal accountability of the library's collections. This role chairs or co-chairs collection development activities and works closely with the Director of Content Management, Head of Resource Sharing, and subject liaison librarians to coordinate selection and deselection decisions, establish approval plans, and ensure collections align with institutional priorities and user needs. The incumbent serves as a primary resource for librarians engaged in collection building, providing guidance and training on selection tools such as GOBI, evaluating collection funding and allocation models, and supporting data-informed decision-making regarding print and electronic resources. The position also collaborates on financial analyses related to transformative agreements, publisher pricing changes, and enrollment-driven funding needs to support budget planning and advocacy efforts. In addition, the position oversees acquisitions operations and promotes effective collaboration across library departments. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with audit standards through accurate reconciliation and documentation of all library material purchases, developing and refining acquisitions policies and procedures, assessing workflows, and directing staff priorities to maximize efficiency and accountability. The incumbent manages systems supporting monograph selection and ordering, evaluates and implements acquisitions technologies, and analyzes data from library and vendor platforms to monitor performance and improve processes. Working closely with library unit leads and cross-functional teams, the position develops, documents, and communicates workflows that span multiple functional areas, fostering collaboration, consistency, and service excellence across the organization.

Requirements

Master’s degree in library or information science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent, or completion of a master’s degree in library or information science within a year of the start date.
Familiarity with library collection development, technical services, acquisitions, or other related library areas.
Strong, positive interpersonal and collaborative skills; ability to work in a team environment.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to work flexibly and creatively in a changing and fast paced environment with a diverse population.
Commitment to continued growth in areas of responsibility.
Demonstrated ability to meet the University’s criteria for promotion and permanent status of library faculty, through professional development and service accomplishments.
At least three years of professional experience as a librarian (for Librarian II).
Evidence of substantive contributions to the maintenance of quality in library services and resources (for Librarian II).
Documentation of successful completion of significant projects for a local, regional or national library or library association (for Librarian II).
Evidence of progress towards a scholarly research agenda including plan for publications, grants, evidence synthesis, creative works, etc. (for Librarian II).
Evidence of service to prior library or campus including participation on committees; or evidence of participation on regional or national library associations (for Librarian II).

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of library acquisitions operations in a library environment.
Experience administering the GOBI ordering platform.
Demonstrated competencies as outlined in “Core Competencies for Acquisitions Professionals”
Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently and collaboratively on a variety of projects simultaneously.
Experience managing statistical data and generating reports.
Familiarity with web discovery services, link resolvers, proxy and authentication services.
Demonstrated excellent organizational, analytical, time management, and project management skills.
Ability to learn new library and computer technology and stay current with technology developments.

Responsibilities

Provide flexible, responsive leadership in the management of collection development and acquisitions operation, including serving as the primary liaison contact for acquisitions operation.
Lead the collection development team of librarians across departments, collaborating with the Director of Content Management and Head of Resource Sharing, to set group agendas, priorities and decision points for collection development.
Formulate, develop, recommend and modify policies and procedures for acquisitions as well as general library policies that involve acquisitions.
Participate in library assessment initiatives.
Provide leadership and oversight for the strategic growth, stewardship, and fiscal accountability of the library's collections.
Chair or co-chair collection development activities and work closely with the Director of Content Management, Head of Resource Sharing, and subject liaison librarians to coordinate selection and deselection decisions, establish approval plans, and ensure collections align with institutional priorities and user needs.
Serve as a primary resource for librarians engaged in collection building, providing guidance and training on selection tools such as GOBI, evaluating collection funding and allocation models, and supporting data-informed decision-making regarding print and electronic resources.
Collaborate on financial analyses related to transformative agreements, publisher pricing changes, and enrollment-driven funding needs to support budget planning and advocacy efforts.
Oversee acquisitions operations and promote effective collaboration across library departments.
Ensure compliance with audit standards through accurate reconciliation and documentation of all library material purchases.
Develop and refine acquisitions policies and procedures.
Assess workflows, and direct staff priorities to maximize efficiency and accountability.
Manage systems supporting monograph selection and ordering.
Evaluate and implement acquisitions technologies.
Analyze data from library and vendor platforms to monitor performance and improve processes.
Develop, document, and communicate workflows that span multiple functional areas, fostering collaboration, consistency, and service excellence across the organization.