Head of Collections, Discovery, and Resource Sharing
Auburn, AL 
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Job Description
Posting Details
Position Information

Job Title Head of Collections, Discovery, and Resource Sharing
Posting Number P1664F
Position Summary Information

Job Description Summary
Auburn University Libraries seeks a collaborative, innovative, and user-centered leader to guide and direct the Collections, Discovery, and Resource Sharing Department. The Head of Collections, Discovery, and Resource Sharing will provide strategic leadership in developing, implementing, and assessing innovative and adaptive strategies to support Auburn University's excellent teaching and growing research enterprise. The Head of Collections, Discovery, and Resource Sharing will develop and implement strategies for collection development and for daily operations that enable resource discovery and support Auburn University's mission of research and student success. The individual in this position will be responsible for administrative and operational oversight of collection development (monographic and serials acquisitions and electronic resources), discovery (cataloging, metadata, and web scale discovery), and resource sharing (document delivery and interlibrary loan).
Reporting to the Dean of Libraries, the Head of Collections, Discovery, and Resource Sharing will work collaboratively with the Libraries' leadership team members to carry out the strategic goals of Auburn University Libraries. This twelve-month tenure-track faculty position requires professional and scholarly activity as well as service on library and university committees.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Provides vision and oversight for operations in collection development, discovery, and resource sharing.
  • Serves as collection development officer for Auburn University Libraries.
  • Manages, supervises, mentors, and reviews personnel (faculty librarians, staff, and student employees) to support their operations and professional growths.
  • Manages a materials budget of over $10 million, including the organization and allocation of funds for collections.
  • Collaborates with subject librarian liaisons to identify content needs that support research and student success.
  • Oversees licensing of electronic resources and negotiation of contracts with vendors and publishers for library materials.
  • Chairs the Libraries' Collection Development Group, an interdepartmental advisory body for collection development.
  • Coordinates gathering and reporting of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) annual statistics.
  • Monitors trends, best practices, and developments in collection development, discovery, and resource sharing.
  • Collaborates with other library faculty and staff to optimize and enhance the Libraries' discovery platforms.
  • With other department and unit heads in the Libraries, promotes a positive work, organizational, and educational culture that supports professionalism, a collegial spirit, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Serves as a member of the Libraries' Leadership Group and the Operational Team.
  • Participates in local, state, and national library professional organizations.

SALARY / BENEFITS: Minimum salary of $90,000. Rank and salary will be commensurate with experience/qualifications. This is a twelve-month tenure-track position. Benefits include 20 days of vacation leave/12 days of sick leave per year; participation in State Teachers' Retirement System (mandatory); additional voluntary retirement plans available; health/dental/life/disability insurance.

To apply, visit: www.auemployment.com.

Auburn University Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL), HathiTrust, Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), and other organizations of academic institutions. The Libraries completed a strategic plan in alignment with the Auburn University Strategic Plan which is available at: https://www.lib.auburn.edu/strategicplan/AUL_Strategic_Plan_2019-24.pdf.

Auburn University is one of the nation's premier public land-grant institutions. In 2024, it was ranked 47th among public universities by U.S. News and World Report. Auburn maintains high levels of research activity and high standards for teaching excellence, offering Bachelor's, Master's, Educational Specialist, and Doctoral degrees in agriculture and engineering, the professions, and the arts and sciences. Its 2023 enrollment of 33,015 students includes 26,874 undergraduates and 6,141 graduate and professional students. The University is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, its positive work environment, its student engagement, and its beautiful campus.

Auburn residents enjoy a thriving community, recognized as one of the "best small towns in America," with moderate climate and easy access to major cities or to beach and mountain recreational facilities. Situated along the rapidly developing I-85 corridor between Atlanta, Georgia, and Montgomery, Alabama, the combined Auburn-Opelika-Columbus statistical area has a population of over 500,000, with excellent public-school systems and regional medical centers.

Auburn University is understanding of, and sensitive to the family needs of faculty, including dual- career couples. Additional information can be found on our website: http://www.auburn.edu/academic/provost/pdf/guidelines-dual-career-services.pdf.
Minimum Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Master of Library and Information Science degree or equivalent from an ALA-accredited institution at the time of employment.
  • Three or more years of successful experience in supervising and evaluating personnel in the areas of collection development, discovery, or resource sharing operations.
  • Demonstrated leadership in guiding departmental initiatives, including the ability to collect and analyze data, apply evidence to decision-making, and manage successful completion of multiple projects.
  • Experience managing budgets in collection development.
  • Experience in maintaining productive relationships with publishers and vendors.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; strong and effective written communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to contribute collegially and productively in a team environment.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in an academic environment.
  • Potential to meet university promotion and tenure requirements.
Desired Qualifications
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • In-depth knowledge of collection development in contemporary academic and research libraries.
  • Awareness of best practices and trends in resource sharing.
  • Knowledge of best practices, tools, and standards relevant to discovery and resource sharing.
  • Experience in working with STEM heavy collections.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Application review process begins April 8, 2024, and will continue until a qualified candidate is selected and recommended for appointment. A complete application must include a letter of interest, resume or curriculum vitae, and the names of three current, professional references (please include mailing addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers). The candidate selected for this position must be able to meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment. For questions, contact the search committee chair, Liza Weisbrod at weisbel@auburn.edu.
Posting Detail Information

Open Date 03/25/2024
Close Date
EEO Statement
AUBURN UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by applicable law.
Open Until Filled No
References required for this position? Yes
If yes, minimum number requested 3

 

Job Summary
Company
Start Date
As soon as possible
Employment Term and Type
Regular, Full Time
Required Education
Bachelor's Degree
Required Experience
3+ years
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