LIBRARY - Faculty Lib Sci: Peri/Acqui

Job Classification

  Faculty Full-Time (75-100%)

Position summary

This is a library faculty position responsible to the Head of Bibliographic Services. Responsibilities include organization and supervision of periodicals and acquisitions services.

In consultation with the Head of Bibliographic Services, oversees the expenditure of the library’s materials budget according to procedure, and in a manner that maintains positive business relations between the library and information publishers and vendors.

Qualifications summary

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements in the full position description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Duties and responsibilities

Periodicals Functions (approx. 50% of time)

Develops policies, procedures, and workflow for print periodicals, including ordering, renewing, checking-in, claiming, shelving, and binding.

Develops policies, negotiates contracts, and reviews licensing agreements for electronic journal subscriptions and collections in collaboration with library staff and external service providers and/or consortia.

Maintains and updates Periodicals Procedure Manual.

Manages journals with Millennium Serials module, the Serials Solutions Access Management System, and ABLE (binding system).

Consults with the Collection Development Committee in the development and maintenance of the Periodicals Resources Development Policy.

Manages Periodical Services staff including recruiting, training, continuing education, and evaluation.

Consults with departmental faculty and the liaison librarians, in both the selection and cancellation of periodical subscriptions, whether in print or electronic form. 

Is responsible for the expenditure of the print and electronic periodicals budget.

Represents Periodical Services on James White Library committees including the Collection Development Committee.

Furnishes appropriate monthly statistics reflecting the functions of Periodical Services.

Is responsible for ordering and maintaining periodical subscriptions, including claiming, binding, accessioning, and deaccessioning.

Works with acquisitions to ensure timely payment of periodicals and binding invoices.

 

Acquisitions Functions (approx. 50% of time)

Develops policies, procedures, and workflow for book and media acquisitions.

Maintains and updates Acquisitions Procedure Manual.

Manages Millennium Acquisitions module.

Receives and processes requests from faculty members for new resources.

Performs extensive pre-order verification searches (using databases such as GOBI, and tools such as Amazon.com, ABE books, and publisher’s websites) before orders are placed.

Locates vendors for resources not available through established vendors.

Enters order records and renewals from vendors and publishers using automated system.

Downloads correct records (when available) from the OCLC bibliographic utility into local online catalog and attaches order record. Creates brief bibliographic records when no OCLC record is available.

Expedites orders of library materials in all formats.

Facilitates communication with vendors and assists department head with vendor relations.

Monitors effectiveness of approval plans, firm orders, periodical subscriptions, monographic series, blanket orders, standing orders, and other types of material orders.

Receives, opens, and prepares invoices for book shipments. Supervises a student performing these tasks.

Optimizes other vendor/library commercial arrangements such as price discounts.

Processes standing orders and maintains file of such items.

Processes claims using computerized system.

Maintains file of database invoices and correspondence.

Collects and records statistics and reports these to the appropriate individuals, such as the dean of libraries, department head, library liaisons, and/or library office manager.

Responsible for accounting functions of the library, including acquisitions.

Processes invoices and reconciles monthly fund accounts with Business Office.

Processes monthly financial statement and activity reports.

 

Other:

Attends and participates in professional conferences and in-service workshops.

Serves on various library committees as elected or appointed.

Collaborates with other library staff to perform library functions and solve problems.

Participates as a library faculty liaison to one or more academic departments.

Performs other jobs as assigned by the department head or library dean.

Serves on university committees as elected or appointed.

Does library research and publishes, as time allows.

Has contact with staff in Accounts Payable and outside vendors, demonstrating collaboration and teamwork.

Other duties may be assigned from time to time.

Supervisory responsibilities

Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates periodicals/acquisitions staff and student assistants. Writes and updates procedure manuals.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Education: Master in Library Science; a second subject master’s degree, preferred.

Experience/Skills: At least three years’ previous experience in an academic library setting; preferably with an emphasis on acquisitions and periodicals. Experience with book-trade, including publishers and vendors, desirable. Record keeping and database skills, mandatory.

Job Contacts: Has telephone, written, and in-person contact with the following groups on a regular basis: vendors and other suppliers, library employees, and university employees.

Mathematical Skills: Good mathematical skills, especially the ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, statistics, and percentages.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve complex problems and make independent judgments on a regular basis, as well as interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, and computer formats.


Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Technical competencies

Computer experience and accuracy mandatory. Strong background in the use of complex library-specific applications such as: INNOPAC, MARC format, OCLC Connexion, EBSCO systems, and GOBI; as well as familiarity with the Banner Accounting program, word processing, e-mail, spreadsheets, and other databases.

Interpersonal interactions

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general library-related materials. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from library staff, campus personnel, and vendors.

Physical demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is normally required to sit, walk, and stand. The employee must regularly lift and move 40 lb. boxes of books and other materials.

Work environment

Workspace is well-lit, but computer work may cause eye or wrist strain with prolonged activity.