Head of Library
University of California Berkeley
United States

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The University Library is seeking an academic librarian with demonstrated leadership and acquisitions experience to fill the position of Head of Acquisitions. This position is responsible for organizing the acquisition and delivery of digital and print collections to the Library and its users in the most effective and efficient ways possible, as well as managing the Library’s consortial agreements and assisting the Associate University Librarian for Scholarly Resources in managing the Library’s collections and budget. This position reports directly to the Head of the Collection Services Division and is part of the Associate University Librarian for Scholarly Resources’ portfolio.

UC Berkeley's library system is one of the largest academic library systems in the United States, with over 15 million total volumes, of which 3 million are e-books, and a current collections budget of over sixteen million dollars. The Library, a key part of one of the nation’s premier public universities, is tasked with the dual imperatives of being responsive to immediate service demands and anticipating future needs. To achieve this, staff members are required to operate in a spirit of close collaboration, cooperation, flexibility, and a commitment to continuous professional development. The Library must continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of its users.

The Acquisitions department is a part of the Collection Services Division (CSD), along with the Metadata Services department and the Preservation department. The Acquisitions department itself includes the Resource Acquisitions unit, the Serials Check-In unit, and the Electronic Resources unit, 10 FTE staff positions and 3 student positions. The successful candidate will collaborate with colleagues in CSD and the greater Library to ensure a seamless workflow as materials move through the entire range of technical processes. The Head of Acquisitions will directly supervise 8 career library staff in the department.

The Head of Acquisitions is a leadership position, responsible for understanding larger trends in libraries, publishing, and in commercial library services, such as vendors providing shelf-ready services. This position serves as a guide and mentor to the librarians and staff under its supervision. As technology evolves, Library policies, procedures, and workflows will change, necessitating thorough documentation, communication to all relevant stakeholders, and supportive training for all staff involved. The Head of Acquisitions is expected to be an innovative and inclusive leader, supporting staff as workflows, roles, and skills evolve.

Another major responsibility of the Head of Acquisitions is to create and manage the collections budget under the guidance of the AUL for Scholarly Resources. The AUL for Scholarly Resources has final decision-making authority for the budget. The Head of Acquisitions, with support from the CSD Budget Team, plays a crucial role in supporting the AUL’s decisions by gathering information and working closely with the AUL throughout the fiscal year. This includes (but is not limited to): performing budget analysis and projections; making annual allocations to individual funds and collaborative purchases; communicating regularly with selectors to ensure on-track spending; reconciling expenditures; executing fiscal close; and reconciling collections expenditures with the campus financial system.

The UC Berkeley Library participates in consortial agreements with libraries of the University of California system and a significant portion of digital acquisitions are purchased through the California Digital Library. Other collaborative collection agreements are in effect with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Stanford University. The Head of Acquisitions monitors these agreements and assists in the complex functions of ordering and invoicing materials, including the reconciliation at the end of the fiscal year.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all acquisitions activities within the Library.
  • Oversee the acquisition of materials in all formats, including books, journals, databases, and other resources.
  • Develop and implement policies and procedures related to acquisitions, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Stay abreast of trends and developments in acquisitions and scholarly publishing, adapting strategies as needed.
  • Supervise and mentor career staff and students, fostering a culture of excellence and professional growth.
  • Participates in relevant local and UC-wide groups.
• Lead the creation and management of the collections budget, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources.Monitor and analyze consortial agreements.
  • Coordinate with vendors and publishers to negotiate favorable terms and pricing for acquisitions.
  • Provide expertise and support for collection development initiatives and projects as needed.
  • Identify and develop expenditure and usage data to support choices and approaches for local and UC-wide collection development.
  • Develop training workshops on acquisitions processes for subject selectors and other staff.
  • Provide oversight for the gathering and maintenance of various statistics.
• UC Berkeley librarians are expected to participate in library-wide planning and governance, and work effectively in a shared decision-making environment. Advancement in the librarian series is based in part on professional contributions beyond the primary assignment; the successful candidate will show evidence or promise of such contributions to the Library, campus, UC System, and profession.

The UC Berkeley Library is committed to supporting and encouraging a multicultural environment and seeks candidates who can make positive and imaginative contributions in a context of broad diversity.

Librarians are entitled to appropriate professional development leave, vacation leave, sick leave, and all other benefits granted to non-faculty academic personnel. The University has an excellent retirement system and sponsors a variety of group health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans in addition to other benefits.

As a management position, this librarian position is not represented by a bargaining unit and is covered by the UC Academic Personnel Manual (APM).

Department: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/

• Advanced degree

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in acquisitions or collection development within an academic library setting.
• Minimum of 2 years of leadership experience that includes supervisory responsibilities within an academic library setting.

• Master’s degree in library science or equivalent from an ALA-accredited institution.
• Knowledge of current trends and best practices in acquisitions and scholarly publishing.
• Knowledge of the national and international publisher and vendor marketplace for scholarly research materials
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to manage budgets and resources effectively.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in library services and collections.
• Familiarity with library systems and software related to acquisitions and resource management
• Understanding of acquisitions technology, including integrated library systems, vendor databases, and open URL resolvers in local and consortial environments
• Commitment to work in a collaborative environment and the ability to work effectively with diverse staff, to work independently and as a team member.
• Capacity to thrive in an environment of change and respond effectively to shifting needs and priorities.
• Ability to develop and deliver training workshops to staff and librarians.
• Experience in consortial purchasing.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Please refer to the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy and the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.