We are hiring!

Smith College Libraries is seeking a Head of Collection Strategies who is eager to shape the future of our print and electronic collection. This exciting opportunity offers the chance to direct, manage, and coordinate our general collection while supervising a team of 5 and managing a materials budget of over $4 million.

In this pivotal role, you'll have the chance to craft collection development strategies, drive assessment initiatives, negotiate electronic resource contracts, and create engaging communication campaigns that keep our campus community informed. Our dynamic environment is constantly changing, and we need a strategic, forward-thinking individual who can adapt and thrive in this fast-paced world.

Job Summary

Lead, manage, and coordinate print and electronic collection development and management for the Smith College Libraries.  Supervise 5 staff responsible for the acquisition and full lifecycle of the library’s general print and electronic collection.   In conjunction with the Director of Collections, Discovery, and Systems, oversee the Libraries’ materials budget of over $4 million.  Provide strategic direction for collection decisions based on data collection and assessment, curricular and research needs, and available financial resources.  Coordinate Smith’s collaborative collection efforts within the Five Colleges and other shared print preservation initiatives such as EAST and HathiTrust.

Essential Functions

Leadership:

Lead the Collection Services Department, including Acquisitions, Electronic Resources and Serials.  With senior library leadership, develop collections policies, establish long- and short-term programs, set goals and establish priorities, including allocation of staff and other resources.  Provide leadership in developing and implementing collecting and fund management strategy in alignment with the College’s needs and the Libraries’ strategic directions. Chair of the Collection Development Team.

Collection Development and Assessment:

Develop, coordinate, implement, and assess current and long-range planning for collection management.

• Collection Development: create and maintain a collection development policy for general collections, including print, electronic, media, and other resources and formats. Oversee an efficient and effective selection of materials in all formats, working closely with staff, liaisons, faculty, donors, consortia, publishers, and vendors. Track, adapt and adopt best practices for collection development. Lead SCL’s Collection Development Team in collaboratively developing and implementing collection policies.

• Assessment: analyze, adapt, and respond to trends in publishing, pricing, scholarly communication, and the changing information needs of students and faculty. Conduct collection analysis and usage studies to inform planning and operations. 

• Fiscal Planning: ensure the effective and appropriate use of all funds in a materials budget of over 4 million. Create and maintain budget strategies for the general collection, e.g. reductions (5-20%), use of new gifts and resources, shifting funds to meet shifting collection needs such as print to electronic, and more.

• Working with Five College partners, lead Smith’s efforts to formulate and implement cooperative acquisitions and retention programs across the Five Colleges and other library consortia.

• Collaborate with the Resource Sharing Librarian on regular assessment of on-campus collections to identify materials to transfer to off-site Annex storage.  Lead or participate in Five College projects to facilitate collaborative collection development.

E-Resource Services:

• Review and negotiate electronic resource contracts to ensure compliance and serve as the Libraries’ primary signatory for electronic resource licenses and agreements

Outreach & Communication:  

• Provide effective and consistent communications with campus constituencies regarding the library’s general collections.   Coordinate with librarian liaisons to academic departments and programs in keeping faculty informed of collections matters and selecting materials to support all programs and subject areas taught at Smith.

• Collaborate with the Communications Manager, the Electronic Resource Librarians, and the Communications Committee in sharing information with the faculty, staff, and students on a variety of collections activities and outcomes including new resources, developments in Five College collaborations in creating a shared collection, raising awareness of opportunities for acquiring new formats such as data, and born-digital.

• Represent Smith College Libraries through participation in local, state, or national organizations. Participate in conferences as a speaker and/or assisting with program planning.

•  Perform related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program; 3-5 years of relevant professional library experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  Supervisor experience required.

Skills & Preferred Qualifications

Experience in collection development, budget preparation, and management.  Knowledge of collection development, library cataloging, and acquisitions procedures and processes.  Demonstrated ability to work flexibly, independently and collaboratively with colleagues and library users in a rapidly changing service environment.  Ability to take initiative, solve problems and prioritize work effectively. Awareness of new technologies and trends and their applications for library services. Ability to effectively manage multiple and competing projects and priorities.  Excellent oral and written communication skills. Reading knowledge of one or more Western European languages desirable.