Acquisitions Librarian

Acquisitions Librarian

Arthur W. Diamond Law Library

Columbia University

The Arthur W. Diamond Law Library of Columbia University invites applications and nominations for the position of Acquisitions Librarian. 

Reporting to the Head of Acquisitions + Finance, the Acquisitions Librarian oversees and administers the development and management of the Acquisitions Unit.  The Acquisitions Librarian is responsible for a $2.9m library materials budget which includes endowments and gifts.  The position also works closely with all parts of the library.

Primary responsibilities include:

• ·         Managing all routine activities in the daily operation of the Acquisitions unit, including ordering, payment, refunds/credits, claiming, cancellations, title transfers, troubleshooting and solving problem related to orders and payments.
• ·         Managing and expending acquisitions budget and producing financial reports from the ILS that clearly track monies allocated, encumbered and expended for different types of materials and subject areas
• ·         Supervising Acquisitions & Finance support staff members including interviewing, hiring, coaching, evaluating performance and setting schedules, monitoring attendance and handling routine personnel issues.
• ·         Managing the internal education and training program for staff with acquisitions and finance responsibilities including training, and staff development. and ensuring monthly reconciliation of all materials funds with ARC reports.
• ·         Ensuring accurate coding and quality control of order records in local system for use in statistics gathering and reporting.
• ·         Acting as liaison to other sections and departments in the law library and throughout the University regarding acquisitions policies and procedures.
• ·         Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with book/serial vendors and electronic service providers; ensuring the review of current and prospective vendors and publishers to assess service, establishing expectations for vendor performance and pricing, renegotiating discount/pricing structures with appropriate vendors.
• ·         Participating in the administrative routine of the Law Library including internal committee work, preparing narrative and statistical reports concerning acquisitions activities, assisting in compiling other management information as needed. Substituting for the department head when necessary.

The ideal candidate should be self-motivated, possess superior communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrate a strong service orientation and an ability to work with varied user groups, be able to function effectively in a team environment, be able to train staff in new technologies for acquisitions control, and have an awareness of current trends in law library technical services. 

Minimum Qualifications:

M.L.S. from an ALA accredited institution; demonstrated supervisory abilities and experience; knowledge of legal publications, the legal publishing industry; familiarity with integrated library systems; demonstrated problem solving skills with the ability to resolve multifaceted problems and develop/implement solutions; ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse groups; excellent organizational and interpersonal skills; excellent communication skills, both oral and written; working knowledge of two foreign languages. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Professional experience working with acquisitions in a major research or law library; experience using Innovative Interfaces; additional foreign languages. 

For immediate consideration please apply online:

 

https://academicjobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=63159

 

Columbia University is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and strongly encourages individuals of all backgrounds and cultures to consider this position.

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