Electronic Resources Librarian

The University of Iowa Libraries is seeking an Electronic Resources Librarian (ERL) who is responsible for managing the Acquisitions life cycle of electronic resources, including journals, databases, and e-books. Reporting to the Director of Acquisitions, the ERL is also responsible for managing serials, including ordering, receiving, and maintaining serials in electronic formats; for training, supervising, and evaluating at least one student employee; and for developing and overseeing assessment strategies and conducting ongoing assessment. The ERL provides leadership and administers day-to-day operations in electronic resource management, working closely with colleagues in Acquisitions, Cataloging, IT, and throughout the University Libraries system. This position requires excellent organizational and analytical skills, proven problem-solving capability, flexibility, and ability to meet deadlines in a complex, dynamic, and diverse environment. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Serve as primary manager of all aspects of library electronic resources including subscriptions, funding reports, consortia and other electronic packages, activating/deactivating, and troubleshooting.
2. Analyze and interpret electronic resource usage statistics, such as COUNTER reports and turnaways, in support of stakeholder needs and the University Libraries’ strategic mission.
3. Negotiate pricing with vendors and publishers, ensuring contract compliance and maintaining ongoing electronic resource agreements.
4. Review and participate in triage problem resolution with Public Service and LIT staff as well as other Acquisitions staff for e-resource problems. Resolves or forwards urgent problems as appropriate.
5. Perform and delegate electronic maintenance work including such tasks such as link checking and maintaining the database A-Z list. Distribute problems and questions to appropriate staff.
6. Work closely with the other ERL and Library Assistant(s) in Acquisitions and others across the Libraries as it related to electronic resources. Supervise, train, and evaluate at least one student worker. Interact with vendors, publishers, library IT staff and subject selectors.
7. Establish and document workflows, processes, and best practices for electronic resources acquisition, licensing, implementation, assessment, and budgeting.
8. Monitor trends and best practices related to electronic resource access, discoverability, data harvesting, usage analysis, and preservation to enhance library services.
9. Serve on relevant University committees and Libraries teams, as well as pursue professional development opportunities in regional and national organizations.
10. Actively supports the University of Iowa Libraries commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion (DEAI) in the workplace.
11. Other library-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program.
• Two or more years of professional library experience, and demonstrated interest in professional development that will enhance the candidate’s value to the Libraries, the University, the profession, or the scholarly community.
• Direct experience with electronic resource management, link resolvers, and proxy server functionality.
• Knowledge of the concepts and issues relating to the lifecycle of electronic resources.
• Knowledge of electronic resource content models, emerging formats, acquisition methods, and licensing.
• Excellent computer skills including spreadsheet expertise and preparing reports.
• Experience providing excellent customer service and technical support.
• Experience working closely with library resource vendors and billing departments.
• Experience troubleshooting electronic access and subscription-related problems.
• Demonstrated understanding of the mission and functions of a large academic research library.
• Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, access and inclusion in the workplace or community.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in evaluating the effectiveness of collections, processes, and services.
• Conceptual and practical knowledge of various electronic resource management standards and tools.
• Consortia experience.
• Experience preparing library system and database use analytics and reports.
• Experience providing user support for library electronic resources.
• Experience with Ex Libris Alma is strongly preferred.
• Experience with license agreements.

Application Details: To apply for the position: http://p.rfer.us/UIOWAuGU9Qu Applications are only accepted through the Jobs@UIOWA website. In order to be eligible for interview, applicants must upload the following and mark them as “relevant files” when you upload the documents:

1. Current resume
2. Cover letter that clearly addresses how you meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.
3. Statement regarding diversity, equity, access, and inclusion. The University of Iowa Libraries welcomes and serves all, including people of color from all nations, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+, and the most vulnerable in our community. We safeguard the human right to access information. We offer educational resources that promote diversity, equity, access, and inclusion, and we strive to build collections that reflect all points of view on current and historical issues. Include an applicant statement to include examples of ways you have advanced diversity, equity, access, and inclusion in the workplace or community or provide other evidence of your demonstrated commitment to diversity.

The Specialist Librarian classification starting salary range is $52,500–$65,000. This position will be posted through at least November 7, 2021, and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal background check and degree verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. 

Equal opportunity/affirmative action employer

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preference, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.

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