Acquisitions Librarian
Folger Shakespeare Library Job Location: District of Columbia Apply By: Open until filled Date Created: 06-13-2022
- This is a monthly-paid salaried position, with a range of $70,000-$80,000.
- Total compensation includes paid time off and an extensive benefits plan, including fully-covered health, dental, and vision insurance, and a generous 403(b) match, outlined at https://www.folger.edu/employee-benefits.
- Cultivates and maintains excellent working relations with all vendors, dealers, and donors.
- Participates in the creation and management of the Collections budget.
- Monitors Acquisitions expenditures, provides expenditure reports. Manages the allocation of restricted and unrestricted funds for the purchase of rare items.
- In consultation with appropriate staff, reviews and maintains current approval plans.
- Coordinates subscriptions for electronic resources and their access procedures with the Acquisitions Coordinator for Electronic Resources and Secondary Research Material.
- Reviews and negotiates new license agreements. Engages in and promotes ethical practices in purchasing, and complies with licensing terms and access agreements.
- Supervises and reviews the processing of all new acquisitions, whether purchases or gifts of items, maintaining accurate acquisition and donor records.
- Supervises the preparation of orders, correspondence, reports, and maintenance of office files.
- Oversees staff in providing detailed information to Development to facilitate donor communication. Ensures all invoices are paid in a timely manner.
- Provides an open and supportive working environment for Acquisitions staff and fosters good working relationships with other units and divisions of Collections and the institution.
- Works closely with the Associate Librarian for Collections Care and Development in planning and executing Acquisitions Group procedures.
- Participates with other members of the Collections Care and Development group in developing and executing communal goals and projects.
- Works with conservators to plan for the needs of newly ordered or acquired materials.
- Collaborates with Advancement to successfully manage gift-in-kind arrangements.
- Participates in the organization of fundraising events for the Acquisitions department with collaboration from appropriate sources.
- Demonstrates a commitment to applying, promoting, and enhancing the Folger’s DEIA values within acquisitions work.
- Participates in the management of a digital asset collection development policy.
- Acts as one of the Acquisitions Department representatives on staff committees and/or assists on projects for committees.
- Maintains current awareness of trends in the management and integration of Acquisitions activities within technical and public services. Serves as an ambassador for the Folger at conferences.
- Performs other acquisition duties as assigned.
- Supervises two full-time positions, Acquisitions Specialist and Acquisitions Coordinator for Electronic Resources.
- Will be required to train and supervise interns or volunteers working on departmental projects as needed.
- Master’s degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA-accredited program, or equivalent experience, is required.
- Must have demonstrated supervisory experience with a commitment to mentoring, training, and staff development.
- Proficiency in the use of integrated library systems and spreadsheets is necessary.
- Familiarity with MARC records or bibliographic description in general is required.
- Bibliographic knowledge of a modern European language, preferably Italian, French, or German, is preferred.
- Bibliographic knowledge of Latin is preferred.
- Must be able to handle multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work with meticulous attention to detail.
- Ability to work and lead collaboratively with individuals and groups is required.
- Must have excellent oral and written communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.
- At least 3 years’ experience in Acquisitions, book trade, or an academic library setting (or equivalent organization) required.
- Supervisory and office management experience required.
- Must have experience with fund accounting, library budgeting, and acquisitions practices. Experience working with vendors and content providers, and with standards and practices used in ordering electronic resources is required.
- Must have demonstrated experience handling multiple priorities and/or projects, and with working both independently and collaboratively with staff at all levels and of diverse backgrounds.
- Normal work week is Monday-Friday, 8:45 am to 4:45 pm. Ability to work varying and additional hours as project demands arise (including evenings and weekends as necessary).
- Willingness and capacity to work in an office environment at a workstation, and to come and go repeatedly throughout the day as is necessary, to perform various responsibilities.
- Capacity to communicate, in person using video, phone, or electronic communication methods, which can be understood by others.