Acquisitions and Resource Access Specialist / Library Technician 3

POSITION SUMMARY:

Date application must be received for priority consideration by: September 29, 2025
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: October 15, 2025
Closing Date or if blank, Open Until Filled:
Job Family Group: Support Staff
Support Staff Classification Title: Library Technician 3
Division/Department: Academic Affairs / University Library and Undergraduate Studies
Compensation Range (commensurate with experience): Salary Range 19, Steps 1-3, $20.37-$22.17 per hour / $3,530-$3,843 monthly
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Appointment Basis: 12-month
Time Type: Full-time
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Renewable/Non-renewable/Grants/Limited Duration: Renewable
This position must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License: No
This position is designated as a critical, security-sensitive or safety-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal Background Check: Yes
Remote Work Type: On-campus
Work Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Worker Status: Must be able to legally work in the United States without visa sponsorship

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT:

• Each applicant is required to provide (as attachments to the online application) the following supplemental documents: (1) a letter providing some detail of the applicant’s qualifications and interest in the position; and (2) current resume/CV. - PLEASE NOTE - during the application process, you will be prompted to attach these documents in the area titled "Resume." Please either combine ALL documents into ONE attachment, OR upload each item separately in this section. Failure to upload ALL of the required documents may disqualify application from consideration.
• For inquiries and additional information, please contact Human Resource Services via email at hrs@sou.edu or by phone at (541)552-8553.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Acquisitions and Resource Access Specialist (a Librarian Technician 3 position) is responsible for the purchasing of physical and online information resources for the library and facilitating access to these resources through copy cataloging and other methods of providing access to resources. It is a full-time position that reports to the Collection Development Librarian and coordinates closely with cataloging and other library staff.

This position is primarily responsible for ordering, receiving, and paying for books, journals, electronic resources, videos, and other materials for the library's collections, utilizing a subsystem of the library services platform as well as the university's automated accounting system.  This position is also responsible for ensuring that print and electronic resources are findable for students and other patrons through our library platforms. This includes copy cataloging as well as activating and otherwise providing access to electronic resources. The Acquisitions and Resource Access Specialist works closely with the Cataloging and Open Access Specialist in overseeing the general day-to-day operations of technical services.

The position performs specialized technical and administrative duties that require a high level of non-routine decision-making, judgment, and independence, advanced/specialized technical service expertise, and a library-wide perspective of procedures and services. 

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelors degree plus two years of current (within 5 years) experience in a Library; OR, 4 years of current library experience; AND, advanced proficiency in multiple library specific computer applications, e.g., integrated library systems, database applications, institutional repository; content management systems.
• Some positions may also require in-depth knowledge of specialty area(s), e.g., original cataloging, complex copy cataloging, serials management, ILL management, government documents, image resources, music.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience with ABLE bindery software or similar.

Essential Functions

Duties - The following examples are typical work activities that are meant to illustrate the general range of work functions and are not meant to be all-inclusive or restrictive:

(35%) Acquisitions:

• Executes a variety of technical and administrative tasks facilitating the purchase of library materials including books, films, electronic resources, and other formats.
• Monitors and renews print periodicals and electronic resources, ensuring that invoices remain within budget.
• Resolves ordering, receiving, and processing issues, including claiming and/or replacing lost or defective materials, including missing periodicals issues.
• Tracks fund balances, generates monthly and annual financial reports, and performs fiscal close duties in the integrated library system.
• Configures and maintains ILS/Vendor System acquisitions-related instances and integrations. 

(35%) Cataloging and Electronic Resource Access:

• Performs MARC copy cataloging compliant with RDA and ISBD standards for physical items (books, videos, etc.) acquired as purchases or gifts by Hannon Library.
• Catalogs using the OCLC Connexion interface and the Orbis Cascade integrated library system.
• Applies Library of Congress (LC) call numbers, or the Dewey Decimal System when appropriate.
• Compiles and supplies cataloging data for monthly and annual statistics.
• Coordinates with Cataloging & Open Access Specialist for canceled serials so that holdings can be updated when last issue arrives.
• Adds, removes, or updates electronic resources (including databases, ejournals, and ebooks) in library systems, including the ILS and LibGuides.
• Activates individual and batch ebook purchases and tests to ensure access.
• Assists in tracking compliance with accessibility standards.

(20%) Statistics, Administration and Management:

• Annually collects and reports usage statistics from all of our electronic resource vendors.
• Collects snapshot statistics on the number of databases, ejournals, ebooks, and streaming services.
• Collects data and statistics relating to the acquisition and usage of print periodicals.
• Performs regular tasks and special projects involving data collection, extraction, analysis, and reporting for acquisitions-related information.
• Creates the annual valuation report that is submitted to Business Services.
• Attends Budget Committee meetings to share acquisitions information and facilitates departmental efficiencies.
• Attends library and university meetings as needed.
• Creates and updates relevant documentation and training materials as appropriate.
• Assist in other areas of the library as needed.
• Other duties as assigned

(10%) Binding and Receiving Donations:

• Prepares serials, monographs, theses for shipment to the commercial bindery.
• Communicates with students who are submitting theses and projects for binding.
• Enters and updates data in the ABLE database.
• Coordinates with Cataloging & Open Access Specialist for student support for these activities.
• Trains students to assist.
• Coordinates the receipt of library materials donations.
• Oversees processing of incoming gift books, including logging donation, generates acknowledgment letters, and condition and holding checks of materials.
• Coordinates with Cataloging & Open Access Specialist for student support for these activities.
• Trains students to assist.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism to effectively handle a broad range of sensitive interpersonal situations.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and consistently apply a wide variety of complex policies and procedures where specific guidelines may not always exist.
• Expressed ability to work with frequent changes in policies and procedures, under pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and research skills; demonstrated ability to gather, evaluate, and to develop well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively assess work operations and anticipate potential problems; ability to develop and implement strategies for preventing/resolving problems.
• Great ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature that requires access to information. Must be able to exercise sound judgment and discretion, tact, and diplomacy.
• Takes initiative in independently planning, organizing, and performing work assignments within broadly defined parameters
• Demonstrated ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the demonstrated ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, social media platforms, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Willingness to and work effectively in a heavily bureaucratic environment which requires regular interaction with a number of levels within the organization and multiple outside agencies.
• Working knowledge or ability to quickly learn, university infrastructure, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to provide training and direction to student assistants.
• Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment utilizing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

Physical Demands

• Normal office activities such as working at a computer.
• Move/transport up to 35 pounds.

Special Conditions

• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work additional hours and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.
• Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment background check.
• This position classification has been defined as non-exempt and is subject to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• The person holding this position is considered a mandatory reporter under the Oregon Revised Statutes and is required to comply with the requirements set forth by the Oregon Department of Human Services.

_________________________

SOU is an equal access AA/EOE committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Southern Oregon University will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of accommodation in order to provide access to the application, interviewing, and selection process. You are not required to note the presence of a disability on this application. If, however, you require a reasonable accommodation in the application and/or interview process due to disability, requests must be made in a timely manner to Human Resources.

Diversity Statement:
Southern Oregon University is a welcoming community committed to inclusive excellence and the celebration of diversity. Without diversity, our educational process is diminished. Working together in support of our commitment to diversity, we strengthen and enrich our role as learners, educators, and members of a tightly connected global community. We encourage those who share in our commitment to diversity, to join our community and we expect all our employees to demonstrate an ability and desire to create an inclusive campus community.

SOU Land Acknowledgement
We want to take this moment to acknowledge that Southern Oregon University is located within the ancestral homelands of the Shasta, Takelma, and Latgawa peoples who lived here since time immemorial. These Tribes were displaced during rapid Euro-American colonization, the Gold Rush, and armed conflict between 1851 and 1856. In the 1850s, the discovery of gold and settlement brought thousands of Euro-Americans to their lands, leading to warfare, epidemics, starvation, and villages being burned. In 1853 the first of several treaties were signed, confederating these Tribes and others together – who would then be referred to as the Rogue River Tribe. These treaties ceded most of their homelands to the United States, and in return, they were guaranteed a permanent homeland reserved for them. At the end of the Rogue River Wars in 1856, these Tribes and many other Tribes from western Oregon were removed to the Siletz Reservation and the Grand Ronde Reservation. Today, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (www.grandronde.org) and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (www.ctsi.nsn.us) are living descendants of the Takelma, Shasta, and Latgawa peoples of this area. We encourage YOU to learn about the land you reside on and to join us in advocating for the inherent sovereignty of Indigenous people.

Notice to Prospective Employees
Section 485 of the Higher Education Act, and The Federal Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (now referred to as the “Clery Act”), require that prospective employees be notified of the availability of SOU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report provides the annual statistics and campus policies for the reporting of and responding to campus crimes and fires; access to campus facilities; conduct code and campus policies on the use, possession, and sale of drugs/alcohol; and educational/information programs to inform the campus community about campus security procedures and crime prevention.

An electronic copy of the Annual Security Report (ASR) can be accessed at the following link: https://cps.sou.edu/clery-act-annual-security-report/.  A physical copy of the ASR is available at no charge upon request. To request a copy, please visit the Office of the General Counsel located in Churchill Hall, 1250 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland, Oregon 97520.  For more information, call 541-552-7095, or email clerycoordinator@sou.edu.