Title:
Electronic Resources Librarian
Department:
Van Houten Library
Reports To:
Associate University Librarian-Collections & Information Technology Van Houten Library
Position Type:
Staff
Position Summary:
The Robert W. Van Houten Library at New Jersey
Institute of Technology (NJIT) seeks an innovative and detail-oriented
Electronic Resources Librarian (ERL) for a full-time, non-tenure-track
position. This role is critical to advancing the library’s mission of managing
and providing seamless access to digital content. Reporting to the Associate
University Librarian for Collections and Information Technology, the ERL will
oversee the lifecycle management of electronic and digital resources, including
contract negotiations, licensing, and transformative agreements, and ensure
discovery and seamless access to digital collections. This position will play a
key role in supporting digital resource management initiatives, collaborating
with faculty and stakeholders, staying informed on trends in libraries and
higher education, and maintaining a strong focus on exceptional customer
service and teamwork.
This position requires a 35-hour workweek,
which currently includes one remote workday per week. It may also require one
evening shift per week and occasional weekend hours as needed.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute
to the transformation of library services and digital resource management at
NJIT, ensuring access to cutting-edge digital content while upholding the
university’s mission of innovation and excellence.
Essential Functions:
Digital
Resource Management (50%)
- Oversees the lifecycle management of electronic resources,
including subscriptions, databases, e-books, journals, and streaming
media. Conducts product research, coordinates trials, and evaluates offers
to support informed decision-making.
- Negotiates and formalizes resource licenses with internal
departments, publishers, vendors, and consortia, ensuring favorable
pricing and terms.
- Participates in budget planning and management; ensures accurate
invoice payments and distributes departmental allotments based on
established formulas.
- Resolves issues such as broken links, authentication errors, and
connectivity problems to ensure uninterrupted access to electronic
resources. Coordinates with vendors, IT staff, and other stakeholders to
provide timely solutions.
- Coordinates with the open access staff to advance transformative
agreements that align with the library’s strategic goals and enhance
access to scholarly content.
- Collects, analyzes, and presents usage data to inform purchasing,
renewal, and cancellation decisions. Shares findings with stakeholders to
support strategic planning.
- Collaborates with acquisitions, cataloging, collection
development, and user services teams to manage electronic resources
effectively.
- Works closely with the assessment staff to design and implement
strategies for evaluating electronic resources, leveraging data to guide
informed collection development decisions.
- Stays informed on trends and best practices in electronic
resource management, participating in user groups and open-source
communities to enhance access and discoverability. Maintains consistent
service quality, procedures, and best practices.
Acquisitions
and Serials Management (45%)
- Oversees acquisitions operations, including resource allocations,
encumbrances, and the library management system’s (LMS) acquisition
module.
- Manages serials operations, including receiving, activating,
updating, binding, and repairing physical items.
- Guides interlibrary loan (ILL) operations, including managing the
acquisition of electronic resources from Reprints Desk and other
commercial vendors.
Research and Instruction
Management (5%)
- Provides research and reference support to library users
virtually and in person. Assists with library searches and connects
patrons with appropriate resources. Serves as backup at the research help
desk as needed.
- Develops and maintains guides and tutorials to support
instructional and research activities, focusing on enhancing access to and
effective use of electronic resources.
Additional Functions:
- Serves as the primary representative for
electronic and digital resources on campus, system-wide, state, national,
and international levels.
- Contributes to projects, including
accreditation reviews and new program development. Participates in
University and Library committees and engages in professional growth
through scholarship and service to library organizations as appropriate.
- Performs additional professional
responsibilities as required.
Prerequisite Qualifications:
- A Master’s degree in library or information science from an
ALA-accredited program or equivalent degree in a related discipline.
- At least three (3) years of professional experience with
electronic resource lifecycle management and licensing contracts.
- Expertise in licensing agreements, records management, and
understanding archival rights, perpetual access, open access, interlibrary
loan, copyright, and fair use.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel and data analysis tools for library
decision-making.
- Possessing strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication
skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines,
and work independently and collaboratively.
- At the university's discretion, the education and experience
prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the
satisfaction of the university, an equivalent combination of education and
experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the
position.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with
essential library systems and tools, including the management of electronic
resources and authentication processes such as IP-based proxy services,
federated identity solution like OpenAthens.
- Demonstrated ability to
troubleshoot technical issues with electronic resources, including
authentication errors, link resolver challenges, vendor platform problems,
licensing and subscription discrepancies, browser compatibility issues,
network disruptions, and user-related errors.
- Familiarity with general
metadata concepts and frameworks relevant to library resources, such as
usage statistics standards (e.g., SUSHI and COUNTER) and basic principles
for organizing and describing digital content.
- Familiarity with library
management and discovery tools (Ex Libris Alma and Primo) and platforms
commonly used for resource access and user services, such as Springshare
products, RapidILL, or similar systems.
- Project Management certification such as CAPM or PMP or proven
experience managing projects, including planning, execution, and stakeholder
collaboration to meet objectives.
Bargaining Unit:
PSA
Range/Band:
23
FLSA:
Exempt
Full-Time
Special Instructions to
Applicants:
Applicants should include the following for
consideration:
- A cover letter addressing qualifications for the position,
- A CV/résumé, and
- Contact information for three (3) references, including at least one (1) current or past supervisor.
References will only be contacted if the
candidate is selected as a finalist. Applications will be reviewed immediately
and continue until the position is filled.
Research indicates that women and individuals from underrepresented
groups often hesitate to apply for roles unless they meet every qualification.
At NJIT, we understand that no candidate will perfectly match 100% of the
qualifications listed. If this role resonates with you and aligns with your
skills and experiences, we strongly encourage you to apply.