University of Utah Employment Site logo

Head of Collections & Resource Description (Associate Librarian or Librarian) for the Marriott Library

University of Utah Employment Site
On-site
Salt Lake, Utah, United States
Details
Are you interested in managing a $9.5M collections portfolio and resource description services? The Collections and Scholarly Communication Division at the J. Willard Marriott Library seeks a process-oriented, customer-focused, analytical, and fiscally responsible individual to lead the Collections and Resource Description unit. The Head of Collections & Resource Description manages the library’s vast portfolio of information resources. This position collaborates across the Libraries and with content providers and stakeholders to acquire, manage, describe, and ensure access to information resources in supporting the teaching and research mission of the University of Utah. Additionally, the position provides administrative leadership for collection management for the Utah Academic Library Consortium ( UALC ). The UALC is a statewide consortium of public and private institutions across Utah engaged in cooperative resource purchasing and sharing. Additionally, the J. Willard Marriott Library participates as a member of the Center for Research Libraries and the Greater Western Library Alliance, a consortium of research libraries in the Western and Central United States. As the University embarks upon new strategic directions, this is an exciting time at the University of Utah. Relocation to the Salt Lake City, Utah area is required and will be financially supported by house hunting and moving allowances. This position is currently designed as a hybrid of on-campus and remote work. The telecommuting arrangement will be based on the position’s needs and authorized at the Associate Dean’s discretion. We seek qualified applicants who bring perspectives and experiences that will enrich and strengthen our organization and enhance our commitment to inclusive access and belonging. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those who may not have followed a traditional educational or professional path. The Marriott Library faculty and staff are committed to ensuring that the University of Utah is a place where people can unite to create a compassionate, equitable, and just society. The Utah Office of Refugee Services cited the library’s leadership efforts when it named the University of Utah “Employer of the Year.” Since 2021, we have employed a grant-funded Special Project Archivist to preserve and enhance access to oral histories previously conducted with people from the state’s Native American communities. Current digital exhibits highlight the contributions of diverse groups such as women in STEM , Utah’s Japanese American community, and youth activist artists. Library faculty have recently published/presented research on diversity residency programs, tribal outreach and American Indian intellectual property, inclusive subject headings, and meeting diverse student needs through innovative outreach. We have a long tradition of incorporating universal design principles into our physical and virtual spaces. We are interested in identifying and interviewing candidates with experience and expertise that will contribute to advancing our mission to provide everyone with access to information resources and educational opportunities. To learn about the position or provide a nomination, please contact Melanie Hawks, Assistant Dean for DEI and Director of Library Human Resources, at melanie.hawks@utah.edu . Additional information about the application process can be found at https://lib.utah.edu/faculty-faq.php . Responsibilities Leads a team of librarians and staff (11 FTEs, including 4 direct reports) in the Library’s selection, acquisition, licensing, description, budgeting, and assessment of information resources. Manages the unit’s operations and activities, including establishing priorities, improving processes, delivering training and coaching, and evaluating performance. Collaborates with content providers, library liaisons, consortia, and stakeholders to build and manage the library’s information resources portfolio by implementing efficient and responsive acquisition and collection strategies based on user needs, evidence, institutional priorities, and trends in scholarly communication. Provides administrative leadership services for collections to the Utah Academic Library Consortium, including negotiating licenses with content providers, ensuring access to resources, and conducting collection assessment. Facilitates and promotes open access initiatives and participates in national initiatives focused on transforming scholarly communication. The responsibilities, qualifications, and preferences listed in this posting are intended to give applicants an understanding of the role we are seeking to fill and the types of skills, experience, and education that may have prepared someone to be effective in this role. We do not expect any candidate to be a perfect match for this list or to perform duties with equal proficiency on day one. In your resume and cover letter, please highlight the most relevant qualifications you would bring to this position based on the posting, and tell us how your background, perspective, and experience will help us fulfill our mission and meet our goals. Required Qualifications ALA -accredited MLS / MLIS or equivalent. Experience negotiating with content providers and evaluating licenses to ensure licenses meet users’ needs while minimizing the University’s risks. Experience collaborating with stakeholders to understand their needs and determining optimal strategies for acquiring, managing, describing, and analyzing collections portfolios. Strong supervisory experience, including experience with training, process improvement, coaching, and performance management. Experience with library services platforms, i.e., Alma-Primo Experience with budget development and management, collection analysis, and assessment. Preferred Qualifications Knowledge of current trends, best practices, standards, and new technologies in collection development and resource description. Experience working with library consortiums. To be eligible for appointment to our faculty at the advertised rank (Associate Librarian or [Full] Librarian), the successful candidate must have demonstrated a record of achievement sufficient to be awarded tenure concurrent with the appointment. A packet demonstrating evidence of active participation in professional associations and a record of scholarly engagement will be required at the time of appointment. The successful completion of a criminal background check is required by Utah state law ( http://www.regulations.utah.edu/humanResources/5-130.html ). Compensation: $85,000-$100,000 (includes base pay plus an administrative stipend) dependent on qualifications, plus excellent benefits including a 14.2% retirement contribution to TIAA - CREF /Fidelity, medical and dental coverage, and generous paid sick and vacation time. Salary at the higher end of the range will typically reflect qualifications that make a candidate eligible for appointment at the rank of Librarian. Preferred consideration will be given to all applications received by March 31, 2024.