from: lsipe_at_usc.edu
[This is a professionally rewarding and challenging position. Please
consider applying or referring this to other qualified candidates!
Thanks. LS]
Head, Acquisitions
Position #278
USC Libraries
University of Southern California
POSITION SUMMARY
The University of Southern California (USC) Libraries seeks a
knowledgeable, experienced, innovative information
professional to lead the acquisitions functions of the Technical
Services Department through the multifaceted, rapidly
changing environment of acquisitions librarianship. The Head,
Acquisitions will help position the Technical Services' staff
to meet the challenges of new systems, new technologies, and new ways of
envisioning traditional acquisitions functions.
Reporting to the Director of Technical Services, the Head is responsible
for the overall management of serials acquisitions,
monographic acquisitions, and electronic resources, including management
of the ordering and receipt of materials in all
languages and formats, approval of invoices and the expenditure of
regular and restricted funds for a multi-million dollar
budget. The Head manages three unit supervisors; the section has a total
of sixteen staff. The Head sets goals and direction
for the section consistent with those set by USC Libraries, assesses
workflow, and creatively reorganizes the section, if
appropriate. The successful candidate is expected to be up-to-date on
relevant library and scholarly information trends and
practices and be able to apply this knowledge to have a significant,
positive impact on the USC community.
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Located in Los Angeles, a global center for arts, technology and
international trade, the University of Southern California is
one of the world's leading private research universities. USC enrolls
more international students than any other U.S.
university and offers extensive opportunities for internships and study
abroad. With a strong tradition of integrating liberal
and professional education, USC fosters a vibrant culture of public
service and encourages students to cross academic as
well as geographic boundaries in their pursuit of knowledge. For more
information, see http://www.usc.edu.
USC LIBRARIES
The USC Libraries actively support the discovery, creation, and
preservation of knowledge. We develop collections and
services that support and encourage the academic endeavors of faculty,
students, and staff; build a community of critical
consumers of information; and help develop engaged world citizens.
Through these means, we contribute to the continued
success of the University of Southern California. The USC Libraries
includes the Doheny Memorial Library and fourteen
specialized libraries with an operating budget of approximately $37
million. Library collections encompass over 4 million
volumes, 5.8 million microforms, 3.1 million images, 49,100 linear feet
of manuscripts and archives, with access to over
97,700 serials in print and electronic formats, and nearly 366,000
e-books. For more information, see
http://www.usc.edu/libraries.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Reporting to the Director of Technical Services, the Head of
Acquisitions will:
. Manage the Acquisitions Section
. Oversee all aspects of the order and receipt workflows
. Monitor and report on serial price increases and generate vendor
reports, as needed
. Set clear goals, objectives, and targets for the members of the
Acquisitions Section that align with USC Libraries'
strategic objectives
. Use effectively the report module of the integrated library system
(Sirsi), the electronic resources management
system (Serials Solutions) and other modules such as serials control
. Create and maintain accurate spreadsheets, statistics, and records
. Ensure the efficiency and effective workflow of the acquisition of
library resources in all formats (electronic, print,
multimedia, microform, etc.) up to, but not including, cataloging
. Solve problems and suggest innovative solutions in managing the work
of the section
. Collaborate with the acquisitions units in the Health Sciences
Libraries and the Law Libraries on matters of mutual
interest and
. Work collegially and responsively with the library's subject selectors
and public service units.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum qualifications: MLS from an ALA-accredited program or non-U.S.
equivalent is typically required for a librarian
appointment and at least three years' experience as a manager in a large
academic, research or public library acquisitions
department. In addition, candidates must have demonstrated:
. knowledge of core skills, including e-resource acquisition and
management, automated bibliographic systems,
serials control, and approval plans
. working knowledge of integrated library systems (e.g., Sirsi),
database systems, word processing, spreadsheets
. experience in assessing and recommending systems for managing
acquisitions processes and operations
. excellent judgment and decision-making skills
. ability to deal with change, ambiguity and complex problems and to
effect change in a positive way
. ability to understand relationships between multiple library systems
. experience in implementing guidelines with rigor, accuracy, and
thoroughness
. flexibility to work independently and as part of a team
. superior ability to communicate complex topics effectively, both
verbally and in writing
. ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines, and
. experience working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Desired qualifications: At least five years' experience as a manager,
preferably in both an acquisition and electronic
resources department at a large academic, research or public library;
fluency in a non-English language; and demonstrated
experience leading a successful reorganization.
APPOINTMENT RANK/SALARY
Assistant or Associate University Librarian: continuing appointment
track rank and salary commensurate with experience
and qualifications.
Librarians at USC have faculty status. Appointment to the continuing
appointment track requires the potential to meet the
university's requirements for the granting of continuing appointment,
which is based on demonstrated excellent
performance and the expectation of continued excellence and growth in
professional expertise. For more information on
Guidelines on Criteria and Qualifications for the Appointment, Promotion
and Continuing Appointment of Librarians on
the Continuing Appointment Track, see:
http://www.usc.edu/libraries/about/faculty/documents/Criteria_document07152008.pdf
BENEFITS
This position is full-time on a 12-month contract. Benefits include a
choice of retirement programs, 22 paid vacation days
per year, university holidays, a choice of medical and dental plans, and
tuition assistance (for employees and eligible
dependents).
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applications must be submitted via electronic mail. Candidates should
submit a letter of application, full curriculum vitae
(including telephone and e-mail address), and the names, addresses,
telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of at least six
references to:
Nannette Edelman, Faculty Services Coordinator
libfacjobs_at_usc.edu
Subject: Search Committee #278
USC Libraries
University of Southern California
Closing date for applications: May 1, 2011
For more information about this position, contact R. Wayne Shoaf, Chair,
Search Committee, at shoaf_at_usc.edu.
The University of Southern California values diversity and is committed
to equal opportunity in employment.
USC is an EO/AA Employer.
Revised: 2/16/11
Received on Fri Apr 15 2011 - 03:11:42 EDT