Access & Acquisitions Senior Librarian

City of Salem; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

PERS contributions 6%

457(b) pre‑tax contributions

Flexible spending accounts

Wellness program

Employee assistance program

Employee health clinic

One weekend and one evening shift per

Job summary

Salem Public Library seeks an Access & Acquisitions Senior Librarian to lead selection, acquisitions, and cataloging for a robust, inclusive collection. You will collaborate with selectors, manage budgets, and oversee processes with a focus on service excellence and lifelong learning for Salem.

The role emphasizes leadership in a complex, multi-division environment and requires experience with library systems, readers advisory, and staff training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in library science or related field.
• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science preferred.
• Experience with acquisitions and collection development advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate selections to build a robust, inclusive library collection.
• Manage acquisitions, cataloging, and electronic resources.
• Lead, train, and coordinate staff and volunteers within the Access & Acquisitions team.
• Develop and implement process improvements and project plans.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Collaboration

Problem solving

Project coordination

Education

Master’s degree in Library and Information Science

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

Integrated Library Systems (ILS)

MARC cataloging tools

Job description

Make an impact:

The Salem Public Library is seeking a collaborative, engaging, and service-oriented individual whose main objective is to deliver excellent internal and external customer service as an Access & Acquisitions Senior Librarian at Salem Public Library. This position will coordinate and participate in selecting physical and digital materials for the library’s collection to ensure that the library maintains a robust, inclusive, and accessible collection, which aligns with the Salem Public Library’s Collection Development Policy, Strategic Plan, and Mission.

The Senior Librarian classification is distinguished from the Librarian classification in that Senior Librarians are responsible for the design and application of the full scope of professional library knowledge and techniques, coordinate more complex and multi-division projects and provide oversight to project members, vendors, or other stakeholders, assumes a greater level of decision-making responsibilities and oversight of lower-level classifications, and/or responsibility of a sub-unit of the Library.

Employees work under general supervision. Supervision of other employees is not a responsibility of this classification. Employees in this classification act in a lead role and participate in the Person-In-Charge program.

Learn and grow:

We value our employees and their professional development. As a Salem Public Library librarian, you will have:

• Access to training opportunities at the library and through professional organizations;
• Opportunities to become involved in the Oregon Library Association and other professional organizations;
• Experiences that further develop your collection management, readers advisory, and direct customer service skills;
• An opportunity to develop leadership and problem-solving skills as a member of the Person-in-Charge team.

What you will do:

The Access & Acquisitions Senior Librarian will create and maintain meaningful connections with patrons, coworkers, vendors, and library partners. They will collaborate with coworkers and support the library mission of “engaging all of Salem in lifelong learning, accessing information, and making meaningful connections.”

The Access & Acquisitions Senior Librarian will:

• Coordinate and collaborate with selectors to ensure that fund allocations are equitably distributed and used to build and maintain a robust, inclusive, and accessible library collection.
• Work closely with the Access & Acquisitions Supervisor to ensure that the library materials budget, including Foundation, Friends, and Trust and Agency funds, are spent responsibly and appropriately.
• Build and maintain relationships with vendors and service providers to establish accounts, troubleshoot issues, and submit invoices.
• Perform selection, acquisitions, cataloging, subscription and electronic resource management.
• Train staff to select materials that enhance the library’s collection, including selecting philosophies, support materials, and deaccession practices
• Work as a member of the Access & Acquisitions team. Library programming and outreach are not part of the regular job duties for this position.

Learn more about the Salem Public Library at: https://www.cityofsalem.net/community/library

Additional information on job responsibilities:

• Coordination of a sub-unit of the Library including but not limited to providing service design and oversight of product delivery.
• Develop and coordinate complex multi-division project plans, timelines, and resource allocations for assigned projects with measurable outcomes. Delegate and oversee the project work of other staff, volunteers, stakeholders, and vendors.
• Lead and facilitate collaborative initiatives and efforts that further division and library goals.
• Develop operational and functional processes and process improvement strategies, including procedure and practice development and implementation.
• Plan, prioritize, coordinate and facilitate delivery of day-to-day services, functions, and work activities.
• Implement service delivery of day-to-day library functions on location and offsite.
• Connect customers with library products, services, materials and events, including to answer and resolve questions about services and accounts, and provide information, directions and referrals. Provide routine and complex reference and readers' advisory as required.
• Research, develop, plan, coordinate and implement projects and services, including evaluation, data analytics, and report/presentation development.
• Manage assigned areas of the library collection including selection, evaluation, and maintenance of library materials and other resources according to local policies and industry standards.
• Facilitate the training of staff and volunteers in library theories and practices. Coordinate and provide functional, technical, and lead direction to librarians, library assistant classifications and volunteers.
• Respond, report, and resolve issues regarding general aspects of library maintenance, appearance, customer behavior, safety and security issues. Responsible for building and staff in absence of manager or supervisor and as part of the Person-In-Charge program.
• Perform basic troubleshooting and maintenance of equipment, Wi‑Fi and software.
• Perform all work of lower library classifications.

What can we offer for all your hard work?

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
• Competitive pay.
• Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
• Opportunity for voluntary pre‑tax contributions to a 457b account.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Voluntary long‑term care.
• Employee wellness program.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee health clinic.
• Position schedule will include working one weekend and one evening shift.
• The City of Salem offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Equal Pay.

What are the minimum qualifications?

• Must pass the pre-employment background check and drug test (including marijuana).

  • Depending on area of assignment, may be required to have valid Oregon driver’s license (or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of residency) and meet the City of Salem’s driving standards, or have reliable transportation to travel to and from work sites, events, trainings, and meetings.
  • Minimum of two (2) years' progressively responsible professional librarian work or any equivalent combination of education and experience in a public service-related field that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed, and ability to perform the essential job functions.
  • A college degree from an accredited college or university in a related field to program assignment (i.e., library sciences, business management, hospitality, social work, psychology, etc.)
  • Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to give detailed information in your application that includes your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as requested in the supplemental questions and job advertisement.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master’s degree in Library and/or Information Science.
  • Bilingual skills in Spanish.

What you will bring along (desired):

• Relevant experience in collection development, acquisitions, and/or management of electronic resources
• Experience with Integrated Library Systems, specifically modules for acquisitions, serials, cataloging, and reports.
• Demonstrated functional knowledge of current cataloging practices (AACR2, RDA, MARC records, LCSH, DDC, etc.) and an understanding of the principles of authority control.

• Leadership, supervision, and customer service skills.
• Effective and creative problem-solving, decision-making, and adaptability to manage diverse and competing demands and implement solutions.
• Communicate effectively in all formats with diverse customers, employees, contractors, other agencies, public officials, the general public and volunteers.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public.

• Respect, seek to understand, and value individual differences to foster and support a diverse and inclusive workplace.

About us:

Salem is the second largest city in Oregon and the capital city. Centrally located in the Willamette Valley, Salem is 49 square miles in size and extends across to counties, Marion and Polk. The community has well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings with wide diversity and a family-friendly ambiance. The city is home to nearly 180,000 residents. For a full community profile detailing demographics and housing statistics, visit the City of Salem website.

The City of Salem organization has eight primary departments: Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community Planning and Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City of Salem employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members and works collaboratively with five labor unions.

The Salem Police Department is the fourth largest agency in Oregon. We are a full-service department with myriad special teams and career advancement opportunities. In November 2020, the department moved into a modern 104,000-square-foot facility with many amenities for employees, featuring purposeful efficiency design for operations and amenities that promote employee wellness.

The Public Works Department values employees and their professional development. If you are someone that takes pride in collaborating on innovative ideas, proactively responding to community needs, and being a good environmental and financial steward, we look forward to meeting you! The Public Works Department promotes a healthy work life balance, while maintaining the utmost dedication to the health, safety, and welfare of our community, including our team!

The Urban Renewal Agency and the Salem Housing Authority are separate municipal corporations. The Agency contracts with the City for services and the Authority is led by the Housing Administrator within the Urban Development department.

Where can I find out more about the position?

Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Librarian, Senior or view by clicking here.

We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to, and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.