Acquisitions Librarian

Association of Research Libraries; West Virginia; On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established academic institution is seeking a dynamic Acquisitions Librarian for a tenure-track position. This role emphasizes innovative leadership in library acquisitions, focusing on developing efficient practices to enhance collection development. As the library transitions to a new services platform, the successful candidate will play a crucial role in implementing new technologies and improving workflows. Join a collaborative team dedicated to fostering an inclusive and engaging environment, where your contributions will shape the future of library services and support a diverse academic community.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits packages

Tuition assistance

Retirement options

Work-life balance policies

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in library acquisitions.
• Experience managing teams and projects.
• Flexibility in adapting to new workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead acquisition of monographs and streaming media.
• Design processes for the new library system, Alma.
• Maintain positive relationships with vendors and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership in acquisitions

Knowledge of library acquisitions standards

Analytical skills

Collaborative work

Problem-solving

Education

ALA-accredited master’s degree

Master’s in museum studies

Tools

Ex Libris Alma

Spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets)

Job description

Ohio State University Job Location: Ohio Apply By: 06/01/2025 Date Created: 05/07/2025

The Ohio State University seeks enthusiastic and collaborative Acquisitions Librarian for a tenure-track faculty appointment. The Acquisitions Librarian responsibilities have an emphasis on one-time, profile-based and approval plan acquisitions that support the general collection, Special Collections and Area Studies. The Acquisitions Librarian develops efficient and effective practices to support the evolving environment of collection development and acquisitions. Works under the direction of the Electronic Resources Officer and collaboratively across University Libraries to develop innovative processes throughout the life cycle of library collections. The Acquisitions Librarian manages a team of four staff.

The Acquisitions Librarian will join the University Libraries during an exciting period of transition as we implement a new library services platform, Ex Libris’ Alma. University Libraries is actively building a new discovery environment to ensure a user-centered experience of seamless discovery, access, and delivery of library resources launching Summer 2025.

Those at all levels of experience are encouraged to apply. Applicants need not meet desired qualifications to be fully considered. Applicants are encouraged to communicate how their work and other experiences might contribute to success in the position, and to the organization

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership in the acquisition of monographs (including firm order e-books), tangible materials, and streaming media for the collections using one-time, approval, and use-driven collections budgets.
• Maintain knowledge of library acquisitions standards and processes as they emerge and develop. Investigate and implement local initiatives to apply new technologies, tools, services, and partnerships to improve acquisitions workflows.
• Design and continuously improve processes to leverage the new integrated library system, Alma, including possible integrations between Alma and third-party vendor platforms and systems such as from book vendors.
• Ensure that resources are acquired in a timely, fiscally responsible, and effective manner that complies with University legal and financial policies and requirements.
• Communicate, interact and sustain positive and productive relationships with internal and external agents in the business cycle, including campus fiscal offices, multiple library consortia, and vendors.
• Support the streaming media program through identification of vendors, enhance purchasing processes and negotiate licenses for single title leased or owned models, and steward the local hosting of files as needed.
• Monitor approval plan contracts and evaluate services and performance.
• Partner with stakeholders, particularly the Collections Strategist and Electronic Resources Officer, to advance the goals of the University Libraries.
• Lead and develop four Acquisitions staff, set goals and expectations for unit and individual team members.
• Participate actively on library-wide committees, task forces and teams, and represent the University Libraries in consortia partnerships, including OhioLINK and Big Ten Academic Alliance.
• Contribute to developments in the field of librarianship through active professional engagement and research, presenting and publishing in appropriate venues.

Consistently demonstrates commitment to our values and promotes an organizational culture of Discovery, Connection, Equity, Integrity, and Stewardship (https://library.osu.edu/strategic-directions) as well as dedication to advance the work of the Content and Access unit. All other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• An ALA-accredited master’s degree, a master’s degree with specialization in archives, a master’s degree in museum studies; or a comparable graduate degree in one of the above fields from a non-U.S. university, reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current and emerging issues, trends, workflows, business models and best practices in the changing landscape of library acquisitions, gained through at least two years of experience.
• Experience managing people or providing oversight and direction for projects or functions for at least one year.
• Flexibility and creativity in workflow development and identifying process efficiencies to adapt to rapidly evolving acquisitions environment.
• Ability to work effectively and creatively in a collaborative and complex environment.
• Excellent analytical skills, including complex problem solving.
• Commitment to the Libraries’ values of discovery, connection, equity, integrity, and stewardship.
• Commitment to librarianship, scholarship, and service which are required criteria to meet University and University Libraries requirements for promotion and tenure.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience engaging in library consortia activities.
• Experience with applying organizational rules and regulations for procurement.
• Success in leading change initiatives.
• Experience using a library services platform (such as Ex Libris’ Alma or EBSCO’s Folio) or similar inventory systems utilized in related industries.
• Experience with or knowledge of managing contracts or licenses.
• Experience with batch loading records.
• Knowledge of the material acquisition life cycle, of all format types.
• Knowledge of media distribution and acquisition models and licensing practices, especially for film or streaming media.
• Advanced knowledge and experience using spreadsheets (for example, Excel, Google Sheets, Smartsheet) for analysis and project management.
• Reading knowledge of language(s) in addition to English.

Discover Ohio State
Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers and recently ranked No. 4 on Forbes’ list of best U.S. employers for diversity. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

The Ohio State University’sShared Valuesinclude Excellence and Impact, Diversity and Innovation, Inclusion and Equity, Care and Compassion, and Integrity and Respect. Our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.

The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has established Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation (DCFR) to focus on supporting new and prospective faculty and their loved ones. Service offerings include dual careers partner consultations, identifying potential employers and/or employment opportunities, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community. While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are provided to support the partners of new and prospective faculty as they are considering or transitioning to The Ohio State University.

In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies. Ohio State is an NSF ADVANCE institution and a member of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC).

Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and diverse metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. In addition to its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to Ohio State ATI in Wooster.

About The Ohio State University Libraries
The Libraries promotes innovative research and creative expression, advances effective teaching, curates and preserves information essential for scholarship and learning at Ohio State, and shares knowledge and culture with the people of Ohio, the nation, and the world. Libraries faculty and staff live these values in all that we do: Discovery, Connection, Equity, Integrity, and Stewardship. Learn about our strategic directions.

The Libraries’ greatest resource is our faculty and staff. Their expertise produces value beyond the collections and their commitment to continual improvement and innovation is one of the most significant ways the Libraries meets the diverse and evolving information needs of university students, faculty, and staff, alongside scholars throughout Ohio and the world.

As a global leader, the Libraries is actively engaged in local, statewide, national, and international initiatives to help shape the future of academic research libraries. These activities and the innovations that result enhance our ability to acquire, manage, and preserve emerging information resources, support knowledge creation, and enable its effective transmission to future learners. More information is available on the Libraries website.

The Libraries strives to provide welcoming, supportive environments for all to pursue and share knowledge. The Libraries is guided by our strategic priorities and values. All positions are expected to contribute to building and advancing this environment, and we encourage candidates to apply who share these values.

Appointment
This is a full-time, regular, 12-month appointment as a tenure-track faculty member. The candidate will be required to meet university and Libraries requirements for promotion and tenure. Faculty rank at Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor are dependent on qualifications and experience.

The Ohio State University believes in diversity in people and ideas. What Ohio State does matters. And how we do it matters. When we are at our best, we make a real difference to people. We believe that the university should be a place where people can work and learn together in a safe environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, and intimidation. As such, finalists for any faculty position that carries tenure must sign an authorization and disclosure form, which will allow current or prior employer(s) to share information to the University regarding any findings of employment-related misconduct or disciplinary proceedings against a candidate and/or any pending investigations related to alleged misconduct. Such information shall include findings and pending investigations with respect to sexual harassment, violence, or harassment; research misconduct; financial fraud or misconduct; foreign influence violations, grant misuse or misconduct; and/or any other type of finding or pending investigation relating to a candidate’s employer’s policies and rules governing faculty conduct that may reasonably be expected to affect a candidate’s appointment. If the University becomes aware of any past finding of misconduct or pending investigations that were not disclosed, Ohio State will treat that as a serious omission and reserves the right to rescind an offer or terminate employment.

Salary
$70,000 to $80,000 annual salary negotiable.
Application
Please submit cover letter, CV, references, and application by June 1, 2025 at https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Columbus-Campus/Acquisitions-Librarian_R128474.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disability. Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check.

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