Acquisitions Specialist

Illinois State University; Normal, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 62,130,000 - 63,990,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement options

Tuition waiver

Paid holidays

Paid leave

Job summary

Illinois State University in Normal, IL is seeking an Acquisitions Specialist to manage the acquisition of monographic library resources in all formats and languages and to maintain purchase order records for serial publications in the library system.

The role includes verifying information to accurately order resources, selecting the best source for purchase, and recording transactions in the integrated library system. It also serves as a backup for other Acquisitions staff.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two (2) years of work experience in a library or equivalent setting.
• Two (2) years full or part-time work experience in a library or equivalent setting performing progressively more responsible work.

Responsibilities

• Acquires monographic library resources in all formats and languages.
• Receives, processes, and maintains purchase order records for serial publications in the library system.
• Verifies order information to ensure accuracy and avoid duplicates; records purchase information in the ILS.
• Serves as backup for other Acquisitions staff and supports clerical and organizational tasks.

Job description

Title: Acquisitions Specialist
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Milner Library

Job Summary

This position is responsible for the acquisition of monographic library resources in all formats and languages and is responsible for receiving, processing, maintaining and updating the purchase order records for serial publications in all formats in the online library system. This work includes verifying information needed to accurately order requested resources, selecting and placing orders with the most appropriate source for purchase, and recording purchase information through creation of the purchase order, in the integrated library system.
This position is also responsible for verifying order selections to avoid errors and detect duplications.
Additional duties include strong interpersonal, computer, clerical, and organizational skills. This position also serves as a backup for other Acquisitions staff members.

Additional Information

• Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
• Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
• Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
• Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
• Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$21.68 - $22.33 per hour

Required Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following categories:
3. a. full or part-time equivalent work experience in a library or equivalent setting.
4. b. college course work in any field as measured by the following conversion table:
5. - 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
6. - Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
7. - 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
8. - Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
9. 3. A total of two (2) years (24 months) full or part-time equivalent work experience in a library or equivalent setting performing progressively more responsible work consistent with the next lower level of this series.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Knowledge of accounts payable or purchasing practices and/or familiarity with the publishing industry.
2. Ability to work independently, utilizing individual initiative and judgment.
3. Aptitude for accuracy and detail.
4. Detailed knowledge of library acquisitions methods.
5. Ability to communicate effectively in writing, in person, and over the telephone.
6. Familiarity with the current version of the MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging) formats for bibliographic records and holdings records.
7. Familiarity with the current version of the library's integrated library system (ILS), Alma.
8. Knowledge of computer systems and software packages used in Milner, as well as their related peripherals.
9. Aptitude for accuracy and detail.

Work Hours

Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm or 8:30am to 5pm depending on operational needs.

Functional Expectations

1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods.
2. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.

Proposed Starting Date

November 2026

Contact Information for Applicants

Mackenzie Chapman
Human Resources
309-438-3092
[e-mail]

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at [phone]. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at [phone].