Electronic Resource Acquisitions Librarian

Code4lib; Worcester, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Code4lib in Worcester, MA seeks an Electronic Resource Acquisitions Librarian to manage the library's electronic resources lifecycle, including purchasing, activation, access management, and troubleshooting. This role partners with the Collections Unit to ensure reliable access and timely invoicing while supporting budget planning.

The ideal candidate has an ALA-accredited MLS and at least two years of experience with electronic resources, metadata standards, and licensing.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited program.
• Experience in electronic resources lifecycle management.
• Knowledge of metadata standards (MARC21, Dublin Core, RDA).
• Familiarity with licensing, access management, and renewals.
• Proven organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage acquisition, access, and maintenance of electronic resources.
• Coordinate annual serials renewals and vendor communications.
• Analyze journal usage data to inform collections decisions.
• Assist with monograph purchases and respond to requests.
• Maintain knowledge bases, authentication systems, and discovery services.
• Troubleshoot access issues and coordinate with vendors for resolution.
• Maintain accurate holdings, entitlements, and coverage data.
• Collaborate on acquisitions initiatives and vendor evaluations.
• Coordinate reserve material ordering for teaching needs.
• Supervise student workers in acquisitions-related tasks.
• Prepare reports supporting budget management and assessment.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Attention to detail

Professional development

Education

Master's degree in library science (ALA-accredited)

Tools

OCLC WorldShare Management Services (WMS)

GOBI

OCLC Connexion

MARC21

Dublin Core

RDA

KBART

COUNTER

SUSHI

EZproxy

Job description

Electronic Resource Acquisitions Librarian

Reporting to the Head of Collections and Systems, the Electronic Acquisitions Librarian is responsible for managing the acquisition, access, and ongoing maintenance of the library's electronic resources and related systems. This position oversees workflows associated with the electronic resource lifecycle, including purchasing, activation, access management, troubleshooting, and assessment. The Electronic Acquisitions Librarian collaborates closely with colleagues across the Collections Unit and throughout the library to ensure efficient acquisitions processes, timely invoice payment, reliable access to electronic collections, and effective stewardship of electronic resources.

Major Responsibilities:

• Coordinates and manages the acquisition of electronic resources.
• Manages annual serials renewals through EBSCONET and works directly with vendors to ensure continuity of access and service.
• Assists with annual reviews of journal usage data to assess collection effectiveness and alignment with community needs.
• Assists with monograph purchase and provides timely communication to requestors regarding purchasing decisions.
• Collaborates with the Head of Collections and Systems to maintain and update knowledge bases, authentication systems (EZproxy), and discovery services as needed.
• Troubleshoots access issues related to electronic resources by identifying root causes, coordinating with vendors to resolve problems, and communicating status updates to users.
• Ensures that electronic resource holdings, entitlements, and coverage data are accurately maintained across library systems to facilitate reliable and seamless access.
• Collaborates with the Collections Team and other library staff on acquisitions initiatives, collection policies, vendor evaluations, and database selection.
• Coordinates reserve material ordering in support of teaching and learning needs.
• Supervises student employee(s) assigned to acquisitions and collections-related work.
• Coordinates the purchase of faculty-authored monographs for both Goddard Library and Special Collections.
• Maintains accurate acquisitions records and prepares reports to support collection assessment and budget management.

Requirements:

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited program.
• Minimum of two years of experience in the acquisition, management, and maintenance of electronic resources.
• Knowledge of the electronic resource lifecycle, including acquisition, licensing, access management, and ongoing maintenance.
• Familiarity with library metadata standards and practices, including MARC21, Dublin Core, and RDA.
• Knowledge of accounting principles related to library acquisitions, including fund accounting.
• Familiarity with current electronic resource standards, best practices, and protocols, including KBART, COUNTER, and SUSHI.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Commitment to maintaining current knowledge of developments in acquisitions, electronic resource management, scholarly communications, and publishing trends.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous supervisory experience and experience working in an academic library environment, preferably in technical services.
• Experience collecting, managing, analyzing, and reporting acquisitions and collection data to support assessment and decision-making.
• Proficiency with an integrated library system, particularly acquisitions and electronic resource management modules; experience with OCLC WorldShare Management Services (WMS) strongly preferred or similar cloud-based ILS.
• Experience using bibliographic utilities and cataloging tools, such as OCLC Connexion.
• Experience selecting, ordering, and managing library materials using online acquisitions platforms such as GOBI.
• Demonstrated technical aptitude and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.