Head, Collection Strategies

Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition discount

Paid time off

Retirement plans

Benefits package

Job summary

Penn State University Libraries is seeking a Head of Collection Strategies to provide strategic direction for the development, stewardship, and long‑term direction of the Libraries' research and teaching collections.

The role focuses on aligning collection development with institutional values, budget realities, and user needs, while collaborating across university partners and external stakeholders. Regular on‑site presence at University Park is required.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of professional experience in academic or research library collections, acquisitions, or a closely related area.
• Knowledge of collection development principles and trends in academic libraries; print and electronic resources.
• Experience using data and assessment methods to inform collection decisions; communicate findings for strategic planning.
• Experience in consortia or networked library environments.
• Knowledge of open access models and scholarly publishing developments, including transformative Read & Publish agreements.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, supervision, mentoring, or project management.
• Strong analytical, written, and oral communication skills with cross‑department collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for collection development and build sustainable collection strategies.
• Lead and mentor the Collection Strategies Department staff and faculty.
• Shape collection budget strategy, analyze usage trends, and guide equitable fund allocation.
• Lead vendor and publisher negotiations and assess transformative licensing frameworks.
• Represent PSUL in national groups (e.g., BTAA) for shared collection projects.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Oral communication

Leadership

Collaboration

Education

Master's in library and information science

Job description

Head, Collection Strategies

Penn State University Libraries (PSUL) seeks applications for Head, Collection Strategies. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Collections and Commonwealth Campus Libraries, this tenure-line position provides strategic guidance for the development, stewardship, assessment, and long-term direction of the Libraries's research and teaching collections. The Head will focus on collaborating with library colleagues across the University Libraries, institutional partners and constituents across the University, and external partners to develop and implement a unified collections strategy that aligns collection development, acquisitions, interlibrary loan, and intentional, forward-looking stewardship with institutional values, budget realities, and user needs.

This is a faculty appointment and an academic administrator. This position requires regular onsite presence at the University Park campus.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for collection development: Articulate and implement vision and strategies for sustainable collection building; co‑lead the Libraries' Collections Council in developing collection strategies, policies, and practices that prioritize equitable access, diverse and inclusive collecting, and responsiveness to emerging research, curricular, and University priorities.
• Lead the Collection Strategies Department: Supervise and mentor faculty and staff within the Collection Strategies Department (Collection Analysis, Collection Maintenance, and Annex units).
• Shape collections budget strategy and investment priorities: In collaboration with the Head of Acquisitions and Resource Sharing, synthesize data, usage trends, and community input to develop the Libraries' collections budget strategy, advise on equitable fund allocation, and provide timely expenditure projections to Libraries' Administration.
• Lead strategic vendor and publisher negotiations: Develop and maintain relationships with key vendors and publishers in support of major contract negotiations and transformative agreement frameworks. Design and oversee a framework for ongoing assessment of collections investments, including transformative licensing efforts.
• Advance collection initiatives: Serve as PSUL representative to membership organizations (e.g., BTAA) for group purchasing and collection development decision‑making; provide leadership on shared collection projects.
• Maintain scholarly and professional engagement: Participate in relevant professional committees, leadership roles in professional organizations, and scholarly activity and research.

Hiring Criteria

• Candidates for the rank of Assistant Librarian should possess a graduate degree in library or information studies or other appropriate degree; must have demonstrated ability as a librarian; and must have shown growth in research and service.
• Candidate for the rank of Associate Librarian should possess the same qualifications as the Assistant Librarian, demonstrate excellence in librarianship, show evidence of an established reputation in research, and have a strong record of service to the University and the profession.
• Candidates for the rank of Librarian should possess the same qualifications as the Associate Librarian; demonstrate sustained excellence in librarianship; have achieved a distinguished reputation in research, scholarship, or librarianship accomplishment; and maintain a substantial record of service and leadership to the University, the profession, and/or the broader community.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in library and information science from an ALA‑accredited program, or an equivalent combination of advanced degree and relevant professional experience.
• Five or more years of professional experience in academic or research library collections, acquisitions, or a closely related area.
• Demonstrated knowledge of collection development principles, practices, and emerging trends in academic and research libraries, including print and electronic resources in all formats.
• Experience working in a consortia or networked library environment.
• Experience using data and assessment methods to inform collection decisions, including the ability to collect, analyze, and communicate findings to support strategic planning.
• Knowledge of open access models, scholarly communication trends, and the evolving scholarly publishing landscape, including transformative and Read & Publish agreements.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, such as supervision, mentoring, chairing cross‑departmental committees, teams, and initiatives, and/or project management.
• Strong analytical, written, and oral communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate across departments and with external partners.
• Evidence of active professional engagement, and a record of research, publication, or other scholarly activity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with budget management and financial planning for library collections, including expenditure tracking, projection, and reporting.
• Knowledge of copyright, fair use, and rights management as applied to library resources and licensing.
• Experience with deselection, space planning, or physical collection management projects, including shared print or collaborative retention programs.
• Awareness of emerging technologies and their responsible application in collections work, including AI‑assisted tools for collection assessment or resource discovery.

About the Collection Strategies Department

The Collection Strategies Department is a new department resulting from realignment planning at the Penn State University Libraries. This new position will provide strategic direction for collection development at the PSUL and manage ongoing analysis and maintenance of the PSUL's print collections and electronic holdings. Three units: Collection Analysis, Collection Maintenance, and the Annex, report to this position. This person will work closely with the Head of Acquisitions and Resource Sharing, who also reports to the Associate Dean for Collections and Commonwealth Campus Libraries. The University Libraries 2025-2030 Strategic Plan has prioritized advancing open scholarship and transforming library collections as part of its goal of Empowering Researchers.

About Penn State's Collections

The Penn State University Libraries holds over 10 million titles, of which, approximately 3.6 million are electronic books. We have collections at all our locations across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (800,000 at Commonwealth Campus Libraries, with the remaining collections on the University Park campus in State College). The Annex, located in State College, consists of three off‑site facilities that hold 5.6 million items, including more than 1.3 million print, 4.1 million microforms, 92,000 maps, and 17,000 audiovisual materials.

We are in the Top 20 Association of Research Libraries for collection size and expenditures. Penn State University Libraries participate in multiple consortia, including BTAA, PALCI, CRL, and HathiTrust. Penn State is one of four State Library Resource Centers (SLRC) included in the Pennsylvania Code to receive annual funding to provide resources for all citizens of Pennsylvania. In 2026-2027 Penn State will be migrating its ILS to Alma.

For more information about Penn State's budget and collections, please see Library Statistics and Data.

Application Process

All candidate materials must be submitted via Workday. Applicants should also upload a cover letter and resume or CV and a list of four references. Furnished references must include a current/previous direct supervisor, a colleague, an employee who was/is a direct report, and one at the candidate's discretion. Candidates must clearly identify the relationship for each reference provided. References will be contacted later in the search process.

Application materials should demonstrate the candidate's professional qualifications, including a record of significant accomplishments and excellence in librarianship, teaching, research, and/or service, as well as evidence of sustained professional engagement and contributions to the profession.

Application materials should reflect a commitment to equal opportunity and respect for all individuals. Candidates are encouraged to highlight how their work promotes inclusive access to information and supports the academic mission of the institution.

Individual compensation packages are based on various factors unique to each candidate, including a candidate's qualifications, education, experience, and rank. In addition to a competitive salary, full-time employees also receive a comprehensive benefits program, generous paid time off, and tuition discount for employees and eligible family members. Total Compensation Calculator provides an estimated summary of the value of compensation and benefits.

Information about the University Libraries' employment opportunities, processes, and culture can be found at https://libraries.psu.edu/about/jobs

Background Checks/Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Due to the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of this position, successful completion of a credit history check will be required in addition to standard background checks. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

Benefits

• In addition to a competitive salary, full-time employees also receive a comprehensive benefits program, generous paid time off, and tuition discount for employees and eligible family members.
• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.