Head of Collection Strategies & Open Access Leadership

Pennsylvania Library Association; Susan (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Benefits package

Job summary

Penn State University Libraries seeks a visionary Head of Collection Strategies to guide the development, assessment, and long-range direction of the Libraries’ research and teaching collections at University Park. The role reports to the Associate Dean for Collections and Commonwealth Campus Libraries and focuses on aligning acquisitions, interlibrary loan, and stewardship with institutional priorities.

This tenure-line faculty appointment requires regular onsite presence on campus and offers

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited program or equivalent.
• Five or more years of professional experience in academic or research library collections.
• Knowledge of collection development principles and trends in libraries.
• Experience working in a consortia or networked library environment.
• Experience using data and assessment methods to inform collection decisions.
• Knowledge of open access models and scholarly publishing trends.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and strong communication skills.
• Active professional engagement and a record of scholarly activity.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for collection development across PSUL.
• Co-lead the Collections Council and set priorities for equitable access and diverse collecting.
• Shape budget strategy and investment priorities for collections.
• Lead vendor and publisher negotiations and assess collections investments.
• Represent PSUL to professional groups and lead shared collection projects.
• Maintain scholarly engagement and contribute to research and service.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Data analysis

Communication

Collaborative work

Education

Master’s degree in library and information science

Experience in academic or research library settings

Tools

Consortia experience

Data-driven decision making

Job description

Penn State University Libraries seeks a visionary Head of Collection Strategies to guide the development, assessment, and long-range direction of the Libraries’ research and teaching collections at University Park. The role reports to the Associate Dean for Collections and Commonwealth Campus Libraries and focuses on aligning acquisitions, interlibrary loan, and stewardship with institutional priorities.

This tenure-line faculty appointment requires regular onsite presence on campus and offers