Head of Collection Strategy & Stewardship

Penn State University; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition discount

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Penn State University Libraries seeks a Head of Collection Strategies to provide strategic direction for the Libraries’ collections. The role emphasizes alignment of collection development, acquisitions, interlibrary loan, and stewardship with institutional priorities and budget realities.

The position requires regular onsite presence at University Park and offers leadership of the Collection Strategies Department, collaboration with university partners, and active professional engagement.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library and information science (ALA-accredited) or equivalent.
• Five+ years of professional experience in academic or research library collections or related areas.
• Knowledge of collection development principles and trends in academic libraries.
• Experience in consortia or networked library environments.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and communicate data to support strategic planning.
• Knowledge of open access models and scholarly publishing trends.
• Demonstrated leadership, including supervision and cross‑department initiatives.
• Strong written and oral communication.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for collection development and stewardship of the Libraries’ research and teaching collections.
• Lead the Collection Strategies Department and mentor faculty and staff.
• Shape budgets and investment priorities with data-driven analyses.
• Lead vendor and publisher negotiations and transformative licensing efforts.
• Advance collective initiatives through shared projects and external partnerships.
• Maintain professional engagement and contribute to scholarly activity.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven decisions

Communication

Strategic planning

Collaboration

Professional engagement

Analytical thinking

Research

Education

Master’s degree in library and information science (ALA-accredited)

Job description

Penn State University Libraries seeks a Head of Collection Strategies to provide strategic direction for the Libraries’ collections. The role emphasizes alignment of collection development, acquisitions, interlibrary loan, and stewardship with institutional priorities and budget realities.

The position requires regular onsite presence at University Park and offers leadership of the Collection Strategies Department, collaboration with university partners, and active professional engagement.