WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Assistant/Associate Professor and Acquisitions Librarian

Wichita State University Libraries invites applicants for its Acquisitions Librarian, a 12 month, tenure-track position at the assistant/associate professor level that includes primary responsibility for the operations of the Acquisitions Unit and the management of the WSU Libraries' 2.7 million dollar materials budget. The Acquisitions Librarian manages a five person unit and reports to the Assistant Dean for Technical Services.  The position oversees the ordering and receipt of all print and electronic library materials; monitors expenditures; supports budget planning through data gathering and analysis; designs and prepares expenditure reports; maintains accurate acquisitions records; oversees invoice payments; establishes and maintains relationships with publishers and vendors; and collaborates daily with Library Administration, the Assistant Dean of Technical Services, the Coordinator of Collection Development, the Electronic Resources Librarian, and subject librarians regarding budgetary aspects of collection development.  The Acquisitions Librarian acts as liaison for business matters to other university personnel; acts as a resource regarding acquisitions policies and procedures for library staff; and performs selected serials control functions.  The ideal Acquisitions Librarian will be self-motivated; possess superior communication and interpersonal skills; and will demonstrate sound budget management experience and time management skills.  .

A complete position description is found at: AcquisitionsPositionDescription.htm

Required qualifications: ALA accredited master’s degree; eligible to work in the United States on a multi-year basis; minimum of one year recent acquisitions experience in a mid-to large size academic library using an automated acquisitions system; excellent oral and written communication skills; demonstrated budget management experience; knowledge of current issues in acquisitions and serials; ability to work well under pressure, meet deadlines, and handle multiple priorities/projects; ability to work successfully in a dynamic collegial environment with diverse populations; and demonstrated potential for meeting the Libraries’ tenure and promotion requirements.

Preferred qualifications: Experience with financial management of an acquisitions budget and with an automated acquisitions system;  experience with vendor negotiations and licensing agreements; experience with electronic invoicing and EDI applications; previous personnel management experience; proficiency with Excel and Access; additional graduate degree.     

Salary and Benefits: Salary commensurate with experience and education; 12 month contract; professional development support, vacation and benefits including TIAA-CREF.  Librarians are tenure-track appointees.

Environment: Wichita State University, with an enrollment of over 14,000, is one of three research institutions in the Kansas state university system. The University Libraries supports the teaching and research needs of students and faculty in more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. The University is located in the largest metropolitan area of Kansas, serving a diverse population of over 500,000.

Wichita is a 3-time All-American City award-winner.  It offers its residents an excellent quality of life: with premier entertainment and shopping districts, and golf clubs, easy commuting, affordable housing, and 250 days of sunshine a year.  Forbes Magazine named Wichita as the "number one place in the Midwest to live the good life cheaply." Recently, American City Business Journals named Wichita second in their list of "10 most affordable places to live in the nation." Visit Wichita State University website at http://wichita.edu, Libraries homepage at http://library.wichita.edu and Wichita website at: http://www.wichita.gov/  for a closer look at the University, Libraries, and the city.

Application Deadline: Priority review of applications will begin April 21, 2008, and continue until the position is filled.    Send letter of application, resume, and the names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references to: Pal V. Rao, Dean and Professor of University Libraries, Wichita State University Libraries, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260-0068 or submit electronically to library.search@wichita.edu with a subject line of Acquisitions Librarian Search.  AA/EOE.