Job Openings
Date Prepared: June 2006
Division: Technical Services
Department: Acquisitions Production Group
Position: Continuing and Electronic Resources Coordinator
Position Rank: Exempt Staff (Permanent)
Reports to: Acquisitions Production Group Leader
Nature of Work:
Within a team environment, responsible for planning, implementation, and administration of all aspects of ordering, receiving, claiming, reconciling financial statements and preparation for payment of continuing publications in either print or electronic format. Coordinates and facilitates inter- and intra- production team activities, facilitates team communications, fosters an environment of shared responsibility, and develops and promotes team plans and vision. As Continuing Resources Team leader, works directly with team members to plan, develop and implement ongoing activities and special projects; establish team goals and objectives. Provides leadership through active participation on teams and committees at the production group, division, Library and University level, and within the profession.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Responsible for the administration of the Continuing Resources Production Team. Serves on the Acquisitions Production Group Leadership team. Reports to the Acquisitions Production Group Leader. The University of Maryland Libraries promotes a team based, collaborative, continuous learning environment. Works with other Acquisitions Production Team Leaders, Cataloging units, Collection Management, and Information Technology to resolve questions or problems related to acquisition, funding, access, or cataloging of electronic resources and to facilitate all aspects of the acquisitions process for all formats of library materials.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Develops and implements (in consultation with the Acquisitions Production Group Leader) policies, standards, goals and procedures to improve workflow. Assesses production team resources and needs; recommends strategies and adjustments.
- Coordinates and monitors all operations required to order, receive, document and clear for payment all continuing resources in all formats. This may include: bibliographic searching, order preparation, mail operations, material check-in, claiming, payment authorizations, statement resolution, subscription renewals, cancellation, serial adds copy cataloging. Manages life cycle processes for electronic resources including tracking vendor, publisher, and registration information, verifying consortia membership and package titles, and working with vendors/publishers to ensure access to electronic resource orders. Resolves complex problems involving the above tasks.
- Supervises and performs all required personnel activities such as preparing/updating job descriptions, interviewing and selecting staff (including graduate assistants), performance review and development, merit assessments, discipline, etc. Determines performance deficiencies and designs interventions. Evaluates training needs and assists staff and graduate assistants in acquiring the skills, knowledge and competencies needed to improve job performance. Trains staff and graduate assistants in complex computer operations including the use of the Libraries’ Integrated Library System, Aleph, and vendor databases. Trains staff and graduate assistants in various aspects of duties. Trains library staff and graduate assistants in the use of the serials and acquisitions modules of Aleph. Contributes to and interprets instructions and procedure manuals.
- Works with team members to identify, analyze and resolve problems resulting from online access interruption, subscription lapses, vendor errors, defective, damaged or unwanted material, etc. Creates temporary records and takes appropriate action to move data between modules as necessary.
- Establishes, maintains and resolves problems in business relationships with vendors and publishers. Keeps abreast of acquisition and cataloging trends in electronic resources, participates in national list serves, organizations and conferences; evaluates the potential use of new services and technologies. Participates fully in “Requests for Proposals” and contract discussions as needed.
DIMENSIONS
Number of persons supervised: Direct: 6.5 Indirect: 0
LEADERSHIP:
Supervisor: participates in the selection process of new employees; assists with performance appraisals; disciplinary problems are referred to a higher level. Performs similar and higher level tasks.
COMPLEXITY OF WORK:
Very complex: Involves complicated bodies of knowledge/functions that differ substantially from each other.
AUTONOMY/FREEDOM OF ACTION:
Plans, develops and implements functions/projects for functional unit(s) or team(s)
INTERACTIONS
Primary interactions include all level of staff within the Production Group and Technical
Services Division. Outside of the division, primary interactions include the Collection Management Team, subject selectors from Public Services, and staff from various periodical rooms, Information Technology Division units, and library and university faculty. Outside interactions include print and electronic materials vendors, publishers and suppliers.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Monitors an over six million dollar serial budget.
PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Normal office environment.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required: B.A. or B.S. degree. Minimum of 3 years serials/acquisitions experience, preference given to those with academic library experience. At least one year of demonstrated management, supervisory, and leadership skills. Experience with automated acquisitions systems and integrated library systems. Knowledge of technical services; knowledge of acquisitions and serial practices and procedures; knowledge of basic bibliographic principles for serials; knowledge of serial/electronic resources issues and emerging trends; knowledge of publishing trends, book and subscription trade. Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to communicate clearly, knowledgeably, and personably, both orally and in writing within a diverse campus environment. Evidence of ability to interact collaboratively and work effectively with teams. Evidence of independent analytical problem solving skills. Evidence of strong service orientation; an ability to anticipate customer needs and seek ways of providing satisfactory solutions. Must have the ability to manage a broad variety of tasks in response to varying time pressures with shifting priorities and changing constraints.
Desired: Five years or more of relevant, progressively responsible experience in managing serials/electronic resources, at least two of which were spent within an academic library setting. Two or more years of demonstrated management, supervisory, and leadership skills. Demonstrated competencies in managing or troubleshooting electronic resources. Experience with Ex-Libris’ Aleph integrated library system. Experience with developing, implementing, or using electronic resource modules/services. Demonstrated ability to create and manage organizational change; to maintain a systematic perspective; to involve and influence others to accept new ideas or innovative approaches; to lead staff in a team-based organization.
In all work, meets the Libraries’ organizational citizenship expectations (OCEs), which include focus on the customer, commitment to quality, understanding of and commitment to diversity. The full statement of expectations is at http://www.lib.umd.edu/groups/learning/citizenship.html
