JOB POSTING: 

ACQUISITIONS AND SERIALS LIBRARIAN

Looking for an opportunity that provides a broad library experience at a specialized academic library, working closely with students and faculty?

 

DESCRIPTION

Bard Graduate Center (BGC) invites applications for an innovative and collaborative Acquisitions and Serials Librarian to join our small, dynamic team exploring creative ways to collect, preserve and activate our research collections. This is a full-time (35 hour/week), on-site position at our campus on West 86th Street in New York City.

Reporting to the Director of Research Collections, the Acquisitions and Serials Librarian is responsible for managing all workflows related to collection development and serials maintenance including managing orders, renewals, invoicing, and gift accession. This will require establishing effective business relationships with current and prospective publishers, subscription agents, electronic resources vendors, and consortia, while also working closely with our finance department on tracking expenditures. Because we are a small library, this position also contributes to reference and research support through working on our reference desk and participating in library instruction activities. 

This work is firmly grounded in the Library’s commitment to expanding diversity, equity, access, and inclusion in all aspects of our research collections and we seek a flexible and creative thinker who is eager to contribute to a reimagining of the library. The ideal candidate will be able to work collaboratively, to develop their own ideas, and to grow professionally within this position. 

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Acquisitions

• Manages orders, renewals, returns, statistical reporting, invoicing for library materials, ensuring efficient and effective workflows for the acquisition of a diverse range of materials.
• Processes incoming gifts to the collection and works closely with the Development department to coordinate acknowledgements.
• Handles the finances and billing for the Department of Research Collections (DRC), preparing check requests and reconciling monthly expenditures.
• In consultation with appropriate staff, reviews and maintains current approval plans.
• Manages the preparation of orders, correspondence, reports, and maintenance of office files.
• Collaborates closely with the Technical Services Librarian on analyzing our collection and suggesting responsive acquisitions strategies in line with our DEAI goals.
• Manages the rotating display of our speaker series books as well as creating monthly displays for new acquisitions.

Serials

• Oversees the library’s periodical collection, coordinating renewals, check-in, claims and binding.
• Participates in data gathering and analysis of pricing, usage, and other metrics to support renewal decisions.
• Creates, activates and maintains serials records.
• Receives, claims and maintains print serials collection and records.
• Manages the serials renewal process.
• Resolves e-journal access problems and tracks electronic resources expenses.
• Will work closely with library staff on space planning, shifting and weeding the collection.

Other

• Participates in reference desk duties and handles occasional research appointments.
• Contributes to the DRC’s Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion working group and actively engages in efforts to make the library a welcoming environment.
• Takes part in preparing and maintaining reserve materials for classes each semester.
• Monitors our small circulation system, checking out books to faculty and gallery staff.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• An ALA-accredited Master’s in Library and Information Science (MLIS) or Master’s in Library Studies (MLS) degree.
• Experience working in an academic or museum library.
• Experience with Sierra or other similar integrated library system.
• Demonstrated knowledge of print and electronic resources in material culture and design history.
• Facility with Excel Spreadsheets and other office software.
• Experience initiating and maintaining relationships with vendors and subscriptions agents.
• Demonstrated ability to work collegially and collaboratively with diverse faculty, students, and gallery staff.
• Commitment to advancing BGC’s stated goals for diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Copy cataloging experience. 
• Experience or interest in developing LibGuides based on student and curricular needs.
• Experience or interest in bibliographic instruction.
• Background in art history and or material culture studies.
• Working knowledge of at least one foreign language.

We expect the successful candidate to be stronger in some qualifications listed above than others; we are committed to helping our future colleague expand their skills, and hope to learn from their areas of strength.

SALARY & BENEFITS:

The salary range for this position is $56,000 - $58,000 + a generous benefits package.

 

ABOUT BGC:

The Bard Graduate Center is a graduate research institute in New York City dedicated to the study of the cultural history of the material world and committed to the encyclopedic study of things, drawing on methodologies and approaches from art and design history, history of technology, philosophy, anthropology, and archaeology and cultural history. Our students gravitate to careers in museums, academia, the art world, and publishing.  Our MA and PhD degree programs, Gallery exhibitions, research initiatives, and public programs explore new ways of thinking about decorative arts, design history, and material culture.

 

TO APPLY:

Send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to  LATA@bgc.bard.edu

Review of applications will begin on May 16th and continue until the position is filled.

Bard College requires all employees to be fully vaccinated and follow the guidelines and protocols established to address campus safety regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bard College is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information.

Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

 

Apply online here

Submit specified application materials to LATA@bgc.bard.edu.