"Collections Strategies Librarian"

Description

The Collections Strategies Librarian is a faculty librarian position with teaching responsibilities and is a member of the Collections Management (CM) team. Working closely with research and reference librarians, the Collections Strategies Librarian works directly with assigned departments in creating and providing information, information literacy instruction and research support for the Colby College library. They will use their teaching-informed expertise and knowledge to assess and evaluate collections across the libraries (and develop tools and mechanisms to do that work in collaboration with the AD). The librarian will also collaborate with library colleagues to market and create an awareness for existing collections (and memberships) across campus - in the context of teaching and learning. This position will also participate in key conversations and initiatives related to textbook access, open education, and open access, led by the Scholarly Communications Librarian.

Overview and Primary Objectives

Colby College Libraries seek a collaborative and thoughtful professional for the position of Collections Strategies Librarian, who will utilize their teaching-informed expertise and knowledge to offer dynamic information literacy instruction and reference services for undergraduate students as well as faculty and staff in assigned disciplines, promote engagement with our existing collections (including memberships), create, in collaboration with the Scholarly Communications Librarian, venues and events for the broader conversation about Open Access at Colby, and imagine and implement thoughtful assessment and evaluation tools for the library collections.

The department comprises seven positions: Acquisitions Coordinator, Serials and Electronic Resources Coordinator, Electronic Resources Librarian, Academic Liaison & Collections Librarian, Performing Arts + Media Librarian, and the Associate Director and Head of Collections Management (who supervises the department).

Collections Management is a deeply collaborative, supportive, and responsive team. Our work is often time-sensitive, cross-functional and high-impact. We maintain frequent communication with each other throughout the day, in order to successfully complete projects.

With the help of the Collections Strategies Librarian, we continue to build on the work begun over the years--making the collections more visible, creating opportunities to develop: a teaching-informed perspective to the Collections Management work, to help us see the full picture of how to leverage our abilities to address problems in communication (access issues, reserves ordering, etc.); an understanding of the variety of methods for gathering, analyzing, and presenting data related to collections management including, but not limited to the following systems and software: Gathering: understanding of an ILS/LMS system, ILLiad, Publisher Platforms; Analyzing: competency in Excel and/or Access; Presenting: willingness to use data visualization software; enough familiarity with MARC-field metadata to understand Indexing/searching, Effects of subject headings in ILS systems, Basic discussions about effects of key field changes/updates; and maintain respect for the communal nature of collections (we are part of the Maine library system, and have one of the largest collections budgets in the state, specifically) and our libraries’ commitment to reflecting diversity within the libraries’ collections (we have not done this well, but are trying to improve).

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Collections Management, and in collaboration with other colleagues in the Libraries and across Colby College, the Collections Librarian is responsible for activities in the following areas:

Instruction or Teaching and Learning 60%

• Seeks active collaboration with faculty to be embedded within or otherwise support and enhance the assigned departments’ courses
• Actively works with faculty to coordinate curriculum and collections, to the extent possible
• Interacts with students, faculty, and staff to create a welcoming atmosphere both in the library and around online projects.
• Promotes the use of best practices in rights management, in close collaboration with the Scholarly Communications Librarian.
• Creates learning objects in a variety of modalities for related departments and keeps learning objects updated as required
• Maintains an active and rigorous consultation services for students, staff, and faculty in related departments.

Collection Development 20%

• Ability to co-develop metrics that will help the library assess collections
• Ability to co-create “modules” for use by others in the libraries to generate data for assessments.
• Ability to co-communicate effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders about complex issues using data and crafting compelling arguments

Service and Scholarship. 20%

• Contributes to the profession’s collective knowledge by engaging in scholarly research activity. Research may involve the publication of articles, books, book reviews, grant-supported inquiry, or editorial work
• Serves on committees in at least two of the following categories: Colby Faculty Committees (as available & desired), CBB (Collection Development Committee), Maine (ACRL NE, etc.), National (ALA, ACRL, etc.)

Physical Demands

Must be able to tolerate occasional hot or cold conditions and be able to reach, stoop, bend, lift, and move objects. Must thrive in a fast-paced and highly intellectual environment.

Qualifications

Required

• A degree from an ALA-accredited Master’s program in Library/Information Sciences.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
• Three years of post-MLS experience teaching information literacy or library instruction.
• Demonstrated experience, knowledge, and/or scholarship in inclusive excellence and equity minded access.

Preferred

• Fluency in one or more non-English languages
• Deep understanding and appreciation of the Humanities disciplines
• Experience working with students & faculty in a college environment
• Demonstrated interest in Collections Management + Assessment, Open Access/Open Educational Resources, Textbook access issues in undergraduate settings
• Proficiency with new technology in an educational or library setting
• Demonstrated professional engagement

Key Relationships

The Collections Librarian engages regularly and closely with all colleagues and programs in the Colby Libraries. In addition, the Collections Librarian creates and strengthens relationships with administrators and staff across campus, alumni, downtown partners, and professional peers throughout Maine and beyond. The CBB consortium has a long history of collaboration, particularly regarding collections. To date, there are numerous facets of shared collection building, everything from traditional academic monographs to scores and electronic databases. An important part of this work is accomplished via monthly meetings (held remotely) with designated representatives from each campus.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit a letter of application that describes their interest in, and qualifications for, this position. Applicants must also submit a current curriculum vitae, and the names of three references (these will not be contacted without prior notice to the candidate). All materials should be submitted as PDFs to: https://apply.interfolio.com/172857. Application review will begin October 12th, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries about this position can be directed to the hiring committee chair, Ana Noriega (ana.noriega@colby.edu).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Colby is a private, coeducational liberal arts college that admits students and makes personnel decisions on the basis of the individual’s qualifications to contribute to Colby’s educational objectives and institutional needs. The principle of not discriminating on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, caste, national or ethnic origin, marital status, genetic information, political beliefs, veteran or military status, parental status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, physical or mental disability unrelated to the job or course of study requirements is consistent with the mission of a liberal arts college and the law.