Collections Strategy Librarian - The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Date postedFebruary 28, 2023
Location: Houston, TX
Salary: $45,000-52,000/year
Employment Term: Full-time
Employer Contact: HR@mfah.org
Collections Strategy Librarian
The Collections Strategy Librarian focuses on the management of the library’s collection with regards to access, inventory control, workflows and collection movement.
Responsibilities
Collection Management: Oversees ongoing stacks and collection management activities
- Manages all offsite access and collection maintenance
- Collaborates closely with library staff to develop efficient workflows among acquisitions, cataloging and user access
- Retrieves and replaces materials from offsite locations
- Participates in space planning and management, including space analytics and move coordination
- Plans, implements and manages all collection inventory processes
- Collects, compiles and distributes collection statistics and reports
- Works closely with staff to purchase appropriate resources in all formats and to evaluate relevance of materials in existing collections
Acquisitions: Provides oversight of the library acquisitions processes for all library materials, including books, serials and special collections
- Supervises the Library Assistant, Acquisitions
- Supervises daily activities including ordering, receiving, claiming and invoicing
- Enters purchase orders into the Museum’s accounting system
- Enters orders into the Libraries’ automated system
- Works directly with publishers and vendors to establish accounts and negotiate purchasing agreements; preserves contracts in library’s automated system
- Serves as backup in the absence of the Library Assistant, Acquisitions
Serials: Manages serials collections, auction catalogs and special projects
- Performs professional cataloging and bibliographic control duties, including classification and description of serials adhering to local and professional cataloging standards
- Receives and checks in periodicals, auction catalogs and commercial gallery catalogs
- Responsible for purchasing, invoicing and claiming all serials
- Manages automated serials management system
- Handles all commercial bindery needs, including determination of need, preparation and communication with vendor, as well as updating of circulation records
- Determines best practices for housing, preserving, and shelving special collections periodicals
- Maintains records for electronic serials;manages library EZProxy server for offsite access to serials and databases
Other Responsibilities:
- Manages ongoing projects as necessary
- Participates in public services rotation
- Participates in libraries and archives committee activities
- Maintains knowledge of and engages in continuous professional development to keep up with current and developing standards and practices
- Works collaboratively with the library’s management team to develop strategic concepts, practices, techniques and innovations to continually improve the quality of the library’s services and collections
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- Excellent analytical, interpersonal, time management, organizational and problem-solving skills
- Knowledge of planning, designing, and implementing innovative practices or tools to improve collection management
- Understanding of the construction of bibliographic and authority records
- Familiarity with the Library of Congress classification schedules, subject headings and name headings
- Proficiency with an ILS system and analytics; familiarity with OCLC WorldCat and WorldShare Management Services preferred
- Strong computer skills, including knowledge of Windows, Microsoft Office programs and databases
- Ability to work well independently but must have good judgment regarding when to ask questions
- Must be able to lift heavy boxes and climb ladders
Education and Experience
- ALA-accredited Master's Degree in Library and Information Science or currently working in program (must earn MLIS within twelve months of hire date)
- Three years of progressively responsible library experience
- Experience with library acquisitions and serials
- Experience reviewing contracts for digital resources
- Experience with project management
- Experience managing staff
- Bachelor of Arts, Art History degree or closely related subject