POSITION SUMMARY:

The Acquisitions & Serials Manager oversees and coordinates all aspects of the Law Library’s acquisitions and serials operations, including ordering, receiving, tracking, contract oversight, subscription renewals, and workflow optimization for library materials acquired through multiple purchasing models. This position manages fiscal information for the library materials budget of more than $1.65 million, including monitoring acquisitions and serials accounts, reviewing invoices and ordering data, forecasting expenditures, reconciling records, maintaining pricing and renewal information, and supporting annual budget planning. The role also supervises a single employee in the department, prepares reports and statistics, and supports collection development through activities such as identifying faculty-authored works and distributing new title information. Through these responsibilities, the Acquisitions & Serials Manager ensures the efficient, accurate, and cost-effective acquisition and ongoing management of Law Library resources.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Procurement Management (45%)

• Oversees the ordering processes and receipt of all library materials through a variety of materials selection models including approval plans, firm orders and demand-driven acquisitions (DDA); reviews and evaluates workflows and work assignments of unit staff to ensure operational efficiency and rapid processing of new acquisitions
• Serves as primary vendor contact for collections materials; shares relevant product updates with library staff; coordinates vendor demos, webinars and on-campus visits
• Reviews and manages license agreements for new and continuing library resources, in coordination with the Director of Bibliographic Services and the Associate Dean for Library and Information Services.
• Manages all contracts for collections materials per University policy utilizing the campus’s contract management system.
• Communicates with publishers and other vendors to resolve problems and other issues associated with the acquisitions of library materials. 
• Identifies and acquires all faculty authored monographs for the collection.

Library Materials Budget Management (25%)

• Manages acquisitions and serials budget accounts, including balancing the accounts monthly
• Oversees the processing and review of invoicing and ordering data in library systems, principally ALMA, to ensure expenditure forecasts and fund encumbrances
• Maintains subscription data with up-to-date renewal periods and cost and pricing information
• Advises Associate Dean for Library and Information Resources and Director of Bibliographic Services about budget needs in various accounts each year budgets are prepared
• Confirms renewal costs and any updated terms with the vendors.
• Communicates cancellation information to vendors and updates local records and links when applicable.
• Resolves differences and issues between Law Library and accounts payable records.
• Manages recurring processing of budgets and orders in the integrated library system.

Additional Responsibilities (25%)

• Manages and supervises library operations associated with workflow of acquisitions and serials to achieve the most efficient use of time, space, and funds.
• Produces and distributes a monthly list of new titles for distribution to collection development committee.
• Maintains and reports necessary statistics for reporting to accrediting bodies.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Bibliographic Services.

Supervision (5%)

• Supervises the work of Law Library Associate for Acquisitions and Serials and handles performance planning, goal setting, and performance review.

CONTACTS:

• Bibliographic Services Librarian and Associate Dean for Library and Information Services – contract approvals
• Liaison Librarians – budget reports & management
• Access Services – Work orders, processing, troubleshooting
• Vendors, Publishers – license negotiation; access issues
• Access Services Librarian – website and discovery service interface
• Law School Library staff – shared and overlapping collections/tools

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Must be able to lift boxes and handle heavily loaded book carts

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, skills & ability:

Required

• Familiarity with Windows applications, Excel, and word processing software
• Ability to work well independently and as a member of a team
• Strong management skills and organizational ability
• Problem-solving skills and ability to exercise sound, independent judgment
• Working knowledge of accounting principles, budget systems, and spreadsheet software
• Familiarity with University payment and procurement procedures and software

Preferred

• Working knowledge of integrated library systems and their functions, including acquisitions, serials, fund accounting, cataloging, and information searching
• Supervisory experience
• Project management experience
• Accounting or similar financial management experience

Education & experience: 

Required

• BA/BS degree, which can be satisfied through a record of work success, especially in financial management, accounting or inventory tracking
• 2-4 years of library experience, preferably in a law library, which can be satisfied through work in related fields
   

Preferred

• Prior supervisory experience