HEAD, RESEARCH SERVICES FOR DATA AND COLLECTIONS, Boston University Libraries (23500053280315)
Boston University
Application
Details
Posted: 16-Mar-23
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Type: Full-time
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 4008269
HEAD, RESEARCH SERVICES FOR DATA AND COLLECTIONS, Boston University Libraries (23500053280315)
Tracking Code: 23500053280315
Job Description The Boston University Libraries are seeking a Head for Research Services for Data and Collections to respond to the evolving and emerging demands for data and collections for research and teaching at BU. Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Research and Learning, this position guides programmatic collection development for Research and Learning and provides leadership for the collection development strategies of individual subject specialists and liaisons in the Research and Learning division, especially in areas of interdisciplinary overlap and emerging needs.
This position directly supervises a group of subject specialists across disciplinary areas and liaisons within the Research and Learning division and manages their work in support of divisional and library-wide goals in coordination with the Head, Research Services for Instruction and Consultation. The Head, Research Services for Data and Collections, works closely with the Collections Strategist, the Business Services Unit, and other stakeholders and decision-makers in the acquisitions and access workflow to articulate and execute a comprehensive collection development strategy that supports the research and teaching needs of Boston University. The Head, Research Services for Data and Collections, is responsible for supporting decision-making by the Associate University Librarian for Research and Learning and other library leadership by providing collections assessments and analytics, including dimensions such as acquisitions, usage, and academic enrollment, to support collection development decisions in a highly dynamic University environment.
This is a new position with Boston University Libraries and reflects the transformation happening inside the Research and Learning division. The Research and Learning division is responsible for many core library services, such as circulation, course reserves, and interlibrary loan, in addition to the research services provided by our subject specialists and liaisons. This role will directly supervise eight subject specialists and liaisons, including the supervision of subject branch liaisons and specialists, with an overall management portfolio that includes indirect reports. The management portfolio includes liaisons and specialists from across the range of disciplines studied at Boston University, including STEM, social sciences and area studies, humanities and classics, and fine and performing arts.
This position is part of the leadership team within Research and Learning, and will have as peers the Head, Research Services for Instruction and Consultation, the Head of Access Services and Library Experience, and the Head of Materials Services. As part of the leadership team, this position will help to shape the delivery of services across the scope of the Research and Learning division and facilitate our evolution in response to emerging campus needs.
A resume and cover letter are required to be considered.
Responsibilities
Provide assessment and analytics for the data and collections budget for the Research and Learning division. In conjunction with the Associate University Librarian for Research and Learning, plan and oversee the allocated data and collections budgets for the Research and Learning division. Conduct analyses of potential purchases. Monitor expenditures for the allocated data and collections funds and manage acquisitions related to restricted funding in line with the agreement requirements. Prepare annual assessments of data and collections needs in support of campus budgetary cycles.
Work directly with all subject specialists and liaisons making acquisition decisions for data and collections in the Research and Learning division to coordinate programmatic objectives and ensure coverage of interdisciplinary and emerging need areas. Identify areas for engagement between liaisons and researchers that will guide purchasing decisions. Support comprehensive data and collection coverage through close coordination of data and collection development efforts within Research and Learning. In coordination with subject specialists and liaisons, craft and implement strategies for collection development activities in support of subject and programmatic areas.
Work with the Collections Strategist, the Business Services Unit, and other campus stakeholders and partners on strategic acquisition decisions. Support the work of licensing and contract negotiation/settlement by providing analytics and assessment information based upon the work of Research and Learning staff. Identify and propose strategic acquisitions that involve digitization, web archiving, and gift opportunities in line with the strategic priorities of Research and Learning.
Supervise subject specialists and liaisons as assigned. Support staff professional development and provide management feedback, coaching, and performance evaluation. Advocate for subject specialist and liaison needs. Share communications from leadership and create space for information sharing by supervised individuals.
Serve as selector and principal liaison in assigned areas. Provide advanced reference and research support. Participate in library instructional activities. Assist in the provision of outreach services, acting as a principal within Research and Learning for data and collections issues.
Required Skills
Masters degree
3-5 years of relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications
Doctoral degree
5-8 years of relevant experience
Boston University Libraries is a learning organization that supports the work of BU librarians, archivists, and information and subject specialists to seek and share knowledge, practices, and perspectives that advance library services to the university community. Embedded in numerous vibrant regional and national library and information specialist networks, the Boston University Libraries are active members within the Boston Library Consortium, the Association of Research Libraries, and the Coalition for Networked Information, and library staff at BU serve as engaged thought-leaders on a wide breadth of library management and service areas across diverse communities.
Through the Libraries, BU also is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), the Northeast Research Libraries Consortium (NERL), HathiTrust, the Boston Library Consortium (BLC), the Eastern Academic Scholars Trust (EAST), the OCLC Research Library Partnership, the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC), and the Higher Education Leadership Initiative for Open Scholarship (HELIOS).
Boston University, a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), is one of the leading private research and teaching institutions in the world, with two primary campuses in the heart of Boston and programs around the globe. Chartered in 1869, the University is home to more than 33,000 students from more than 130 countries, 375,000 living alumni, 10,000 faculty and staff, and 17 schools and colleges.
Please note all newly hired staff and faculty will need to be in compliance with Boston Universitys COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption (instructions). For further information on the Universitys response to COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Resources site.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
Job Location: BOSTON, Massachusetts, United States Position Type: Full-Time/Regular Salary Grade: Grade 49
Boston University is no small operation. With over 33,000 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 140 countries, 10,000 faculty and staff, 16 schools and colleges, and 250 fields of study, our two campuses are always humming.