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Acquisitions Librarian Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cincinnati State

Adjunct, Librarian

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

$25/hr

Adjunct Librarian This posting is part of an ongoing recruitment effort. Applications are accepted ... Acquisitions * Budget Management * Other duties as assigned Minimum Qualifications * Master ...

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$100.5K

How much do acquisitions librarian jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for acquisitions librarian in the United States is $62,056.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,500.00 and $72,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Acquisitions Librarian position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Acquisitions Librarian, you need a solid understanding of collection development, bibliographic resources, budgeting, and library science principles, typically supported by a master’s degree in library science (MLS or MLIS). Familiarity with integrated library systems (ILS), library vendor platforms, and acquisitions modules is essential, and certification from the American Library Association (ALA) is often preferred. Excellent negotiation, project management, and communication skills help you excel when coordinating with vendors and collaborating with colleagues. These skills are crucial for efficiently building collections that meet the institution’s needs while adhering to budget and policy constraints.

What does an Acquisitions Librarian do?

An Acquisitions Librarian is responsible for selecting, ordering, and managing library materials, such as books, journals, and digital resources. They evaluate and negotiate with vendors, track budgets, and ensure that the library's collection meets the needs of its users. Acquisitions Librarians work closely with other library staff to develop and maintain a well-balanced and accessible collection. Their role involves staying updated on publishing trends, user preferences, and technological advancements in information resources.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of an Acquisitions Librarian?

As an Acquisitions Librarian, your daily responsibilities include evaluating and selecting new materials (such as books, journals, and digital resources), managing purchase orders and budgets, and negotiating with vendors to obtain the best pricing and licensing terms. You’ll also track approvals, monitor shipments, resolve invoicing or delivery issues, and work closely with subject librarians, catalogers, and technical services teams to ensure materials are processed smoothly. While much of your work is detail-oriented and desk-based, collaborating with various departments is common, ensuring that the library’s collections stay current, relevant, and responsive to users' needs. This role is well-suited to those who enjoy balancing research, critical thinking, and teamwork in a dynamic library environment.

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Acquisitions Librarian jobs near you
Infographic showing various Acquisitions Librarian job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,056 per year, or $29.8 per hour.

Collection Development & Acquisitions Librarian

Worcester Polytech

Worcester, MA

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

JOB TITLE

Collection Development & Acquisitions Librarian

LOCATION

Worcester

DEPARTMENT NAME

Scholarly Communication & Open Strategies

DIVISION NAME

Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

Working collaboratively with colleagues across all library departments, manages the assessment, selection and deselection, and licensing of digital and print resources by formulating, articulating, and managing policies and procedures to develop, shape, and balance the Library's collections to support learning, teaching, and research.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Manage collections assessment and development

  • Analyze institutional data, bibliographic data, usage statistics, interlibrary loan data, and other metrics
  • Utilize collection development and assessment tools, such as Greenglass, Gold Rush, etc.
  • Establish and monitor title selection plans, such as PDA (Patron Driven Acquisitions), DDA (Demand-Driven Acquisitions), etc.
  • Monitor pricing and usage of ejournal packages and databases
  • Respond to requests for information resources made by faculty, students, and staff

Oversee collection management and acquisitions procedures and activities

  • Implement and utilize title selection and acquisition tools and software
  • Select and deselect information resources for the general collection, based on current and proposed academic curricula and discipline needs and practices
  • Manage and participate in the library's resource acquisitions workflow, including ordering and receiving items and processing invoices
  • Document and train others as needed in use of vendor and library systems to acquire or deselect information resources
  • Participate in shared print initiatives (e.g. EAST)

Collaborate with library Research and Instruction team and other library colleagues regularly to ensure the WPI community is receiving an appropriate level of support for their academic work

  • Meet regularly to discuss the library resource needs of faculty, students, and other library users
  • Participate in gathering and analyzing community feedback from surveys, interviews, and focus groups

Develop planning and budgetary recommendations for the library's collections

  • Allocate and expend the budget in the library management system
  • Monitor and ensure efficient expenditure of the budget in consultation with the University Librarian, Associate Library Director, and others

Negotiate pricing and licensing terms for library e-resources

  • In collaboration with the Associate Director, maintain working relationships with library vendors, publishers, and consortia to obtain the best possible pricing and terms of use
  • Administer digital licensing procedures and renewals in the library management system
  • Coordinate electronic resource trials
  • Monitor trends in the broader library resources community and scholarly publishing sphere

Administer the Library's gift in kind program for materials

  • Identify and pursue potential gift opportunities
  • Select donations for the collection and send unwanted donations to appropriate vendors or organizations for resale, archiving, or recycling
  • Refer archival and special collections gift and donation offers to the University Archivist

Support institutional compliance with accreditation and external agencies

  • Provide data for reports and analyses related to collections development and maintenance as required by university offices and external agencies, including ACRL (Association of College & Research Libraries) and accreditation bodies

Participate in Library, professional, and community engagement

  • Participate in providing direct services to library users and customers, or providing informed referrals
  • Participate in collaborative library programs and activities including outreach events, strategic and annual planning, and collaborations with university community offices and student groups
  • Participate in and contribute to WPI committees, initiatives, and goals contributing to WPI and library strategic initiatives
  • Engage in and contribute to the profession through continuing learning, service, research, presentations, or professional communications

Performs all other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor.

Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in Library and Information Science or equivalent graduate degree in library and information studies
  • Minimum of two to five years of experience in library collection development
  • Three to five years of professional experience in an academic library
  • Knowledge of current issues and trends in library collections development, information delivery and access, electronic and digital resources, and related copyright and licensing issues
  • Familiarity with current print and electronic acquisitions trends, as well as academic library metadata practices
  • Demonstrated operational experience with an online integrated library system (ILS), preferably experience or marked familiarity with FOLIO ILS
  • Demonstrated excellent collaboration and communication skills, including written and oral communications
  • Evidence of strong skills in decision making, problem solving, independent action, analytical and critical thinking, project/program or service management, and general office technical skills

Preferred qualifications and experience:

  • Familiarity with research and teaching in the STEM fields through education or prior work experience
  • Familiarity with open access publishing models

Salary Grade 7: $62,500 - $78,100 - $93,700 (full range); expected hiring range $73,000 - $78,000 (depending on experience)

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.

Compensation at WPI

FLSA STATUS

United States of America (Exempt)

WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status,or disability. It seeks individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making.It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.

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