Library Acquisitions Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Towson University (TU) is one of the nation's top 100 public universities. Located north of Baltimore, TU currently enrolls over 19,000 students and is the second-largest university in the prestigious University System of Maryland. Towson University fosters a climate that is grounded in respect to cultivate the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.

The Albert S. Cook Library invites applications for a Librarian I position in the Content Management Department. Preferred start date November 4, 2026.

Under the general direction of the Director of Content Management, the Collection Management Librarian will provide flexible, responsive leadership in the management of collection development and acquisitions operation, including serving as the primary liaison contact for acquisitions operation. Leads the collection development team of librarians across departments, collaborating with the Director of Content Management and Head of Resource Sharing, to set group agendas, priorities and decision points for collection development. Formulates, develops, recommends and modifies policies and procedures for acquisitions as well as general library policies that involve acquisitions. Participates in library assessment initiatives.

Librarian I: Master's degree in library or information science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent, or completion of a master's degree in library or information science within a year of the start date. Familiarity with library collection development, technical services, acquisitions, or other related library areas.  Strong, positive interpersonal and collaborative skills; ability to work in a team environment. Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work flexibly and creatively in a changing and fast paced environment with a diverse population. Commitment to continued growth in areas of responsibility. Demonstrated ability to meet the University's criteria for promotion and permanent status of library faculty, through professional development and service accomplishments. Librarian II: In addition to the above, at least three years of professional experience as a librarian. Evidence of substantive contributions to the maintenance of quality in library services and resources. Documentation of successful completion of significant projects for a local, regional or national library or library association. Evidence of progress towards a scholarly research agenda including plan for publications, grants, evidence synthesis, creative works, etc. Evidence of service to prior library or campus including participation on committees; or evidence of participation on regional or national library associations.

Knowledge of library acquisitions operations in a library environment. Experience administering the GOBI ordering platform. Demonstrated competencies as outlined in "Core Competencies for Acquisitions Professionals" (https://alair.ala.org/items/b1d2eac1-3493-427d-9c25-4399c7116a15) Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently and collaboratively on a variety of projects simultaneously. Experience managing statistical data and generating reports. Familiarity with web discovery services, link resolvers, proxy and authentication services. Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently and collaboratively on a variety of projects simultaneously.  Demonstrated excellent organizational, analytical, time management, and project management skills. Ability to learn new library and computer technology and stay current with technology developments.

Under the general direction of the Director of Content Management, the Collection Management Librarian will provide flexible, responsive leadership in the management of collection development and acquisitions operation, including serving as the primary liaison contact for acquisitions operation. Leads the collection development team of librarians across departments, collaborating with the Director of Content Management and Head of Resource Sharing, to set group agendas, priorities and decision points for collection development. Formulates, develops, recommends and modifies policies and procedures for acquisitions as well as general library policies that involve acquisitions. Participates in library assessment initiatives.

Provides leadership and oversight for the strategic growth, stewardship, and fiscal accountability of the library's collections. This role chairs or co-chairs collection development activities and works closely with the Director of Content Management, Head of Resource Sharing, and subject liaison librarians to coordinate selection and deselection decisions, establish approval plans, and ensure collections align with institutional priorities and user needs. The incumbent serves as a primary resource for librarians engaged in collection building, providing guidance and training on selection tools such as GOBI, evaluating collection funding and allocation models, and supporting data-informed decision-making regarding print and electronic resources. The position also collaborates on financial analyses related to transformative agreements, publisher pricing changes, and enrollment-driven funding needs to support budget planning and advocacy efforts.

In addition, the position oversees acquisitions operations and promotes effective collaboration across library departments. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with audit standards through accurate reconciliation and documentation of all library material purchases, developing and refining acquisitions policies and procedures, assessing workflows, and directing staff priorities to maximize efficiency and accountability. The incumbent manages systems supporting monograph selection and ordering, evaluates and implements acquisitions technologies, and analyzes data from library and vendor platforms to monitor performance and improve processes. Working closely with library unit leads and cross-functional teams, the position develops, documents, and communicates workflows that span multiple functional areas, fostering collaboration, consistency, and service excellence across the organization.

Albert S. Cook Library is the campus library for Towson University, the largest university in the Baltimore area and the second largest in the University System of Maryland. Cook Library also serves the Towson University Northeastern Maryland (TUNE) campus. With 28 faculty librarians and 26 staff, Cook Library provides superior support to Towson University.  

Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Applicant should submit a resume or curriculum vitae, cover letter, and the names and contact information of three relevant references.

Click here to apply. Please note that the search number for which you are applying is LIB-4012.

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