Head, Collection Strategies

Head, Collection Strategies

Penn State University Libraries (PSUL) seeks applications for Head, Collection Strategies. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Collections and Commonwealth Campus Libraries, this tenure-line positionprovides strategic guidancefor the development, stewardship, assessment, and long-term direction of the Libraries’ research and teaching collections. The Head will focus on collaborating with library colleagues across the University Libraries, institutional partners and constituents across the University, and external partners to develop and implement a unified collections strategy that aligns collection development, acquisitions, interlibrary loan, and intentional, forward-looking stewardship with institutional values, budget realities, and user needs.

This is a faculty appointment and an academic administrator. This position requires regular onsite presence at the University Park campus.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and direction for collection development: Articulate and implement vision and strategies for sustainable collection building; co-lead the Libraries' Collections Council in developing collection strategies, policies, and practices that prioritize equitable access, diverse and inclusive collecting, and responsiveness to emerging research, curricular, and University priorities.

Lead the Collection Strategies Department: Supervise and mentor faculty and staff within the Collection Strategies Department (Collection Analysis, Collection Maintenance, and Annex units).

Shape collections budget strategy and investment priorities: In collaboration with the Head of Acquisitions and Resource Sharing, synthesize data, usage trends, and community input to develop the Libraries' collections budget strategy, advise on equitable fund allocation, and provide timely expenditure projections to Libraries’ Administration

Lead strategic vendor and publisher negotiations: Develop and maintain relationships with key vendors and publishers in support of major contract negotiations and transformative agreement frameworks. Design and oversee a framework for ongoing assessment of collections investments, including transformative licensing efforts.

Advance collection initiatives: Serve as PSUL representative to membership organizations (e.g., BTAA) for group purchasing and collection development decision-making; provide leadership on shared collection projects.

Maintain scholarly and professional engagement:Participate in relevant professional committees, leadership roles in professional organizations, and scholarly activity and research.

The successful candidate is expected to be hired at the rank of Associate Librarian or Librarian and appointed with tenure within the University Libraries. Candidates qualified for appointment at the rank of Assistant Librarian will also be considered.

• Candidates for the rank of Assistant Librarian should possess a graduate degree in library or information studies or other appropriate degree; must have demonstrated ability as a librarian; and must have shown growth in research and service. 

• Candidate for the rank of Associate Librarian should possess the same qualifications as the Assistant Librarian, demonstrate excellence in librarianship, show evidence of an established reputation in research, and have a strong record of service to the University and the profession.

• Candidates for the rank of Librarian should possess the same qualifications as the Associate Librarian; demonstrate sustained excellence in librarianship; have achieved a distinguished reputation in research, scholarship, or librarianship accomplishment; and maintain a substantial record of service and leadership to the University, the profession, and/or the broader community.

More information about faculty appointments in the University Libraries can be found in the Guideline UL-ACG07 Promotion and Tenure Criteria (https://libraries.psu.edu/policies/ul-acg07).

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited program, or an equivalent combination of advanced degree and relevant professional experience.

• Five or more years of professional experience in academic or research library collections, acquisitions, or a closely related area.

• Demonstrated knowledge of collection development principles, practices, and emerging trends in academic and research libraries, including print and electronic resources in all formats.

• Experience working in a consortia or networked library environment.

• Experience using data and assessment methods to inform collection decisions, including the ability to collect, analyze, and communicate findings to support strategic planning.

• Knowledge of open access models, scholarly communication trends, and the evolving scholarly publishing landscape, including transformative and Read & Publish agreements.

• Demonstrated leadership experience, such as supervision, mentoring, chairing cross-departmental committees, teams, and initiatives, and/or project management. 

• Strong analytical, written, and oral communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate across departments and with external partners.

• Evidence of active professional engagement, and a record of research, publication, or other scholarly activity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with budget management and financial planning for library collections, including expenditure tracking, projection, and reporting.

• Knowledge of copyright, fair use, and rights management as applied to library resources and licensing.

• Experience with deselection, space planning, or physical collection management projects, including shared print or collaborative retention programs.

• Awareness of emerging technologies and their responsible application in collections work, including AI-assisted tools for collection assessment or resource discovery.

About the Collection Strategies Department