Collections Strategist

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Job Title:

Collections Strategist

Department:

Libraries Content and Access

The Ohio State University Libraries aspires to be the model library advancing the educational, research, and engagement missions of a 21st century public, land grant, urban, community engaged university. We seek a dynamic, growth-oriented, and values-driven leader to provide strategic direction and vision for University Libraries’ licensed and purchased collections in a rapidly evolving scholarly communication environment. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Content and Access, the Collections Strategist has Libraries-wide responsibility for building and managing the Libraries’ collections. The Collections Strategist coordinates strategic collection building with innovative management of existing content to embrace new models in scholarly publishing and communication.

As a leader within the Libraries, the Collections Strategist demonstrates in-depth knowledge of trends and emerging solutions in areas relevant to collection building; engages and leads in appropriate consortial, national, and international partnerships; and contributes to the field of librarianship through active professional engagement. The Collections Strategist works in a highly collaborative organization to create and implement innovative approaches to providing effective stewardship of print and electronic collections. The Collections Strategist provides fund oversight for the over $17 million-dollar materials budget and manages collection building with materials budget funds.

Collaborating with subject specialists, curators, and leaders across the Libraries, the Collections Strategist works to define problems, provide solutions, and support professional development in collections building and management. They consistently demonstrate commitment to our values and promote an organizational culture that models The Ohio State University’s shared values. The Collections Strategist manages, supervises, and provides direction for staff in the Collection Strategy unit, including two direct full-time staff reports.

Partnerships with other libraries are integral to collection strategy for University Libraries. The Collections Strategist advances an environment of active engagement within the university collaborating with the Health Sciences, Law, and regional campus libraries on collection development and management strategy. The Collections Strategist leads Libraries’ participation in consortial engagement for collections activities in OhioLINK, the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA), HathiTrust, the Center for Research Libraries, and other cooperative programs, serving as the collection development officer representative.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead innovative program activities critical to the Libraries' collection strategies such as engaging in consortial purchasing; building and stewarding collections; pursuing sustainable publishing models and open access initiatives that align with university research and teaching objectives; periodic and on-going review of continuations; integrating new kinds of purchased or licensed content into collection building; and making selection decisions for relocation of print materials, retention, and de-duplication.

Provide leadership and coordination for collections-related projects and initiatives.

Encourage a culture of innovation, collaboration, and shared stewardship responsibilities.

Develop and implement collecting and fund management strategies in alignment with the university’s needs and the Libraries' strategic directions.

Facilitate effective and appropriate use of all funds in a materials budget of over $17 million dollars, including monitoring and developing strategy for managing all central funds in the materials budget. Manage special purpose funds and selected endowments as needed. Create allocations and delegate responsibility as needed for collections funds to other Libraries employees and provide training and leadership for them.

Provide leadership for all space planning affecting Libraries collections.

Engage with partners within the Libraries, with other campus constituencies, and with consortial partners to advance strategic activities in collection development and management.

Deploy a program of data analysis to inform collections strategy and apply data to collections decisions and other activities in the Libraries that can improve user experience in accessing and using collections.

Deploy practices that seek input from other Libraries divisions and units to inform collection building and collection management.

Provide effective and consistent communications with campus constituencies regarding Libraries’ strategies and programs for collection development and management.

professional engagement and research, presenting and publishing in appropriate venues.

Consistently demonstrates commitment to our values and promotes an organizational culture of Discovery, Connection, Integrity, and Stewardship ( as well as dedication to advance the work of the Content and Access unit. All other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

An ALA-accredited master’s degree, or a comparable graduate degree from a non-U. S. university (reviewed on a case-by-case basis).

Minimum of five years professional experience in building and managing library collections in print and digital formats, including management of funds.

Knowledge and understanding of 21st century collections issues for research libraries, emerging practices, standards, and trends relating to collection development and management in an academic or research library environment.

Demonstrated evidence of successful implementation of data-informed strategies.

Demonstrated evidence of success to work independently, as well as collaboratively, to plan, coordinate, and implement effective projects.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both orally and in writing.

Excellent organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Record of research, publication, service, and scholarly achievement to warrant appointment with tenure at the Associate Professor level or above.

Desired Qualifications:

Evidence of ability to develop strategy and lead change across an organization.

Demonstrated ability to align strategy with local priorities and evolving multi-institutional cooperative environments.

Demonstrated competencies in analysis, budgeting and planning, assessment and evaluation of library collections.

Demonstrated ability to contribute effectively to multi-institutional collaborations, especially involving library collections.

Demonstrated skills in statistical analysis and research design.

Familiarity with licensing and copyright issues.

Evidence of successful and creative management of staff and operations.

Additional Information:

Discover Ohio State

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers and recently ranked No. 4 on Forbes’ list of best U.S. employers for diversity. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

The Ohio State University’s Shared Values include Excellence and Impact, Diversity and Innovation, Inclusion and Equity, Care and Compassion, and Integrity and Respect. Our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.

The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has established Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation (DCFR) to focus on supporting new and prospective faculty and their loved ones. Service offerings include dual careers partner consultations, identifying potential employers and/or employment opportunities, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community. While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are provided to support the partners of new and prospective faculty as they are considering or transitioning to The Ohio State University.

In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies. Ohio State is an NSF ADVANCE institution and a member of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC).

Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and diverse metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. In addition to its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to Ohio State ATI in Wooster.

About The Ohio State University Libraries

The Libraries promotes innovative research and creative expression, advances effective teaching, curates and preserves information essential for scholarship and learning at Ohio State, and shares knowledge and culture with the people of Ohio, the nation, and the world. Libraries faculty and staff live these values in all that we do: Discovery, Connection, Integrity, and Stewardship. Learn about our strategic directions.

The Libraries’ greatest resource is our faculty and staff. Their expertise produces value beyond the collections and their commitment to continual improvement and innovation is one of the most significant ways the Libraries meets the diverse and evolving information needs of university students, faculty, and staff, alongside scholars throughout Ohio and the world.

As a global leader, the Libraries is actively engaged in local, statewide, national, and international initiatives to help shape the future of academic research libraries. These activities and the innovations that result enhance our ability to acquire, manage, and preserve emerging information resources, support knowledge creation, and enable its effective transmission to future learners. More information is available on the Libraries website.

The Libraries strives to provide welcoming, supportive environments for all to pursue and share knowledge. The Libraries is guided by our strategic priorities and values. All positions are expected to contribute to building and advancing this environment, and we encourage candidates to apply who share these values.

Appointment

This is a full-time, regular, 12-month appointment as a tenure-track faculty member. The candidate will be required to meet university and Libraries requirements for promotion and tenure. Faculty rank at Associate Professor or Professor are dependent on qualifications and experience.

The Ohio State University believes in diversity in people and ideas. What Ohio State does matters. And how we do it matters. When we are at our best, we make a real difference to people. We believe that the university should be a place where people can work and learn together in a safe environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, and intimidation. As such, finalists for any faculty position that carries tenure must sign an authorization and disclosure form, which will allow current or prior employer(s) to share information to the University regarding any findings of employment-related misconduct or disciplinary proceedings against a candidate and/or any pending investigations related to alleged misconduct. Such information shall include findings and pending investigations with respect to sexual harassment, violence, or harassment; research misconduct; financial fraud or misconduct; foreign influence violations, grant misuse or misconduct; and/or any other type of finding or pending investigation relating to a candidate’s employer’s policies and rules governing faculty conduct that may reasonably be expected to affect a candidate’s appointment. If the University becomes aware of any past finding of misconduct or pending investigations that were not disclosed, Ohio State will treat that as a serious omission and reserves the right to rescind an offer or terminate employment.

Salary

$100,000 to $120,000 annual salary negotiable.

Application

Please submit cover letter, CV, references, and online application by June 1, 2025.

Location:

Thompson Library (0050)

Position Type:

Regular

Scheduled Hours:

40

Shift:First Shift

The Ohio State University believes in diversity in people and ideas. What Ohio State does matters. And how we do it matters. When we are at our best, we make a real difference to people. Our size, breadth, geography, history and standard of excellence position us to drive the future of higher education. We believe that the university should be a place where people can work and learn together in a safe environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. As such, finalists for any faculty position that carries tenure must sign an authorization and disclosure form, which will allow current or prior employer(s) to share information to the University regarding any findings of employment-related misconduct or disciplinary proceedings against a candidate and/or any pending investigations related to alleged misconduct. Such information shall include findings and pending investigations with respect to sexual harassment, violence, or harassment; research misconduct; financial fraud or misconduct; foreign influence