Position description
Reporting to the Dean of Libraries and Archives, the Library Resources and Access Manager leads a team of staff responsible for technical services, access services, & resource sharing. This position oversees the acquisitions budget, has five direct reports, and manages a portfolio of ~13 individuals. The LRAM is responsible for developing and sustaining a unified approach to resource management, access, and patron services, ensuring collaboration, coordination, and communication across library departments. This position works closely with the Collections Librarian, ordering librarians, and other partners inside and outside the library. The incumbent is a member of the leadership team and serves as the staff supervisor-in-charge in the absence of the Dean.
Responsibilities
- Under direction from the Dean of Libraries & Archives, is an active member of the leadership team and serve as the staff supervisor-in-charge in their absence
- Contribute to a positive organizational culture, facilitating collaboration, coordination, and communication within and across departments
- Hire, train, coach, and mentor supervisees, assisting the Head of Access Services & Resource sharing with the same; set goals, track progress, monitor results, and provide feedback and guidance to ensure success
- Support the Head of Access Services & Resource Sharing to ensure efficient and effective workflows and outstanding patron-oriented services
- Under direction from the Dean, oversee the library acquisitions budget and related financial processes and practices; create, input, roll-over and manage the budget (~$1mill in operating and endowments) in the library LSP (Alma); approve fund codes and expenditures; reconcile accounts, track balances, and prepare budget projections
- Oversee print and electronic resource acquisitions staff and operations, ensuring adherence to established procedures that facilitate efficient processes, responsible financial practices, and accessible library resources; ensure maintenance of up-to-date vendor files
- Coordinate the electronic resource renewals and cancellations process in consultation with the librarians and acquisitions staff; communicate with vendors and consortia as needed on issues related to ordering, invoicing, and activation
- Supervise cataloguing and metadata technician; ensure high-quality records that facilitate access and discoverability as determined by the Collections Librarian; support librarians with digital and other special projects as requested; facilitate effective and timely workflows
- Assist with the maintenance of up-to-date holdings and records information for electronic resources, ensuring accuracy and accessibility in the discovery layer and A-Z list; refer complex access and records questions to the Collections Librarian
- Serve as a member of the electronic resource troubleshooting team; assists with triaging, resolving, and delegating support tickets; communicate professionally with patrons to resolve issues and ensure access
- In collaboration with Novanet and internal team, configure the acquisitions and fulfillment modules in Alma; maintain expert knowledge of Alma functions and analytics; identify and ensure task cleanup for acquisitions and cataloguing functions
- Develop procedures and documentation to support departmental operations and make recommendations for improvement
- Run reports, gather statistics, and communicate frequently with library administration, financial services, librarians, vendors, and others; support librarians’ collection and electronic resource assessment and evaluation processes as needed
- Identify, recommend, and assist with implementation and training for new systems, services, processes and skills for continuous improvement in consultation with appropriate colleagues
- Coordinate, provide, or support training for staff and student workers; supervise student workers as needed; provide backup to departmental operations as needed.
Other Duties
- Represents the library on Novanet, CAAL, and other relevant professional committees; library staff are encouraged to participate in activities and events that promote our collections, services, and resources internally and externally
- May serve on the web services team, supporting activities that ensure accurate and timely information on the library website, assisting with the configuration of the ILS discovery layer (Primo) and other methods to improve discoverability and access; may serve on the library’s public services committee, collections committee, and others as appropriate
- Stay current on and pursue relevant professional development opportunities on best practices and trends in library services and technologies; makes recommendations to the Dean or other parties as appropriate
- Work collaboratively and effectively with library colleagues on shared strategies, initiatives, and issues; positively and professionally represents the library internally and externally.
- Support the Dean with special projects, as needed
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications/skills
- A Bachelor’s degree, Library Technician’s Diploma (LIT) or equivalent, and a minimum of 5 years of library experience is required
- An equivalent combination of education, skills, and experience may be considered
- Experience in at least four of the following areas is required:
- Superior knowledge of Alma or comparable ILS
- Project management
- Library acquisitions
- Circulation/access services
- Electronic resource management
- Budget management and accounting
- Experience with creating and maintaining catalogue and metadata records
- Outstanding interpersonal, communication, and patron service skills
- Demonstrated skill as a leader, mentor, and trainer; ability to lead teams and effectively supervise work
- Advanced proficiency with spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel) and intermediate proficiency with Office products; high degree of comfort with and the ability to adapt quickly to new technologies
- Ability to run reports, track statistics, monitor trends and make informed decisions
- Ability to take initiative and manage multiple projects, priorities, deadlines, and develop/implement process improvements
- Demonstrated aptitude for investigating and troubleshooting technical and process related issues
- Attention to detail and accuracy, and ability to keep accurate financial records
Only those already eligible to work in Canada need apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Application materials will be collected for recruitment purposes only and handled in accordance with the University’s privacy and records-management practices. If you experience any difficulty accessing the link, please contact hr@mta.ca for assistance. Review of candidates will begin on Monday, October 26th and will remain open until filled.
Submit Résumé and Cover Letter
Mount Allison is committed to diversity and inclusiveness. We encourage applications from members of racialized communities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual and gender identities. We seek candidates with qualifications and knowledge to contribute specifically to the further diversification of our campus community.
At Mount Allison, we are committed to ensuring your interview experience is as comfortable and accessible as possible. If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the interview process, please do not hesitate to inform us. Your needs are important to us, and our dedicated team is here to support you by reaching out to People and Culture at hr@mta.ca
Visit our website at www.mta.ca/employment for other employment opportunities at Mount Allison University or to register to receive e-mail notification of new opportunities.
