Library Associate - Acquisitions

Department: Library Collections and Content
Position covered by the Collective Agreement with USW Local 4120

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.

Career Opportunities (sapsf.com) 

General Purpose

McLaughlin Library provides services and collections to the University of Guelph, the University of Guelph-Humber, and to the Regional Agricultural College at Ridgetown. As a member of the Canadian Research Network (CRKN), the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) Network, and partner in the shared Omni discovery system with other universities, the library also serves the broader Ontario University community and beyond. The Collections & Content (C & C) team manages the McLaughlin Library’s collection budget of $8.5 million, its resources and collections. C & C encompasses the following units: Collection Development, Acquisitions & Resource Management, and Course Material & Reserve Services (CMRS).

Reporting to the Manager, Acquisitions & Resource Management, the Acquisitions Library Associate, facilitates the effective and timely day-to-day operations required to source, license, enable access, and make payment for physical and electronic collections and content acquired by the Library that enhance and support the work of scholars and researchers across the University of Guelph, affiliated campuses, and the broader University community.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides operational information and analysis to support decision-making.
• Actively involved in content sourcing and acquisition, metadata generation, content delivery and receiving, licensing activities, invoice processing, and payment of content.
• Coordinates and provides functional guidance to USW assistants by organizing and overseeing day-to-day work, supporting staff development initiatives, assisting with the design and delivery of customized training programs, and developing training materials, documentation, and user guides.
• Provides cross-functional support to the Collections Resource Management (CRM) Associate by assisting with parallel and related activities.
• Serves as a strategic back-up to Acquisitions Assistants in collaboration with the Manager.
• Independently troubleshoots complex acquisitions and resource issues.
• Maintains comprehensive expertise in acquisitions operations by developing extensive knowledge of both current and historical purchasing activities. 
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of acquisitions-related systems and workflows. 
• Applies expertise to support team effectiveness and operational continuity. 
• Provides specialized acquisitions and licensing expertise by tracing acquisition records, resolving purchasing issues, confirming contractual rights, and restoring and maintaining relationships between purchasing, licensing, and content records within the Library Services Platform.
• Supports stakeholders by providing information that informs resource purchasing and evaluation decisions, assisting users in navigating electronic and print resource orders spanning decades, and interpreting historical and current acquisitions data and records.
• Plays a critical role in maintaining efficient acquisitions operations by ensuring timely intake, prioritization, coordination, and resolution of acquisitions-related requests and issues.
• Resolves issues directly and/or refers matters to appropriate team members, librarians, or other professionals as needed.

Requirements

• Hold an undergraduate degree and a recognized Library and Information Technician diploma, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Bring at least two years of work experience related to the position. 
• Apply strong numerical and financial literacy skills to support accurate, informed work. 
• Communicate clearly, organize and prioritize competing demands, and maintain strong attention to detail when engaging in complex workflows. 
• Use sound judgment, initiative, and practical problem-solving skills to address challenges and achieve positive outcomes. Confidently use common workplace technologies, including email, word processing, spreadsheets, web browsers, and collaboration tools such as OneDrive, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams. 
• Quickly adapt to changing technology and policy environments while recognizing their potential impact on workflows and processes. 
• Hands-on experience with back-end library operations using integrated library management systems and online platforms for e-books, e-journals, and streaming media. 
• Understand library vendor systems, the technology supporting library operations, and system integration, as well as academic licensing requirements, Canadian copyright law, and AODA accessibility standards. 
• Maintain a client-focused approach, build positive stakeholder relationships, and communicate with empathy, diplomacy, and tact while actively listening to others. 
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues, coordinate staff, provide functional guidance, and demonstrate leadership in support of team and organizational goals. 
• Understand university finance and library policies, services, and objectives, as well as university research and teaching practices and educational goals. 
• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a commitment to ongoing learning.

Training or certification in finance, cataloguing, licensing, or records management is a plus. Preferred qualifications include previous experience in library collections procurement that includes jobbers and consortia; intermediate skills in Microsoft Excel; and experience working in the Alma Library Services platform. Experience working in a consortia library environment with shared services, systems, and/or collections is an asset.

Employee Type: Regular Position Number: 10928278

Classification: USW, Local 4120 Salary: Band 6  
USW Local 4120 Wage Grid

*Tentative evaluation; subject to final review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 11/11/2026 Closing Date: 11/17/2026