Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2001 12:44:51 -0500
From: John Blosser <jblosser@NORTHWESTERN.EDU>
Subject: Job Announcement: Mono Acquisitions/Quick Cataloging Head --
 Northwestern (John Blosser)

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duplication.

PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIAN VACANCY

POSITION: Head Monographic Acquisitions and Rapid Cataloging Department
DIVISION: Technical Services
REPORTS TO: Assistant University Librarian for Technical Services

SUMMARY: Manages and leads the Monographic Acquisitions and Rapid
Cataloging (MARC) Department, which is responsible for the order, receipt,
and copy cataloging of monographic publications using the Voyager library
management system and other automated systems. The responsibilities of the
Head include: coordinating the work of the MARC Department with other
library units, goal and priority-setting, policy and procedure formulation;
monitoring and revision of work flows; planning and monitoring production
and use of resources; directly supervising two high-level support staff
(and indirectly supervising fourteen more support staff positions);
designing and updating training programs and documentation for staff; and
communicating with book vendors. Serves on the Technical Services Division
management team and as a member of the Management Council, an advisory body
to the University Librarian.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Formulates and implements goals, objectives, policies and
procedures; sets and adjusts priorities and allocates financial, staff and
space resources for the MARC Department. Plans, prepares, and analyzes
budgets, reports and statistics.
Supervises staff responsible for bibliographic searching, ordering,
receipt, and copy cataloging of monographic materials in all formats.
Working with an intermediate supervisor, prepares position descriptions;
hires, trains and evaluates staff; establishes performance standards and
goals; and recommends appropriate personnel actions.
Designs, coordinates and carries out training programs for staff. Promotes
continuing staff development for employees. Prepares staff manuals and
other materials setting forth policies and procedures. Responsible for
maintenance of the MARC Department's Web Page.
Works with the Coordinator of Acquisitions Services (who is also Head of
the Serials Department) to develop and coordinate acquisitions policies and
procedures governing the ordering, receipt, and payment of materials in
central technical services. Monitors book fund expenditures, discussing
trends and problems with appropriate staff. Coordinates blanket order and
approval programs. Serves as the primary technical services contact with
monograph vendors. Communicates frequently with selectors and staff of the
Business and Finance Department to keep acquisitions operations running
smoothly.
Serves as a departmental resource for acquisitions, cataloging, and
classification questions and problems. Works with Catalog Department staff
to coordinate copy cataloging policies and practices, and to cooperatively
maintain monographic cataloging backlogs.
Serves as a member of the Technical Services Division management team,
participating in the overall planning and management of technical services
operations, and coordinating activities with other Northwestern libraries
and units. Participates in library-wide planning and service programs.
Serves on the Management Council, an advisory body to the University Librarian.
QUALIFICATIONS: Required: MLS from an ALA-accredited library school;
substantial library technical services experience using automated library
systems (minimum 3 years preferred); sufficient cataloging experience and
knowledge to support training, policy and procedural formulation, and
problem-solving; successful supervisory experience and ability to
communicate effectively orally and in writing; interest in and
understanding of production processes; interest in and willingness to learn
research library acquisitions duties and issues (acquisitions experience
preferred); ability to provide strong leadership in a dynamic technical
services environment.
ENVIRONMENT: Northwestern University is a major private university that
participates in programs of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation. The
library system serving the University includes the Northwestern University
Library, three branch libraries on the Evanston campus, and four libraries
on the Chicago campus. Northwestern University Library is a member of the
Association of Research Libraries. The holdings of the libraries total over
3.6 million volumes. The MARC Department is one of three departments in the
Technical Services Division of the Library. Technical Services Division
staff work in a highly automated environment, using OCLC, the Voyager
library management system, a locally-developed catalogers' toolkit, and
other online resources.
SALARY: $45,000 minimum.
TO APPLY: Send letter of application and resume, including names and
addresses of three references to Peter Devlin, Personnel Librarian,
Northwestern University Library, 1935 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois
60208-2300 or <mailto:library-personnel@northwestern.edu>. Applications
received by October 1, 2001 will receive first consideration. Northwestern
University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Employment
eligibility verification required upon hire.
      John P. Blosser
      Head, Serials Dept. and
         Coordinator of Acquisitions Services
      Northwestern University Library
      1935 Sheridan Road
      Evanston, IL 60208-2300

      jblosser@northwestern.edu
      Voice: 847/491-2933
      FAX:   847/491-7637