Following is the job description for a dept. head opening at Northwestern
University Library.  I am forwarding it to SERIALST on behalf of the search
committee.  This announcement may be forwarded to multiple lists; please
excuse any duplication.

Kevin M. Randall
Head of Serials Cataloging
Northwestern University Library
Evanston, IL  60208-2300
(708) 491-2939
kmr@nwu.edu

 PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIAN VACANCY

 POSITION:  Head, Serials and Acquisitions Services Department

 DEPARTMENT:  Serials and Acquisitions Services

 DIVISION:  Technical Services

 REPORTS TO:  Assistant University Librarian for Technical Services

 SUMMARY:  Manages and leads the Serials and Acquisitions Services Department
 (SAS), which is responsible for pre-order searching; monographic ordering
 and receiving, serials ordering and receiving, gifts and exchanges, and
 serials cataloging.  The department is responsible for the expenditure of a
 $4.5 million materials budget and for processing over 15,000 current serial
 titles.   The responsibilities of the Head include direct or indirect
 supervision of 3 librarians and 13 non-exempt staff;  policy and budget
 formulation; procedural review; and goal setting.  The Head is responsible
 for coordinating the work of the Department with that of other library
 units, and serves on the Technical Services management team.  Also serves as
 a member of the Management Council, an advisory body to the University
 Librarian.

 RESPONSIBILITIES:

 Formulates and implements goals, objectives, policies and procedures.  Sets
 priorities and allocates financial, staff and space resources for the
 Department.  Continually examines and as necessary adjusts operations in
 relation to Library policies and goals in the light of changing
 circumstances and new opportunities.

 Directly or indirectly supervises 3 librarians, 13 support staff plus
 student assistants, who are engaged in monographic order preparation,
 approval plan maintenance, serials order placement, claiming, receipt, gifts
 and exchange operations, and serials cataloging.  Responsible for the
 preparation of position descriptions; hiring, training and evaluating staff;
 establishing performance standards and goals; and recommending appropriate
 personnel actions.

 Conducts meetings to review needs, develop new procedures, and communicate
 information.  Interprets administrative decisions, directions, policies and
 regulations to SAS staff.  Promotes continuing staff development for the
 Department's employees.

 Plans, prepares, and analyzes budgets, reports and statistics; prepares
 staff manuals and other materials setting forth policies and procedures for
 the Department.

 Monitors book and serial expenditures and monthly budget statements,
 discussing trends and problems with appropriate staff.  Coordinates blanket
 order and approval programs.  Maintains contacts with publishers and library
 materials vendors to solve problems and negotiate service; analyzes vendor
 performance.

 Maintains current awareness and understanding of issues and trends in
 serials and acquisitions, publishing and  librarianship.  Keeps abreast of
 and coordinates adherence to appropriate standards and business practices.

 Serves as a member of the Technical Services management team,  consulting
 with heads of the Bibliographic Records Services and the Catalog
 departments, participating in the overall  planning and management of
 Technical Services operations, and coordinating activities with other
 Northwestern libraries and units.

 Works closely with Collection Management and Administrative Services staff,
 and with library materials selectors throughout the library.  Consults with
 representatives of other libraries and library units using  a shared NOTIS
 system for acquisitions, serials control and cataloging activities. Consults
 with Information Technology Division staff  about utilization and
 modification of  automated systems for support of serials and acquisitions
 operations.

 Participates in library-wide planning and service programs.  Serves as a
 member of Management Council, an advisory body to the University Librarian.

 QUALIFICATIONS:

 Required:  MLS from an ALA-accredited library school;  Extensive (at least
 five years preferred) post-MLS technical services experience; Substantial
 (at least two years preferred) acquisitions and/or serials control
 experience in an academic or research library using an automated library
 information management system; thorough understanding of  publishing and
 library acquisitions  issues; Successful supervisory and management
 experience; Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
 Record of professional development and continuing education.

 Preferred:  Serials cataloging experience; Experience supervising both
 librarians and support staff; Record of innovation and successful
 implementation of change; Record of professional service and/or research.

 ENVIRONMENT:

 Northwestern University is a major private university which offers an
 extensive library system to support its program of study, research and
 teaching.  This 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 and participates in programs of the Committee on Institutional
 Cooperation.  The holdings of the libraries total over 3.6 million volumes.
 The Serials and Acquisitions Services Department is one of three units in
 the Technical Services Division.  Technical Services staff work in a highly
 automated environment, using OCLC, NOTIS, a locally-developed cataloger's
 toolbox,  and other online resources.

 SALARY:  $40,000 minimum.

 TO APPLY:   Send letter of application and resume, including names and
 addresses of three references to Peter Devlin, Personnel Librarian,
 Northwestern University Library, Evanston, Illinois 60208-230.  Applications
 submitted by November 10, 1995 will receive first consideration.
 Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
 Employment eligibility verification required upon hire.