Adult Collections Coordinator, Selection

Department: Collections

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Library Services Center

Reporting To: Stephanie Anderson

Compensation: $90,000 - $96,000 / year

Description

Overview

BookOps is the shared technical services organization of the New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library, and the Selection department is responsible for the selection and ordering of all circulating materials for both systems, serving 150 branches and two separate digital collections. The Adult Collections Coordinator works with the Adult Selectors, other Selection Coordinators, and many stakeholders across NYPL and BPL to coordinate, manage, and develop the physical and digital collections in English for adult patrons, as well as support strategic initiatives serving adults of all ages.

We are looking for someone we can count on to:

Own :

Responsibility for the short-term and long-term success of the circulating adult collections of NYPL and BPL

Teach :

How adult collection development decisions are made and how all colleagues across both libraries can help engage in that work

Learn:

How to synthesize large quantities of information to consistently make meaningful and effective collection development decisions

Improve :

Workflows and processes for discovering and equitably distributing a wide variety of books for adults across our diverse communities

Some expectations for this role are that within:

1 month , this person will:

Learn the basic technical aspects of selecting and ordering in the unique BookOps environment
Meet stakeholders from both member libraries who they will collaborate with regularly

3 months , this person will:

Begin basic selection and ordering tasks in collaboration with their team
Help manage end of fiscal year buying plans, including special projects

6 months and beyond , this person will:

Take over management of all operational and special funds indicated for adult print collections
Begin creating long-term plan for adult collection development at both libraries
After one year, be considered fully trained and be prepared to lead large change management projects related to collections

Responsibilities

Coordinates and manages the development of the BookOps member libraries’ English adult collections across 150 physical locations.
Oversees the allocated materials budgets of each library for the adult collections, and makes informed recommendations each year about the allocation of these budgets by audience and material type.
Actively participates in a responsive and flexible model of selection and collection development that reflects the changing needs of the diverse communities served by BookOps’ member libraries, including oversight of multiple lease plans, paperback plans, and approval plans.
Supervises a team of Supervising Librarians in the selection of appropriate materials in their specified areas, and selects materials for adults as required.
Assists the Electronic Resources Coordinator in the evaluation and selection of online resources and digital materials for adults.
Manages multiple, simultaneous projects related to adult collections, often in coordination with other central departments of NYPL and BPL, and in partnership with library branches.
Works collaboratively with colleagues across both library systems to identify and assess collection needs of local populations, and supports branch collection management activities, including ongoing collection assessment and circulation analysis.
Provides ongoing training and support to colleagues on collection development and readers’ advisory as required; and upon request provides consultative information to staff of member libraries’ Marketing, Public Relations, Exhibitions, and similar departments.
Works closely with BookOps Acquisitions in such areas as managing autoship plans and vendor relations, and evaluates new vendors and collections products for both libraries.
Serves on relevant committees.
Maintains a personal program of continuous education and professional development, and assists direct reports in developing such programs for themselves.
Performs related duties as required.

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

ALA-Accredited Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies

Required Experience

5 years of relevant collections work experience
3 years of management experience

Required Skills

Knowledge of current practices and trends in collection management and development, including demonstrated experience with promoting and improving equity, diversity, and inclusion in adult collections.
Knowledge of current major publishers and public library materials vendors, both physical and digital, understanding of current trends in publishing for adults, and experience working with information sources that assist in collection development.
General knowledge of most or all types of print material for adults, as well as deep knowledge of specific genres, audiences, and/or subjects.
Ability to problem solve and make thoughtful decisions in a collaborative and coordinated planning environment, as well as ability to prioritize.
Ability to create and follow through on long-term plans, as well as the ability to make sudden changes to those plans as circumstances change.
Budget management experience.
Strong commitment to adult services and collections.
Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, reliability, and willingness to assume varied duties and assignments.
Experience in training and supervising staff, and ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Experience in book evaluation, such as professional book reviewing or service on relevant professional committees.
Demonstrated flexibility, reliability, punctuality, and attention to detail.

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

This position directly supervises three full-time adult print selectors (Supervising Librarians).

More...

Please Note: Effective August 2, 2021, absent a qualifying exception for medical or religious reasons, newly hired employees of the New York Public Library must present proof of receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination and may not begin employment at the Library until 14 days after their receipt of their second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or 14 days after their first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Newly hired employees who need additional time to receive their vaccination prior to their start date may request an adjournment of their start date with their hiring manager. The Library will consider such requests on a case by case basis, depending upon the Library’s operational needs, among other factors. The Library will further consider exemptions for prospective employees who cannot become vaccinated due to a qualifying medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief or practice. Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment and who seek a medical or religious exemption to the Library’s vaccination policy will be provided with additional instructions at the time of the conditional offer.

Core Values

All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values: