Head, Orders and Continuing Resources at Columbia University Libraries

The Collections Acquisition & Metadata Services Division (CAMS) is eager to recruit a new Head, Orders and Continuing Resources.

Reporting to the Assistant Director, CAMS, the Head, Orders and Continuing Resources will oversee the full lifecycle of library acquisitions for print and audio-visual materials across general and East Asian collections, course reserves, and patron requests. The Head will also oversee library-wide serials acquisitions functions by coordinating with internal teams and suppliers on ordering, payment, check-in, renewals, and cancellations for serials and standing orders.

Additionally, they will administer market purchases for special collections.

Key responsibilities include:

Library Acquisitions & Order Management

• Manage and coordinate daily operations of Order and Continuing Resources Units, including ordering, receiving, payments, claims, cancellations, refunds, and invoice approvals
• Oversee vendor communication and resolve issues related to orders, payments, and P-card reconciliation
• Direct pre-order searching, bibliographic record matching, vendor assignment, and order processing to ensure accuracy and prevent duplication
• Support fiscal year activities, including budget encumbrance, approvals, and reconciliation of order and payment reports
• Assist in all phases of the print acquisitions lifecycle, including approval plan processing and bibliographic record updates. Serve as lead for day-to-day print acquisitions operations in the absence of the Assistant Director

Supervisory & Operational Responsibilities

• Supervise 1 Supervisor and 6 unionized support staff members. Train staff on new and evolving procedures to ensure compliance and efficiency. Assign and review staff work to maintain quality, consistency, and adherence to policies
• Lead hiring, interviewing, performance evaluations, scheduling, and timesheet management.
• Partner with CAMS leadership to manage logistics and improve operational effectiveness.
• Document, implement, and maintain up-to-date procedural guidelines
• Lead the annual cancellation and renewal process, including communicating deadlines and required actions to stakeholders
• Oversee print subscription management during end-of-fiscal-year (EOFY) rollover
• Collaborate with Electronic Resource Management staff to manage print and electronic resource access, licensing, and invoicing
• Partner with Library Finance and Acquisitions & Accounting Services to establish new vendors and resolve vendor-related issues

Professional Engagement & Service

• Participate in internal library committees related to acquisitions, collection development, budgeting, and technical services
• Engage in ongoing professional development, including leadership training and skill-building opportunities
• Contribute to national and international collaborations, committees, and initiatives focused on technical services and library operations

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Library Science (MLS) or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated experience with spreadsheets, databases, the Microsoft Office suite, and Google Workspace
• Knowledge of publishing, acquisitions and supervisory concepts
• Working knowledge of at least one European language
• Basic accounting skills

Preferred:

• Experienced accounting and financial skills
• Knowledge of bibliographic utilities, library systems and the management and receipt of vendor records
• Knowledge of the international book trade
• Familiarity with principles of office management with supervisory experience