Collection Strategies Librarian

Job no: 554689

Work type: Non-Instructional Faculty (Coach/Counselor/Librarian)

Location: Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo Campus

The Library is seeking a collaborative, forward‑thinking, and analytical Collection Strategies Librarian to provide leadership for evidence‑based collection development, assessment, and strategic resource management in alignment with Cal Poly’s “Learn by Doing” philosophy. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Collections, Systems, and Digital Strategy, this position supports the university’s teaching, learning, and research missions by guiding the ongoing evolution of library collections in response to changes in scholarly publishing, licensing and access models, technology‑mediated discovery, and user needs.

By integrating established best practices with emerging approaches, the Collection Strategies Librarian contributes to building sustainable, well‑balanced collections that prioritize bibliodiversity and equitable access in the global information landscape. This position will leverage data, emerging technologies (e.g. artificial intelligence and machine learning), and evolving publishing models to build dynamic collections that support a broad range of academic disciplines, research methods, and scholarly outputs.

• Investigate and analyze new and emerging models for collection development such as transformative agreements, Affordable Learning Solutions, demand‑or evidence‑based acquisition, open educational resources and shared collection initiatives.
• Collaborate with library colleagues to provide data‑driven insights for collection management (e.g. COUNTER reports, dashboards, visualizations, or other communication tools) to support transparency and shared understanding of collection decisions.
• Lead and coordinate collection development strategies across subject areas in collaboration with selectors, ensuring that the library’s evidence‑based approach includes quantitative and qualitative assessments of how well collections serve diverse curricular and research needs.
• Work with subject experts to ensure that historically marginalized voices, international perspectives, and non‑traditional scholarly outputs are represented alongside mainstream commercial publishing.
• Investigate and analyze how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, are influencing scholarly publishing and collection management practices, with attention to social and environmental responsibility, transparency, accessibility, privacy, and data quality.
• Participate in library‑wide planning and strategic initiatives that shape the long‑term direction of collections and resource stewardship.

• Engage in an active program of scholarship, research, or creative work, including externally validated presentations and publications.
• Participate in regional, national, or international professional organizations, conferences, workshops, and communities of practice.
• Contribute to the knowledge base of the profession, particularly within areas of specialized expertise.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to remain responsive to changes in higher education, publishing, and information systems.

• Participate in library, university, and/or CSU system‑wide committees, task forces, and working groups related to professional expertise and needs of the library.
• Contribute to shared governance through participation in university‑wide faculty governance bodies, standing committees, or councils.
• Participate in other professional service such as committee work, peer review, mentoring, or leadership roles in regional, national, and/or international professional organizations.

• ALA‑accredited Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science, or comparable experience with a relevant advanced degree, at the time of appointment.
• Three years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in collection development, collection analysis, acquisitions, or related collections strategy work in an academic or research library.
• Familiarity with current and evolving scholarly resource acquisition…