Job Description

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range
• Benefits
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• Job Classification: Full time salaried staff
• Grade Level: 9

BASIC FUNCTION

As a key member of a collaborative and dynamic team at SAIC's Library + Special Collections, the Head of Collection Management provides strategic leadership and oversight of library acquisitions, cataloging, classification, and processing of general collections, as well as materials within SAIC’s Special Collections. This role also encompasses overall collection management, ensuring seamless discovery and accessibility of library resources by effective implementation of library systems and cataloging practices. Works especially close with the Flaxman Library’s Head of Special Collections + Digital Services and Head of Research + Access Services to ensure access to all resources and services. Responsible for assigning and directing the work of the Collection Management team.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership:

• Responsible for day-to-day management and oversight of all areas of Flaxman Library Collection Management, including acquisitions, processing, collection development, organization, description, and cataloging.
• Responsible for assigning the work of the Collection Management team based on judgment relating to work priorities, workstreams, and skills needed. Uses discretion to organize and monitor work processes, resolves operational issues, and suggests new procedures.
• Develops, directs, and assesses the work of the Flaxman Library Collection Management team.
• Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates the Library’s Collection Management team, including supervising all positions as listed above.
• Responsible for day-to-day enforcement of all policies and procedures; communicates updated job expectations and policies to employees listed below and acts as liaison to senior management for employee complaints and initiatives; uses discretion to organize and monitor work processes, resolve operational issues, and implement new procedures.
• Collaborates with colleagues throughout the Library + Special Collections and across campus to optimize the user experience in relation to the Library’s collections.
• In collaboration with the Library Collection Management team develops and maintains internal and external communications and statistical data
• Serves on internal and external committees or projects; and represents the Flaxman Library throughout the library and special collections communities, maintaining strong working relationships with colleagues at other specialized collections.
• Plays an essential role in library-wide planning, policy development, and assessment.

Collection Development + Management:

• Oversee acquisition and cataloging for all general collections including print, born-digital, electronic resources, media, and other formats
• Maintain and refine authority files for subject and name entries while advising staff on cataloging and metadata best practices.
• Performs administration of the discovery interface and other relevant systems.
• Creates, adapts, and implements innovative cataloging protocols to ensure discoverability in library catalog and other platforms.
• Assesses, analyzes, adapts, and responds to trends in publishing, pricing, scholarly communication, and the changing information needs of students and faculty. Conduct collection analysis and usage studies to inform planning and operations.
• Oversight of the timely, cost-effective acquisition and description of resources to support and enrich the School’s curriculum
• Collaborate with consortium partners to maintain high standards in cataloging and collection management.
• Utilize data analysis to assess collection effectiveness, inform decision-making, and improve work outcomes.

Teaching + Learning:

• Advises, coordinates, and collaborates with Library + Special Collections staff to develop, maintain, and assess the library collections to optimize and promote teaching, learning, and research activities on campus.
• Serves as library liaison to one or more curricular departments or programs at SAIC, and provides a broad range of research and instructional services.
• Proactively engages and contributes to the Library’s goal to advance student learning and enrich the research environment at SAIC.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Master's degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited school or another relevant
  degree with listed required experience required;
• Minimum 4 or more years of professional experience in collection management or cataloging in a library setting, including at least one year of supervisory experience required;
• Significant and progressively responsible experience in a similar position at an academic or research library is required; experience at an independent, non-profit school of art or design strongly preferred;
• Demonstrable knowledge of current issues and best practices for Acquisitions, Cataloging, Metadata, Classification, and Discovery of physical and digital resources in a wide range of media required;
• Experience with original cataloging and creating records for unique collections in a variety of formats is required;
• Familiarity with MarcEdit, OCLC Connexion, OCLC WorldShare Collection Manager, Alma/Primo, OpenAthens, and Worldcat required. Some knowledge of Isandora and Born-Digital preferred;
• Broad knowledge of current library systems and technologies utilized in the assigned areas of responsibility required;
• Experience working in a large-scale bibliographic consortium preferred;
• Ability to work effectively as a team leader, as well as a team member;
• Commitment to the educational mission of the School and demonstrated knowledge of the principles of accessibility, diversity, and inclusion; the ability to work well with diverse populations; and demonstrated level of cultural competence.

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at [email protected].

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