Job Board

The LPC maintains a list of jobs that incorporate library publishing roles. To be included in this list, the position must be located administratively in a library, or report directly to a library-based supervisor. The primary function(s) of the position must directly engage in the creation, dissemination, and/or curation of scholarly, creative, and/or educational works. Administrative positions that do not directly engage in these functions may be included if they include supervisory responsibility primarily for employees who are performing these functions.

The Library of the University of California, Santa Barbara, seeks an innovative, forward-looking, service-oriented, and collaborative professional for an exciting opportunity to serve as Open Access Collection Strategist. Reporting to the Director of the Collection Strategies Department, the position will be one of a team of three Collection Strategists, three Area Studies librarians, and an Analytics Coordinator. The mission of the Collection Strategies Department is to define and implement strategic approaches that effectively steward the library’s investment in research collections and scholarly content and to increase the impact and reach of the UCSB’s scholarship by actively supporting, innovating, and advancing open and sustainable models for knowledge generation, dissemination, and publishing. The Collection Strategist will work collaboratively and closely with other Library departments, and with campus faculty and students in a highly interdisciplinary research community renowned for its academic excellence and global impact.

The University of California Libraries are recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in advancing Open Access and are well on the way to integrating its open values into collection strategies. As part of the Collection Strategies Department, the incumbent will have the opportunity to contribute to the reshaping of the Library’s strategic approach to open scholarship and to cultivate a culture of assessment for a broader concept of library content that responds to developments in the rapidly evolving Open Access landscape.

The Library is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service. This position is eligible for a flexible work arrangement including a combination of onsite and remote work.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direction of the Director of Collection Strategies, the Open Access Collection Strategist:

  • Evaluates opportunities and makes recommendations for redirecting the Library’s investment in collections to resources with the greatest potential for transforming the system of scholarly communication toward open dissemination of research.
  • Participates in the implementation of innovative models and approaches to collections and content that effectively stewards the Library’s investment in open access collections. Manages the UCSB Open Access (OA) Publishing Fund.
  • Monitors publisher- and vendor-provided information and data to identify open access-related trends and patterns.
  • Implements the Library’s scholarly communication program in collaboration with the Scholarly Communication and Open Access Standing Committee (SCOASC), including outreach, programming, and communication strategy related to monitoring and building awareness of the changes occurring in academic publishing to foster free and open access to research.
  • Participates in UCSB campus outreach activities and informational campaigns to raise awareness of UCSB local open access initiatives and UC-system-wide open access transformative agreements.
  • Leads implementation of an education program for selectors and liaisons on issues of scholarly communication. Advises on how librarians in all subject areas can educate and communicate with their constituencies around specific open access initiatives and publisher agreements.
  • Collaborates on developing an education program for faculty and students regarding scholarly communications issues in a digital academic environment, including open access initiatives, alternative publishing models, and author rights.
  • Gathers input from UCSB faculty and students regarding workflow and implementation of open access initiatives, including UC system-wide agreements. Advocates for UCSB author participation in open access publishing initiatives and transformative agreements.
  • Serves as the main UCSB point of contact for eScholarship related questions.
  • Collaborates on the implementation of the UC Open Access Policies at UCSB.
  • Works with faculty and subject librarians to promote open publishing options through eScholarship, ORCID, and Dryad.
  • Serves as Collection Strategist for specific collecting area(s) of UCSB general research collections, as assigned.
  • Consults with subject librarians on collection development and management decisions.
  • Collaborates on evidence-based collections and content acquisition, management, and assessment across formats and delivery platforms.
  • Participates in developing methodologies that promote best practices in making informed collection development and management decisions and conducts regular content use reviews.
  • Stays informed of national and international trends and developments in scholarly communication, including commercial and academic/research scholarly publishing, and information technologies that affect access and preservation of scholarly information.
  • Represents UCSB on system-wide committees and ad-hoc groups related to collections initiatives. Participates in professional development activities as appropriate to meet both personal needs as well as departmental goals and objectives.

COMPENSATION

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Salary information can be found at https://ap.ucsb.edu/compensation.and.benefits/ucsb.salary.scales/26B.pdf.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

ALA-accredited Master’s in Library or Information Science, OR equivalent degree in a relevant field.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

  • Excellent written communication skills as evidenced by submitted materials including the CV, Cover Letter, and optional but encouraged statement of contributions to diversity; and
  • Demonstrated knowledge of or interest in current, evolving, and innovative models of collection development, open access, and scholarly communication as evidenced by work experience, coursework, or professional development activities.
Preferred qualifications

  • 3 years’ professional experience in an academic environment, scientific or scholarly publishing, or related setting;
  • Strong data analysis skills: proven ability to gather, assess, interpret, and present quantitative and qualitative data for varied audiences;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of technical, legal, and information policy issues related to scholarly publishing and new modes of scholarly communications;
  • Experience providing guidance on scholarly communication;
  • Experience in collection development and management in an academic library;
  • Aptitude for learning and adapting emerging technologies;
  • Demonstrated organizational skills sufficient to balance multiple priorities, deadlines, and changing project parameters;
  • Demonstrated commitment to professional development;
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and to engage with colleagues from diverse backgrounds; and
  • Demonstrated commitment to achieving equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and the community.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Document requirements

  • Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V.
  • Cover Letter
  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity – Statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity through research, teaching, and/or service.
(Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 2-3 required (contact information only)