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Collection Development Manager, P5, Boston Public Library (Boston)

Position Overview 
Under the direction of the Chief of Collection Management, coordinates all aspects of systemwide collection development, focusing on circulating and general reference collections. 

Provides strong and effective leadership to selectors and subject specialists in the management 
and coordination of the Library’s general collections at all age levels. Creates and implements 
collection guidelines. Provides system-wide leadership regarding all aspects of collection 
development. Supervises Collection Development and Reader Services. Plans and directs use 
of circulating materials budget. 

Reports to 
Chief of Collection Management 

Supervises 
Staff 

Scope of Responsibility 
1. Coordinates and manages all facets of collection development to ensure a comprehensive 
collection that is responsive to the public’s changing needs and interests; supervises the 
overall operating and staff of the department. 
2. Provides direction to Reader Services Department; ensures smooth cooperation between 
Collection Development and Reader Services staff in the selection of material and coverage 
of the New & Novel area. 
3. Works with library staff in assessing public access to materials, including format, location, 
status (i.e. circulating/non-circulating); provides leadership and implements changes and 
improvements to overall collection management. 
4. Plans and directs the use of allocated budgets for circulating and general reference 
collections, tracks spending by location and department, and ensures budget is spent 
consistently throughout the fiscal year. 
5. Works with Business Office and Accounting staff to follow City of Boston procedures, resolve 
issues related to invoices, and set up contracts with vendors. 
6. Creates and analyses collection usage reports; works with selectors and collection 
development staff to use reports in selection and weeding decisions. 
7. Plans and directs the usage of collection analysis software, including system-wide 
implementation and participation. 
8. Creates and monitors collection maintenance goals and standards, works with all locations 
Boston Public Library on effective collection maintenance. 
9. Develops written policies, procedures, and guidelines aligned with the Collection 
Development Policy and the overall collections strategy. 
10. Establishes and maintains relationships with relevant collection vendors; works with 
Cataloging & Processing on ordering, cataloging, and processing standards required of 
vendors. 
11. Researches, creates, and implements new and established practices and tools for selection 
and related activities; provides proactive leadership to organize, train, and implement new 
methods to streamline collection development and improve public service delivery. 
12. Works with Chief of Adult Library Services to evaluate and select electronic content for the 
library. 
13. Works with Cataloging & Processing to coordinate the prioritization of ordering, receiving, 
cataloging, and processing of materials to respond to the needs and interests of library 
users. 
14. Works with department heads and other appropriate staff to maintain consistent Collection 
Development practices. 
15. Establishes and implements procedures for accepting gifts and donations; works with all 
library staff to follow standard procedures for evaluating gifts and donations in accordance 
with the Collection Development Policy. 
16. Works with staff throughout the Library to promote the collections to the Library’s user 
communities 
17. Attends regular internal meetings to update staff on Collection Development practices and 
procedures. 
18. Represents the Library at meetings with regional/MBLN participating libraries, outside 
organizations, statewide initiatives, and vendors, as appropriate. 
19. Analyzes library staff training needs regarding collection development, selection, vendor 
selection/ordering tools and related skills and works with library’s training 
coordinator/committee to develop appropriate staff development/training programs. 
20. In coordination with the Community Learning Manager, creates public training programs on 
collection related topics, works with other collection development and reader services staff 
to provide trainings to public. 
21. Works on public service desk as assigned. 
22. Performs other related and/or comparable duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

Competencies 
• Experience selecting and ordering library materials in a large public service 
organization with a wide range of constituent use from popular reading to scholarly 
research. 
• Demonstrated commitment to reading; dedication to scholarship; appreciation for 
popular culture and societal trends. 
•Thorough knowledge of best practice collection development and related work 
processes. Skilled and knowledgeable readers’ advisor. 
•Proficiency with MSWord, Publisher, Power Point, and Excel. 
• Ability to execute library policy. 
• Ability to plan, train and supervise the work of others. 
• Demonstrates initiative and independent decision making skills. 
• Communicates effectively and presents ideas clearly. 
• Ability to think creatively and innovatively. 
• Identifies, plans, and prioritizes job responsibilities and tasks; determines and 
implements project timelines. 
•Demonstrates flexibility and the ability to adapt to change. 
• Ability to collaborate with library staff, external partners and resources 

Qualifications 
Education—Bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university and a master's degree in 
library and information science from an ALA accredited library school. Relevant subject 
knowledge and/or specialized training required. In exceptional instances, training and/or 
experience may be substituted for part or all of the educational requirements. 
Experience – Seven years of related library experience, including 3 years supervisory experience 
and experience in one or more aspects relevant to collection development and ordering 
materials, or any equivalent combination of education, experience and training sufficient to 
indicate ability to do the work. Demonstrated experience with overall urban library collections 
and current trends in publishing and collection development. Demonstrated experience with 
budget allocation and monitoring. Demonstrated proficiency in standard computer 
applications, spreadsheets, databases, integrated library systems, the Internet, and traditional 
library resources. 
Residency – Must be a resident of the City of Boston upon the first day of hire. 
CORI – Must successfully clear a Criminal Offenders Record Information check with the City of 
Boston.

Full/Part Time

Full Time

Education

MLS/Masters

Salary Range

$85,006.67 - $110,986.24  / year

Closing Date

How to Apply

Apply at Career Center | Boston.gov

Posted

2023-09-07 |  Quick link to this job