The University of Tennessee, a research one institution and the flagship institution for the state, is seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to join the collaborative and innovative Acquisitions & Continuing Resources team at the University Libraries. UTK is located in Knoxville, a vibrant city in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in east Tennessee. The city, population 187,000, is the third largest city in Tennessee. Knoxville’s metro area (population 850,000), and the surrounding region offer a variety of recreational opportunities and affordable cost-of-living.

Reporting to the Head, Acquisitions & Continuing Resources (ACR), the Electronic Resources Librarian works as a member of a collaborative team where innovative thinking and creative problem solving are highly valued. This position leads and manages the Resource Management unit within ACR, which is responsible for managing the lifecycle of the Libraries’ electronic resources and serials, including renewing, licensing, preserving, activation, and troubleshooting. The Electronic Resources Librarian plays a critical role in the development, implementation, and evolution of strategies and workflows relating to the acquisitions and management of electronic resources and serials for successful research and learning. This position requires a thorough understanding of and experience in all aspects of acquiring, evaluating, incorporating, and supporting ongoing access to electronic resources and serials.

Specific Duties: 

• Provides direction and expertise related to establishing and maintaining access to electronic resources including coordinating work with database providers, vendors, and publishers to enable access, resolve problems, manage technical changes, and respond to end-users’ issues with electronic resources in a timely manner

• Guides the Libraries in developing and maintaining awareness of emerging technologies, standards, and technical issues relating to the usage of electronic resources

• Recommends and implements new initiatives for managing and processing electronic resources

• Plays a significant role in the accessibility and license negotiation team

• Coordinates serials renewals through the Libraries’ subscription agent

• Serves as a member of the interdepartmental collections assessment team by providing qualitative and quantitative data about electronic resources and serials

• Works collaboratively to resolve complex issues related to access, including breaches of contracts

• Provides leadership to Acquisitions & Continuing Resources staff through professional development, mentoring, and coaching, and supervises 5 full-time employees in the Resource Management unit

• Works collaboratively and effectively with various stakeholders within the Libraries, such as a subject liaison and collections advisory groups, as well as the campus community in support of the Libraries’ strategic plan and overall mission

Research, Scholarship, Creative Activity, and Service:

• Engages in scholarly activity through publications and presentations

• Participates in professional activities associated with job functions and research interests

• Serves on library, university, and professional committees

• Serves the library profession through involvement in professional organizations and through cooperative efforts with other information professionals

ENVIRONMENT

The University of Tennessee Libraries serves the flagship campus of Tennessee’s premier public research university. The University of Tennessee holds the Carnegie Foundation Research 1 designation, granted to doctoral universities with very high research activity.  As a land-grant university and as Volunteers, serving our state and nation are key to our mission. UT enrolls approximately 30,000 students at its Knoxville campus.  Demographically, 24% of all students identify as non-white, 24% identify as first-generation students and 29% are Pell-eligible. The University culture is guided by adherence to core values that define the Volunteer spirit and include: seeking knowledge; leading with innovation and integrity; advancing diversity and inclusion; engaging locally and globally; and embracing responsible stewardship of resources.

 The UT Libraries supports the teaching, research, and service mission of the university and enhances the academic experience of each student at the Knoxville campus—through outstanding print and electronic collections, reference and instructional services, and top-notch facilities and technological resources. The John C. Hodges Library in the heart of campus houses the majority of the UT Libraries' collections and many unique services. Two branch libraries offer specialized collections and services: the Webster C. Pendergrass Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine Library and the George F. DeVine Music Library.

 The UT Libraries is a national leader in digital collections; in support of open access though our digital repository, Trace; and through a rich history of designing innovative spaces and building key partnerships that enhance the teaching/learning enterprise. The UT Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, HathiTrust, the Library Publishing Coalition, LYRASIS, and the Center for Research Libraries. The UT Libraries collaborates actively at the state level with the other University of Tennessee System libraries as well as the libraries in the Tennessee Board of Regents system.

The UT Libraries champions diversity in collections and staffing. The University of Tennessee is committed to creating a welcoming environment. More information about how we put our principles of civility and community into action is available at https://www.lib.utk.edu/diversity/.

Additional information about this position and the UT community is available at https://www.lib.utk.edu/employment/position/electronic-resources-librarian/

BENEFITS

Appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor with a salary of $52,000.  Faculty rank and status; twelve-month, tenure-track appointment.  Library faculty must meet University requirements for promotion and tenure.

Excellent benefits include 24 annual leave days; choice of state retirement plan (TCRS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) (VOYA, TIAA, VALIC) with nonrefundable contributions paid for the employee by the University; optional group health and life insurance plans.  Tuition remission is available for all university employees and partial undergraduate tuition remission is available to dependent children and spouses of UT employees. Start-up funding in the amount of $10,000 allocated over a three-year period; annual support for travel & professional development.

 UT’s Prospective Faculty Viewbook has information on academic support, personal support, and living in Knoxville.

Required Qualifications:

• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library/Information Science or equivalent degree in relevant discipline

• Evidence of commitment to diversity and inclusion in a higher education setting

• Recent experience in an academic or research library setting, working with electronic resources management

• Knowledge of trends and issues with electronic resources, vendors, packages, aggregators, platforms, licensing, acquisition models, and a commitment to keep current with changes

• Demonstrated interpersonal, communication, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills

• Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and ability to work creatively and effectively both independently and as a team member

• Evidence of leadership and management skills

• Evidence of ability to engage in research, publication, and service consonant with the University’s and Libraries’ guidelines for promotion and tenure 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with ExLibris products

• Experience reading, negotiating, and managing license agreements

• Knowledge of copyright, intellectual property, and fair use as they pertain to licensing electronic resources

• Knowledge of accessibility standards for electronic resources

• Knowledge of electronic resources and serials cataloging and descriptive standards

• Experience using electronic resources tools such as OpenURL resolvers, proxy systems and knowledge bases

• Demonstrated experience with Excel, Access, PowerBI, or other data analysis and visualization tools

• Experience working with and maintaining positive relationships with vendors

• Demonstrated record of publication and professional contribution

A background check and official transcripts are required prior to hiring.  In order to be considered for candidacy, you must submit, via Interfolio, a cover letter addressing the above qualifications, a current resume or CV, and the names, addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three recent references. Questions may be directed to Elizabeth Greene, Executive Director, Libraries Administration and Human Resources, ejgreene@utk.edu. Review of applications will begin May 3, 2021, and will continue until the position is filled. Interviews will be held using protocols in place at the time for social distancing.