Assistant Professor of Practice – Collection Development Librarian - #002825

Assistant Professor of Practice – Collection Development Librarian - #002825

Western Carolina University

Department: Content Org and Mgt, eRes, & Tech

About WCU: Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:
• 2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
• 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.
Position Summary: The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

This is a 12-month fixed-term Assistant Professor of Practice appointment, eligible for reappointment in accordance with university policies. The position reports to the COMET Department Head and works in close collaboration with library units, including Access Services, Research and Instruction Services, and Technical Services, serving as a central point of alignment across these areas. The position coordinates and manages collections, both physical and electronic. They provide an overall vision of the development and management of collections aligned with institutional priorities.

The Collection Development Librarian leads library-wide workflows for the selection and deselection of materials, supporting effective, forward-looking collection management, and ensuring collections remain relevant, sustainable, and responsive to user needs.
This position supports efficient ordering and renewal processes aligned with budget priorities in collaboration with the Acquisitions Librarian and works with Access Services on resource sharing and collection maintenance. They will also work with subject librarians on cooperative collection building. The Collection Development Librarian partners with the eResources Librarian and others to analyze and synthesize data, producing reports and visualizations to inform decision-making and leading assessment projects using tools such as Alma Analytics and Alma's Collection Development module.

Additional responsibilities include driving collection assessment efforts to align with institutional teaching, learning, and research priorities; leading the implementation of systems such as Leganto in collaboration with faculty; contributing to data-informed budget advocacy; and fostering partnerships through regional and consortial initiatives. The position also leads the exploration and piloting of innovative collection development approaches, including open access and OER, evaluates vendor offerings, oversees donation and book sale activities, and ensures effective stewardship of collections through data-driven, user-centered practices.

Review of applicants will begin on or about July 27, 2026 and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, and the ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with various groups of library staff and external colleagues
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in developing academic library collections, including demand-driven acquisitions, evidence-based acquisitions, coordinated collection development, and shared collections
• Familiarity with collection assessment and evaluation across diverse formats, disciplines, and subject areas, including the analysis and interpretation of usage data.
• Demonstrated project management skills

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Library Science or equivalent from an ALA-accredited program
• Minimum of two years working in professional positions in or in relation to academic libraries, academic library consortia, with vendors of library resources, or other related fields

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with vendor platforms
• Experience with Alma and Alma Analytics
• Knowledge of current issues and trends in collection development
• Demonstrated advanced organizational skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, communication (written and oral), time management skills, and project management skills
• Demonstrated experience in accurate and detail-oriented work
• Demonstrated capacity to lead projects and provide forward-looking vision for collection development, assessment, and innovation initiatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge of data analysis and visualization techniques
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with library systems/services including integrated library systems, online catalogs, and indexes/databases
• Demonstrated proficiency with relevant computer software, particularly with Microsoft Office products such as Excel

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants: Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin on or about July 27, 2026 and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.
Please include a cover letter, current resume and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.
For questions or additional information please contact Beth Thompson at bthompson@email.wcu.edu
AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.


To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/34587







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