Job Posting: Collection Development & Acquisitions Librarian, Gordon Library (WPI)
Lori Ostapowicz-Critz
The George C. Gordon Library at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is seeking experienced candidates for a position leading collection development for a community of 7000 undergraduate and graduate students and over 500 research and teaching faculty. We support a uniquely interdisciplinary STEM-focused curriculum, and growing purpose-driven research programs and initiatives that earned WPI an R1 designation in 2025.
The Gordon Library is a vibrant, well-loved interdisciplinary hub for student research and a strong partner to our faculty in their teaching. The library's important services include expansive access to high-quality information, expert guidance for students engaged in unique, fast-paced projects that are one of the hallmarks of WPI's curriculum, and managing modern and beautiful spaces where students meet and work outside of the classroom. The Library is also home to WPI's Archives & Special Collections department, whose collection strengths include the work and world of Charles Dickens, and books and objects related to the history of science and technology.
This position will join the Scholarly Communication and Open Strategies department, a team committed to collaborative, user-centered, and progressive directions in managing a deep portfolio of digital resources and developing modern and effective print and shared print collection strategies. To view the full description or apply, please visit WPI’s career site.
Job Description:
Working collaboratively with colleagues across all library departments, manages the assessment, selection and deselection, and licensing of digital and print resources by formulating, articulating, and managing policies and procedures to develop, shape and balance the Library’s collections to support learning, teaching, and research.
1. Manage collections assessment and development.
- Analyze institutional data, bibliographic data, usage statistics, interlibrary loan data, and other metrics.
- Utilize collection development and assessment tools, such Greenglass, Gold Rush, etc.
- Establish and monitor title selection plans, such as PDA (Patron Driven Acquisitions) and DDA (Demand-Driven Acquisitions).
- Monitor pricing and usage of ejournal packages and databases.
- Respond to requests for information resources made by faculty, student and staff.
2. Oversee collection management and acquisitions procedures and activities.
- Implement and utilize title selection and acquisition tools and software.
- Select and deselect information resources for the general collection, based on current and proposed academic curricula and discipline needs and practices
- Manage and participate in the library's resource acquisitions workflow, including ordering and receiving items and processing invoices.
- Document and train others as needed in use of vendor and library systems to acquire or deselect information resources.
- Participate in shared print initiatives (e.g. EAST)
3. Collaborate with library Research and Instruction team and other library colleagues regularly to ensure WPI community is receiving appropriate level of support for their academic work
- Meet regularly to discuss the library resource needs of faculty, students and other library users.
- Participate in gathering and analyzing community feedback from surveys, interviews, focus groups.
4. Develop planning and budgetary recommendations for the library’s collections
- Allocate and expend the budget in the library management system.
- Monitor and ensure efficient expenditure of the budget in consultation with the University Librarian, Associate Library Director and others.
5. Negotiate pricing and licensing terms for library e-resources
- In collaboration with the Associate Director for Scholarly Communications and Open Strategies, maintain working relationships with library vendors, publishers, and consortia to obtain best possible pricing and terms of use.
- Administer digital licensing procedures and renewals in the integrated library management system.
- Coordinate electronic resource trials.
- Monitor trends in the broader library resources community and scholarly publishing sphere.
6. Administer the Library’s gift in kind program for materials
- Identify and pursue potential gift opportunities
- Select donations for the collection and send unwanted donations to appropriate vendors or organizations for resale, archiving or recycling
- Refer archival and special collections gift and donation offers to the University Archivist.
7. Support institutional compliance with accreditation and external agencies
- Provide data for reports and analyses related to collections development and maintenance as required by university offices and external agencies, including ACRL (Association of College & Research Libraries) and accreditation bodies.
8. Participate in Library, professional, and community engagement
- Participate in providing direct services to library users and customers or providing informed referrals.
- Participate in collaborative library programs and activities including outreach events, strategic and annual planning, and collaborations with university community offices and student groups.
- Participate in and contribute to WPI committees, initiatives, and goals contributing to WPI and library strategic initiatives.
- Engage in and contribute to the profession through continuing learning, service, research, presentations, or professional communications
Required qualifications and experience:
- Master’s degree in Library and Information Science or equivalent graduate degree
- Minimum of two-five years of experience in library collection development
- Minimum of three-five years professional experience in academic libraries
- Knowledge of current issues and trends in library collections development, information delivery and access, electronic and digital resources and related copyright and licensing issues
- Familiarity with current print and electronic acquisitions trends, as well as academic library metadata practices
- Demonstrated operational experience with an online library system, preferably EBSCO FOLIO
- Demonstrated excellent collaboration skills and communication, including written and oral communications
- Evidence of strong skills in: decision making, problem solving, independent action, analytical and critical thinking, project/program or service management;
general office technical skills
Preferred qualifications and experience:
- Familiarity with research and teaching in the STEM fields through education or prior work experience
- Familiarity with open access publishing models
Salary: Anticipated hiring range: $74,000 - $78,000; salary will be based on qualifications and experience.
Location: Worcester, MA (some remote work possible)
This position is open until filled. Anticipated start date is January 2027. To view the full posting and to apply, please visit WPI’s career site.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Lori Ostapowicz-Critz
Associate Director, Scholarly Communication & Open Strategies
Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Gordon Library