Job Details

Sam Houston University Libraries has expressly engaged Jack Farrell & Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to find the winning candidate for this important position. Interested parties should email a CV and a 2-page cover letter to Amy Morse (amy@jackfarrell.com). The cover letter should address: 1) why am I interested?, 2) how am I qualified?, and 3) what is my vision for the Acquisitions unit in the Newton Gresham Library? Thank you. JO 202603004

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) and the Newton Gresham Library (NGL) seek an experienced and highly organized Head of Acquisitions to oversee the purchasing and management of all resources – print and digital – that facilitate the study, research and scholarship conducted by members of the SHSU community. The Head of Acquisitions reports to the Director of Technical Services.

Sam Houston State University provides attractive opportunities for individuals pursuing a rewarding and impactful career. The university offers a comprehensive benefits package, competitive salaries, and a flexible work environment that promotes work‑life balance. SHSU prioritizes employee well‑being and job satisfaction and offers professional development opportunities through educational assistance and dependent assistance programs.

SHSU is in Huntsville, Texas, and serves a unique student population of over 21,000. The campus is located 70 miles north of downtown Houston and 170 miles south of Dallas, along the rapidly developing Interstate 45 corridor. It is situated in the beautiful “piney woods,” with proximity to a state park and the national forest for outdoor recreation. Relocation assistance to Huntsville is available.

Executive Summary of Job Functions and Responsibilities:

This is a 12-month tenure‑track faculty position with expectations of librarianship, professional service, and scholarship. The librarianship duties include the following:

• Manage the acquisitions & serials unit of the library which is responsible for purchasing materials for the library collection and managing serials.
• Investigate and manage all new potential acquisitions and oversee an annual acquisitions budget of $3.8mm.
• Coordinate all aspects of resource acquisitions, including overseeing ordering and receiving of library materials in all formats and order types (firm orders, subscriptions, standing orders, and patron driven acquisitions).
• Oversee print serials processes including receiving and binding.
• Directly supervise the Acquisitions Library Associate and the Acquisitions & Serials Library Assistant II and provide functional supervision to other staff as needed.
• Collaborate with library administration and faculty to account for and reconcile the library material's budget with university and library systems used to track the payment of library resources.
• Verify licenses governing the use of continuing resources to meet Texas and University requirements.
• Troubleshoot e-resource access problems related to payment and coverage discrepancies.
• Implement policies and procedures to improve unit and departmental workflows.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

Consults with the Director of Library Technical Services and the University Librarian about budget availability and priorities, prepares and updates the library materials budget throughout the year, and oversees the reconciliation of payments between the integrated library system (ILS) acquisitions system and the university financial system. Requests the transfer of money between university accounts as approved by the Director of Library Technical Services, as needed.

Coordinates all aspects of resource acquisitions, manages the ordering and receiving of library materials in all formats and order types—firm orders, subscriptions, standing orders, patron driven acquisitions—communicates with university budgeting and purchasing offices to ensure timely acquisition and payment for all library resources, and oversees print serials processes including receiving and binding.

Supervises, trains, and evaluates the work of Acquisitions unit staff, a Library Associate for Acquisitions and a Library Assistant II for Acquisitions and Serials; collaborates with Technical Services management team in setting departmental goals, policies, procedures, practices, and workflows; provides unit leadership for completion of projects and goals.

Serves as an Ex Officio member of the Library Collection Development Committee.

Investigates potential subscriptions to or purchases of large e-journal packages, e-books or streaming media subscriptions, and patron-driven acquisition services requested by subject selectors; utilizes vendor subscription management systems and/or communicates with vendors, publishers, and consortia partners to obtain pricing, licensing, accessibility, and other data; places approved orders with vendors.

Acts as a liaison between the library, publishers, vendors, and consortia partners in arranging subscriptions to and renewals of consortia e-journal packages.

Liaises with subject selectors and vendors concerning renewals of serial, e-book and streaming media subscriptions; requests usage statistics from appropriate librarians and staff in Technical Services to inform renewal decisions.

Utilizes the library management system to record information about serial, e-book, and streaming media subscription orders, licenses, payments, format changes, title changes, cessations, and cancellations; monitors perpetual access information for serials.

Coordinates with the Head of Cataloging to select appropriate sources and years of access for e-journals in the holdings management system; oversees and communicates changes and access to title lists of large serials packages.

Assists with troubleshooting e-journal access problems when issues arise from payment discrepancies or coverage and helps with other types of resources as needed.

Participates in professional activities, professional development, scholarly research, and service activities.

Assists with special projects and other duties as assigned by the University Librarian or the Director of Library Technical Services.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited program.
• Commitment to leadership, mentoring, and team development.
• Experience managing organization budgets.
• Experience working with spreadsheets to collect, analyze, and report on data.
• Familiarity communicating with vendors.
• Effective communication, interpersonal, and collaborative skills.
• Ability to manage annual travel of 10-15%.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3 years of experience in a library.
• 2 years of experience in management.
• Experience with Ex Libris Alma.
• Experience with Library Acquisitions.

Deadline for applicants is April 10, 2026.