How to Be Acquisitions Librarian - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 4, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The role of an Acquisitions Librarian is to acquire library materials, such as books, periodicals, and other media, for a library collection. This is a crucial role, as it is the Acquisitions Librarian that is responsible for bringing new materials into the library and making them accessible to library patrons. By having a wide variety of materials available, patrons are able to find the information they need and stay up-to-date on the latest topics.

Furthermore, the Acquisitions Librarian plays an important role in budgeting and controlling costs. They must ensure that the library maintains a high quality collection that meets the needs of its patrons, while also staying within budget restrictions. Without the Acquisitions Librarian, libraries would be unable to keep up with new advancements in technology and research, and their patrons would be missing out on valuable resources.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a bachelor's degree in library science or a related field. Common majors include information science, history, communications, or English.
Participate in an internship or volunteer at a library to gain experience.
Pursue a masters degree in library and information science. Programs typically cover topics related to management, technology, and research.
Obtain a Certified Public Library Administrator (CPLA) certification from the American Library Association (ALA).
Consider working as a librarian for a few years to gain experience in managing library collections and acquisitions.
Develop strong research skills to effectively search for materials.
Develop strong organizational skills and be familiar with cataloguing systems and acquisitions processes.
Develop strong communication skills and be able to negotiate with vendors.
Obtain a job as an acquisitions librarian. Many libraries have an acquisitions librarian on staff, but positions may also exist in academic settings or with private companies.

In order to stay qualified and ahead as an Acquisitions Librarian, it is important to have a strong knowledge of the latest library technologies, as well as the ability to research and keep up to date on the most recent developments in the library field. Additionally, it is important to stay abreast of changes in the publishing industry, and be familiar with copyright laws and other regulations that govern the acquisition and use of library materials. Furthermore, having good communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for an Acquisitions Librarian in order to effectively negotiate contracts and interact with vendors, publishers, and other library staff. Finally, the ability to think analytically and critically and find creative solutions to problems is a key factor in staying ahead and qualified as an Acquisitions Librarian.

You may want to check Library Development Officer, Database Librarian, and Digital Services Librarian for alternative.

Job Description

Collection Development and Management Librarian
Digital Resources and Services Librarian
Electronic Resources Management Librarian
Metadata and Cataloging Librarian
Scholarly Communications Librarian
Library Reference and Instruction Librarian
Systems and Data Analysis Librarian
Library Instruction Coordinator
Library Outreach Coordinator
Records Management and Archival Librarian
Library Security and Access Services Manager
Library Technical Services Manager

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of library acquisition and cataloging processes
Excellent organizational skills
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Knowledge of current trends in library acquisitions
Knowledge of library budgets and spending
Knowledge of library databases and digital resources
Familiarity with library vendors and suppliers
Knowledge of copyright laws
Ability to prioritize tasks
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to effectively negotiate and manage contracts
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other software applications

A successful acquisitions librarian must possess a broad range of skills and abilities to effectively manage the acquisition process. One of the most important skills for an acquisitions librarian is the ability to effectively communicate and negotiate with vendors. This includes the ability to find the best deals in terms of price and quality, as well as being able to create relationships with vendors that can last for years.

They must also be able to determine the best way to acquire materials for their library, which may include using online resources, visiting bookstores, and attending trade shows. The acquisitions librarian must also have strong organizational skills in order to be able to track and manage their acquisitions, as well as staying up to date on library trends. Finally, they must have the ability to handle a variety of tasks such as budgeting, creating policies, and managing staff.

All of these skills are necessary for a successful acquisitions librarian and are essential for creating a well-rounded library collection.

Youth Services Librarian, Library Intern, and Research and Instructional Design Specialist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in acquisitions and cataloging?
What challenges have you faced when managing the acquisitions process?
How do you keep up to date with changes in library acquisitions and cataloging?
What strategies do you use to ensure that the library has the latest and best materials?
Describe your experience with vendor negotiations and contracts.
How do you handle difficult vendor requests or disputes?
What methods do you use to evaluate and select materials for the library collection?
How do you prioritize resources when the budget is limited?
How have you used technology to streamline library acquisitions processes?
What strategies have you implemented to increase user access to library materials?

Common Tools in Industry

Reference Management Software. Software to store and organize references for research, such as EndNote or Zotero (e. g. create bibliographies).
Content Management Systems. Software for managing digital content, such as Drupal or WordPress (e. g. create digital collections).
Library Catalogs. System for organizing and providing access to library resources, such as Koha or Evergreen (e. g. search library collections).
Digital Preservation Tools. Software for preserving digital objects, such as Archivematica or Preservica (e. g. preserve digital collections).
Metadata Tools. Software for creating and managing metadata, such as OMEKA or MODS (e. g. manage collection descriptions).
Analytics Platforms. Software for tracking usage and performance data, such as Google Analytics or Tableau (e. g. analyze patron usage).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Library Association (ALA)
Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE)
Special Libraries Association (SLA)
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)
Medical Library Association (MLA)
Music Library Association (MLA)
Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA)
Association of Research Libraries (ARL)
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
Society of American Archivists (SAA)

We also have Library Page, Technical Support Specialist, and Copyright Analyst jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Collection Development. The process of assessing, selecting, and acquiring library materials to meet the needs of a library's user community.
Cataloging. The process of creating and maintaining a library's catalog of items, which includes assigning uniform resource identifiers (URIs) and subject headings.
Metadata. Data that describes and provides information about other data.
Preservation. The process of maintaining library materials in their original condition for future use.
Digitization. The process of converting physical materials into digital formats to make them more accessible.
Copyright. The legal right to control how a creative work is used and distributed.
Open Access. Providing free online access to scholarly works, such as journal articles, book chapters, and other educational resources.
Library Instruction. Teaching library users how to effectively use library resources and services.
Reference Services. Providing assistance to library users in finding information or locating library materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an Acquisitions Librarian do?

An Acquisitions Librarian is responsible for acquiring library materials such as books, periodicals, and digital media. They select, order, and process library materials, oversee budgets, and manage vendor relationships.

What qualifications are needed to become an Acquisitions Librarian?

To become an Acquisitions Librarian, one usually needs at least a Master's degree in Library Science or a related field. In addition, experience in library acquisitions, budget management, and vendor relations is usually required.

How much does an Acquisitions Librarian typically earn?

According to PayScale.com, the average salary for an Acquisitions Librarian is $53,743 per year. Salaries may range from $39,000 to $72,000 depending on experience and location.

What technology is used by Acquisitions Librarians?

Acquisitions Librarians use a variety of technology tools such as library catalogs, online databases, e-commerce platforms for ordering, and accounting software to manage budgets.

What are the job responsibilities of an Acquisitions Librarian?

The job responsibilities of an Acquisitions Librarian include selecting and ordering library materials, processing orders, overseeing budgets, managing vendor relationships, monitoring spending, and tracking materials.

Web Resources

Electronic Resources Acquisitions Librarian | UC Irvine Libraries www.lib.uci.edu
Acquisitions Librarian Deerfield Academy deerfield.edu
Acquisitions Department | Stanford Libraries library.stanford.edu