Acquisitions Librarian

Position Summary: The Acquisitions Librarian's primary responsibility is acquiring library

resources for the Missouri Historical Society's library collections, serving as the library's

collections registrar, working with potential library collection donors, and providing public

reference services to our library's visiting researchers of all types.

Duties/Responsibilities: The Acquisitions Library will oversee the purchase of library materials

and supplies and the renewal of subscriptions; be responsible for finalizing library collection

contracts of gift and maintaining library collection records; take an active role in donor relations;

and work to assess proposed collections with Missouri Historical Society archivists, curators,

collections managers, and registrars. Assists with the library's deaccessioning protocols

including the deposition of deaccessioned and declined library material to other institutions.

Coordinates the incoming and outgoing lending of MOBIUS library materials via OpenRS;

completes ILL requests for scans of library materials to other libraries; and requests ILL articles

and books for museum staff. Creates check and PO requests for payment of invoices. Provides

direct public reference services to visitors in person and via the telephone and email. Pages

library materials and creates photocopies and scans for researchers, as needed. Ensures that

content on library brochures, handouts, websites and other MHS library promotional material is

current and creates Libguides for MHS library resources. Give presentations and provide library

orientations and training to internal and external groups.

Additional duties may include contributing content to institution's publications and social media

outlets, participating in library digitization programs, serving on internal MHS committees and

external MHS partner institutions, and other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited University required. Course work in history, public history,

American studies, or museum studies, highly desirable.

• Minimum 3-5 years of library experience preferably in a research library, historical library, or archive

Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge of library software and management systems. Ability to learn to use, provide

training to co-workers/volunteers/interns, and to troubleshoot specialized library and

museum software and platforms, including but not limited to an open source catalog in a

consortia setting (FOLIO), museum collection management software (Mimsy andAxiell), discovery interface (WorldCat Discovery and EBSCO's Discovery Portal), and

web authoring software (Libguides).

• Excellent speaking and writing skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening): Ability to

comprehend questions and being asked to and respond appropriately at the reference

desk, on the phone, or via email/letter.

• Accuracy and attention to detail, particularly in reference to budgeting (math) and

making distinctions between similar sounding library materials before purchase

(bibliographic knowledge)

• Public speaking and content development: Ability to give tours, develop and deliver

formal and informal presentations in person and remotely

• Ability to learn independently and keep up abreast of relevant information resources

(reference sources and publishing world)

• Ability to supervise volunteers and interns
• Ability to handle historic library materials with the care required for their preservation,

and to move them to and within the library. While performing the duties of this job, the

employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with

hands and arms. The employee occasionally must lift and/or move up to 40 pounds

unassisted.

• Ability to work rotating Saturdays and occasional evenings, required.