Collection Strategist Librarian at Westat
Rockville, MD
About the Job
Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.
Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.
Job Summary
Westat is seeking an experienced librarian to manage the acquisition, licensing, access, maintenance, and assessment of the library's electronic resources, including databases, journals, e-books, and other digital materials. The individual in this role will have a strong understanding of the full cycle of electronic resources management, as well as experience in vendor relations and in the development and use of evaluative criteria to support licensing and renewal. This position is central to the effective operation of the library and represents an opportunity to rethink and realign workflows for administering electronic resources.
A hybrid work arrangement with 3 days on-site at a Westat office location is preferred, remote work arrangements will be considered. Westat's headquarters is currently in Rockville, Maryland but will be relocating to Bethesda, Maryland in the fall of 2025.
• Advance and implement the library's approach to acquiring and licensing a portfolio of scholarly electronic resources, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, research landscape, copyright and licensing compliance, and budgetary parameters.
• Coordinate the selection, evaluation, and negotiation of electronic resource subscriptions and licenses in collaboration with library staff.
• Monitor trends and advancements in scholarly electronic resource management and recommend collection updates based on researcher needs, usage data, cost-effectiveness, and other relevant criteria.
• Main point of contact for the integrated library system, leveraging its capabilities, and implementing procedures to ensure data integrity. Perform copy cataloging.
• Liaise with vendors, including ensuring seamless access and discovery of library resources.
• Advise leadership on copyright licensing and digital content usage restrictions to ensure compliance.
• Together with the library manager, monitor expenditures as appropriate.
• Supervise, mentor, and grow the capabilities of the team.
• Develop appropriate standards, policies, procedures, and workflows.
• Participate in professional organizations and networks relevant to e-resources librarianship.
• Other special projects, as assigned.
Basic Qualifications
• Master's degree from an American Library Association accredited institution.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience negotiating electronic subscriptions in a library environment.
• Knowledge of cataloging and classification practices and the ability to perform copy cataloging.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to interpret licenses to support stakeholders' understanding of terms and conditions.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills to build relationships with staff and vendors.
• Demonstrated attention to detail needed to document the acquisitions and licensing process.
• Ability to manage time effectively while working on multiple projects.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with the full cycle of library electronic resources management.
• Experience with copyright in a corporate library setting.
• Experience with an integrated library system, GeniePlus preferred.
• Experience with EBSCO Subscription Management.
• Ability to think creatively, problem solve, multitask, and prioritize.
Other Required Qualifications
• Demonstrated writing, communication, collaboration with teams, managers and/or clients
• Experience and skill working with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Organization skills, including time management ability
• Detail oriented
Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:
This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.
#LI-WST1
Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.
Job Summary
Westat is seeking an experienced librarian to manage the acquisition, licensing, access, maintenance, and assessment of the library's electronic resources, including databases, journals, e-books, and other digital materials. The individual in this role will have a strong understanding of the full cycle of electronic resources management, as well as experience in vendor relations and in the development and use of evaluative criteria to support licensing and renewal. This position is central to the effective operation of the library and represents an opportunity to rethink and realign workflows for administering electronic resources.
A hybrid work arrangement with 3 days on-site at a Westat office location is preferred, remote work arrangements will be considered. Westat's headquarters is currently in Rockville, Maryland but will be relocating to Bethesda, Maryland in the fall of 2025.
• Advance and implement the library's approach to acquiring and licensing a portfolio of scholarly electronic resources, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, research landscape, copyright and licensing compliance, and budgetary parameters.
• Coordinate the selection, evaluation, and negotiation of electronic resource subscriptions and licenses in collaboration with library staff.
• Monitor trends and advancements in scholarly electronic resource management and recommend collection updates based on researcher needs, usage data, cost-effectiveness, and other relevant criteria.
• Main point of contact for the integrated library system, leveraging its capabilities, and implementing procedures to ensure data integrity. Perform copy cataloging.
• Liaise with vendors, including ensuring seamless access and discovery of library resources.
• Advise leadership on copyright licensing and digital content usage restrictions to ensure compliance.
• Together with the library manager, monitor expenditures as appropriate.
• Supervise, mentor, and grow the capabilities of the team.
• Develop appropriate standards, policies, procedures, and workflows.
• Participate in professional organizations and networks relevant to e-resources librarianship.
• Other special projects, as assigned.
Basic Qualifications
• Master's degree from an American Library Association accredited institution.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience negotiating electronic subscriptions in a library environment.
• Knowledge of cataloging and classification practices and the ability to perform copy cataloging.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to interpret licenses to support stakeholders' understanding of terms and conditions.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills to build relationships with staff and vendors.
• Demonstrated attention to detail needed to document the acquisitions and licensing process.
• Ability to manage time effectively while working on multiple projects.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with the full cycle of library electronic resources management.
• Experience with copyright in a corporate library setting.
• Experience with an integrated library system, GeniePlus preferred.
• Experience with EBSCO Subscription Management.
• Ability to think creatively, problem solve, multitask, and prioritize.
Other Required Qualifications
• Demonstrated writing, communication, collaboration with teams, managers and/or clients
• Experience and skill working with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Organization skills, including time management ability
• Detail oriented
Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Paid Parental Leave
- Vacation Leave (15 days per year)
- Sick Leave (10 days per year)
- Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays)
- Professional Development
- Health Advocate
- Employee Assistance Program
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Short Term Disability Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Life and AD&D Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Health Savings Account
This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.
#LI-WST1
