Position Title:

Head, Resource Sharing and Access

Position Description:

This position is located in the Smithsonian Institution (SI), Smithsonian Libraries and Archives’ (SLA) Division of Discovery Services, Resource Sharing and Access Department and reports to the Assistant Director, Discovery Services.

Do you love working with access, circulation, and interlibrary loan services? Are you excited about the opportunity to provide research materials to curators, educators, and researchers across the Smithsonian? Do you want to work at the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex? The Smithsonian Libraries and Archives has a management opportunity to lead the newly formed Resource Sharing and Access Department. Join our team in Discovery Services to develop creative workflows, open up access to rare and unique collections for the world, and collaborate on strategic projects that strengthen and share the Institution’s mission and research.

Responsibilities:

The incumbent works closely with Collections, Discovery Services, and Research Services colleagues to support the research lifecycle and needs, and sets policies and practices for access, circulation, and use of digital and print collection materials in the Libraries. The incumbent provides leadership and priority setting for training and execution of work that crosses divisions within the Libraries, to provide outstanding, responsive customer service.

This position serves on the Discovery Services management team and works with colleagues to increase access and use of collections and research works. The incumbent establishes innovative policies and workflows that open up collections and unique resources to further advance scholarship and research. This includes the dissemination of research materials through established and new venues, experimenting with new access and resource sharing tools, and collaborating with colleagues to lead the Libraries’ involvement with strategic projects on a regional, national, and international level. The Librarian plays a strategic role in connecting collections and resources to the Institution's research community, along with sharing resources reciprocally with partner universities, institutions and the public library systems who serve the American public.

Key duties of this position are:

• Develop, support, and supervise five staff that are responsible for the day-to-day interlibrary loan work and the daily delivery of collection materials to SLA’s branches.
• Manage and lead the resource sharing operations.
• Manage patron account data and associated practices around confidentiality, privacy, and authentication.
• Manage circulation, which could include setting workflows, policy, and standards for circulating materials.
• Work with the Finance and Administrative department, Research Services branch staff, Collections, and Acquisitions to manage missing materials, patron management, and fulfillment.
• Demonstrate the value and impact of expertly managed collection access within the SLA Libraries and the Institution and in the national and international library profession.
• Guide colleagues on issues and best practices regarding circulation, borrowing, lending and delivery.

General Information:

The Division’s mission is to support the Increase and Diffusion of Knowledge through the procurement and acquisitions, collections growth and refinement, discoverability, and access of research materials. The Division provides impactful, timely services in support of the One Smithsonian/Digital First initiative, education, research, and general operations of the Institution, while practicing and promoting ethical, anti-racist, and inclusive practices and descriptive work.

The Discovery Services Division aspires to be a collaborative and representative group that provides practical and creative solutions and services that proactively meets our educators, researchers, and scholars where they are. We will honor our staff with growth opportunities at all levels, constantly evaluate our modeling of anti-racist and inclusive practices and create space for honest discussions around successes and challenges.

By working at the Smithsonian, you make an important contribution to an Institution loved by the American public and visitors from around the world. The Smithsonian is the guardian of some of the nation’s most valuable scientific, historic and artistic treasures and is a leader in research, innovation and discovery. We offer our visitors a unique, inspiring experience and we offer those who work here a chance to make a difference in the cultural life of our nation. The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in “The Increase and Diffusion of Knowledge."

Application Process:

Please be sure to include transcripts (official transcripts must be provided if selected for the position) and to create a detailed resume in the USAJOBS Resume Builder. Email with any questions – khaterp@si.edu.

For the complete posting and application instructions, see usajobs.gov at:

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/654630100 - DEU

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/654631200 - MPA

Deadline:

The job postings will be open on for 14 days, starting May 17, 2022 and will close on May 30, 2022. The complete announcement and application instructions are on USAJOBS. Applicants are required to attach official transcripts and to submit a resume created in USAJOBs to be eligible for consideration. For general information about working at the Smithsonian, visit https://www.si.edu/OHR/workingsi. Review health and leave benefits at https://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits. To learn more about the Libraries visit https://library.si.edu/about-us. Contact Polly Khater, Assistant Director for Discovery Services, at khaterp@si.edu, with any questions.