Government Publications Librarian and Unit Manager/Regional Depository Coordinator – University of MN Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota Libraries invites applications for a Government Publications Librarian and Unit Manager / Regional Depository Coordinator. This position serves as the Libraries’ subject matter expert for government information, leads the Government Publications Library, and is also the Regional Depository Coordinator.

This is an exciting time for government information as libraries work to expand digital content while preserving our historic depository collection and working to ensure continued public access to the foundational materials of our democracy.  The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) named the University of Minnesota Government Publications Library as the 2021 Federal Depository Library of the Year, highlighting the Library’s support for long-term access and preservation of government information. The Government Publications collection contains one of the largest cataloged United States federal document collections as well as a comprehensive collection of publications from state departments, state extension services, and agricultural experiment stations. Besides being a regional United States government depository, the Libraries also actively maintains documents collections from Canada, the European Union, and the United Nations, as well as publications from other countries and international organizations.

This position is part of the Social Sciences Department (SSD) and reports to the SSD Director. The Government Publications Library, which this position manages, includes four staff who contribute to managing our large government documents collection, supervise student employees, and respond to reference requests. This position, together with their staff, supports and is the primary contact for the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) regional depository system of libraries across Minnesota, South Dakota, and Michigan. This successful three-state regional model connects traditional publications and collection management with technological innovation through its virtual meeting and educational presence and support of collaborative digital government publications projects. In addition to government publications responsibilities, this librarian will also participate in intraorganizational groups that work toward the Libraries’ strategic goals. This librarian is also expected to contribute to the knowledge base of the profession through research, publication, and professional engagement, as they work toward continuous appointment status.

The University of Minnesota Libraries develops and supports innovative services, collections, and partnerships that engage 50,000 students, 4,000 faculty, and 16,000 staff in the pursuit of knowledge. As the state’s only research library, it reaches well beyond campus borders to develop and deliver high-demand services and programs to 5.6 million Minnesota residents, 485,000 alumni, and a global community of scholars. The Libraries’ culture is deeply collaborative and supportive, with a variety of opportunities for mentorship and pursuit of goals. Located in the heart of Minneapolis and St. Paul, the Libraries has a significant presence on the Twin Cities campus, including libraries on the west and east banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, and in St. Paul.

Overall Responsibilities:

• Maintain expertise in government information in order to connect researchers, students, and members of the public to relevant and needed government resources.
• Collaborates with other subject experts within the Libraries to incorporate government information into teaching, learning, and research into their outreach to students, faculty, and the public. Supports ongoing outreach initiatives, such as History Day, where government information is a key resource.
• Provide research consultations and instruction by request to faculty, students, and community members working with government resources.
• Lead strategy, policies, and practices for the Libraries’ extensive government publications collections and services.
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise the work of the Government Publications staff.
• Serve as the Federal Depository Library Program’s Regional Depository Coordinator, consulting with a network of 70 Selective Depositories across Minnesota, South Dakota, and Michigan on their collection management, access, and outreach, ensuring compliance with regulations and policies, and providing education and support to the region’s selectives.
• Build on strong partnerships with other regionals, library consortia and the Government Publishing Office (GPO) to advance new and innovative ways to increase the public’s access to government information.
• Contribute to the goals and strategic initiatives of the Libraries through leadership of and/or active participation in committees.
• Contribute to the profession through research and service.

Salary & Benefits: This is a full-time, 12-month, continuous appointment track, academic professional position with probationary appointment at the Associate Librarian level. The salary range for this position is $69,430 – $75,000.  The Libraries offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits, substantial moving allowance, and possibility for flexible work location arrangements.

Full Job Description
Overview
Subject expert librarians apply their knowledge of academic disciplines, their experience with effective pedagogy, their understanding of research methodologies, and their expertise in library and information science to facilitate teaching, learning and research. They actively engage and collaborate with faculty, students and staff throughout the knowledge lifecycle, from the discovery of information, to its use and sharing, to the development of new knowledge, and finally to the dissemination of new modes of scholarship.

The Regional Depository Librarian serves the federal depository libraries of Minnesota, South Dakota, and Michigan, collaborating with and providing leadership for over 70 selective depositories of all sizes and library types. They build on the University Libraries’ current leadership in creating a successful three-state regional model that connects traditional publication and collection management with technological innovation through its virtual meeting and education presence and support of collaborative digital government publications projects.

Subject Expertise

• Provide expertise across the Libraries and University on government information. Maintain skills and knowledge of specialized government sources, including tools required for access and advanced retrieval skills as needed. Connect scholars and students to government information of all types. Support other subject liaisons in requests that involve government information.
• Provide guidance on active management of data created with government information and help scholars plan for curation of research materials (i.e., data management).
• Participates in professional organizations and seeks development to stay abreast of current methods, trends, resources, and more in government information, and brings that knowledge to the Libraries.

Collection Development

• Build and manage library collections that advance the work of scholars related to government publications, data, and other relevant programs.
• Develop and sustain a long-term strategy for the government publications collection, integrating branch libraries into evaluation decisions, and partnering with GPO to steward local and national collections.
• Maintains a comprehensive understanding of the government publications and data collections across the system, working in coordination with experts in other libraries.

Management and Supervision

• Coordinates overall operational activities of the Regional Depository and Government Publications collections; facilitating relationships with other groups in the Libraries, evaluating needs and processes, addressing staffing requirements, physical plant needs, and the implementation of policies and procedures.
• Provides direct supervision of the government publications unit staff. In consultation with the department director, writes position descriptions, hires, assigns job responsibilities, coaches and mentors, conducts performance evaluations, and facilitates staff development and training opportunities.
• Develops near and long-term goals and objectives that enable the unit to serve the current and future interests of the Libraries and the current and future research, teaching, and learning needs of the academic community within the context of the departmental goals.
• Reviews and evaluates unit structure, procedures, and processes; recommends and coordinates needed changes based on process analysis.
• Ensures implementation of service-wide policies.
• Coordinates unit activities and special projects to ensure quality and met timetables.
• Serve as Government Publications representative to the Social Sciences Department, University Libraries, and University constituents.
• Prepares narrative and statistical reports for the Government Publications Collections and prepares additional documentation on activities and progress as required.
• Prepares recommendations and proposals for long range projections in terms of staffing, space and equipment, and collection facility needs.

Regional Depository Librarian Responsibilities

• Has primary responsibility to ensure the comprehensiveness and integrity of Minnesota, South Dakota, and Michigan depository resources.
• Provide support to the Minnesota, South Dakota, and Michigan selective depositories on all areas of depository librarianship including technical processing, cataloging, collection development, reference and instruction, and requesting or dropping depository status.
• Develops and implements education and training opportunities related to government information research support in all formats, including print, microfiche, CDROMs, data and statistics, and digital products.
• Provides in-depth reference and research services to support selective depository libraries in their use of government information.
• Promotes the Federal Depository Library Program at the local, state, and regional level.
• Builds on strong partnerships with other regionals, library consortia and the Government Publishing Office (GPO) to advance new and innovative ways to increase the public’s access to government information.

The University of Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer

Required:

• American Library Association accredited Master’s degree in Library/Information Science or equivalent combination of advanced degree and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to support, respect, and commit to embracing diverse backgrounds, values, and points of view in order to foster an inclusive community.
• Experience working with United States government information in a research-intensive environment.
• Experience supporting the Federal Depository Library Program, as a selective or regional depository staff member or coordinator.
• Experience with significant project management, staff supervision, and/or a leadership role in an academic library.

Preferred:

• Experience supporting research that uses data, statistical software, and/or coding programs such as R, SPSS, Python, and similar programs.
• Experience with collection management, especially government documents or other similarly distinctive collections.
• Experience working with colleagues from outside one’s own institution to provide services and resources, as part of a consortial, FDLP, or other formal network of libraries.
• Demonstrated involvement in professional activities, including evidence of ability to contribute to librarianship, research, and service as well as capacity for leadership within the profession.

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning.  We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Scholarship
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

HOW TO APPLY:

Position available immediately. Applications will be accepted until filled. Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.
Please attach the following documents in Word or PDF Format:  (DO NOT copy and paste.)

• Resume.
• Cover Letter (identify cover letter with UL449).
• Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three current references.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your “My Activities” page and uploading documents there.  Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University’s Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit:  https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/get-the-vax

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.