Acquisitions Analyst, Libraries - UTK

This position is responsible for the analyzing, tracking, and managing of a variety of data used in the library acquisitions process in order to make informed acquisition decisions. These decisions include the tracking and claiming of library collections materials that do not arrive in a timely fashion; analyzing a vendor’s performance to ensure that library collections funds are being used wisely and suggesting alternate vendors when needed; and assessing acquisitions activities for data integrity and efficient and effective use of systems.

The Acquisitions Analyst also specializes in ordering streaming videos, tracking orders across various vendors and acquisitions purchase models, and assessing the best match for each streaming video purchase. 

The employee holding this position will have responsibilities in the Resource Acquisitions unit within the Acquisitions and Continuing Resources Department. This department provides access to library collection materials that are critical to the teaching, learning and research missions of the university and its multiple sub components.

Data Collection, Management, Analysis, and Reporting

• Oversees the management and analysis of acquisitions data. This includes data contained and analyzed in a variety of systems: the library’s library service platform, Alma, and its analysis system, Alma Analytics; systems run by third-party providers and subscription agents, such as GOBI, EBSCO, Harrassowitz; and systems provided by other vendors.

• Investigates and determines the best way to resolve complex data management and automation issues with data harvested from a variety of sources

• Identifies and resolves errors in the data and data collection processes and initiates and performs data audits to maintain data integrity.

• Performs data analysis using modeling methods to answer questions about the timeliness, success rates, and availability of vendors that supply library collection materials

• Identifies appropriate data points for evaluations with little guidance

• Organizes results and findings into reports that can be used to resolve issues, answer questions, and make decisions related to the acquisition of library collection materials

• Plans, designs, and produces customized reports from a variety of data sources for a variety of needs

Acquisitions

• Researches, evaluates and determines the best options for acquiring materials. 

• Advises faculty and staff members in the selection and acquisition of materials.

• Serves as an expert in the acquisition of films for the library collection

• Processes film requests from the Libraries’ selectors as well as OIT’s Digital Media Services

• Initiates purchase requisitions, assigns appropriate funds, and tracks and secures library collection materials through the acquisition process. 

• Applies university fiscal and purchasing policies and library standards when purchasing collections materials.

• Communicates with vendors and resolves problems related to the acquisition of materials.

• Tracks film orders across various vendors and acquisitions purchase models

• Resolves complex acquisitions problems identified via reporting and analysis, such as non-arrival and claiming of materials

Communication and Project Management

• Develops and maintains two-way communication with vendors for troubleshooting issues, keeping abreast of changing standards and procedures, and ascertaining necessary information in a timely manner related to data.

• Creates and updates process and procedural documentation for all work

• Develops and/or manages individual projects as necessary, which includes planning, creating project timelines, coordinating across departments, managing progress, and communicating results

• Assists with staff training

• Must complete 1 - 3 hours of professional development training per month.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Experience: 1 year of relevant experience performing tasks related to data management or analysis

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Ability to retrieve, store, and work with many different types of data, from many different systems

• Knowledge of data management best practices
• Experience with tools for working with data, such as Excel, OpenRefine, Python, or R
• Experience using Web APIs for working with data
• Ability to write queries to extract and gather data
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of people, both orally and in writing, including the ability to present technical information to non-technical stakeholders
• Strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated analytica