What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Professor of Newton Gresham Library (Head of Acquisitions) position at Inside Higher Ed?
Position Title
Assistant Professor of Newton Gresham Library (Head of Acquisitions)
Requisition
202600026F
Rank
Assistant Professor
FLSA Status
Exempt
Hiring Salary
Salary commensurate with education and experience.
Position Type
Full-Time Tenure Track
College
Newton Gresham Library
Department
Newton Gresham Library
Open Date
03/03/2026
Quicklink
https://shsu.peopleadmin.com/postings/46360
Contact Name
Jack Farrell & Associates - Amy Morse
Title
Sam Houston University Libraries has expressly engaged Jack Farrell & Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to find the winning candidate for this important position.
Contact Email
amy@jackfarrell.com
Duties Performed In The Usual Course Of The Job
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) and the Newton Gresham Library (NGL) seek an experienced and highly organized Head of Acquisitions to oversee the purchasing and management of all resources – print and digital – that facilitate the study, research and scholarship conducted by members of the SHSU community. The Head of Acquisitions reports to the Director of Technical Services.
This is a 12-month tenure-track faculty position with expectations of librarianship, professional service, and scholarship. The librarianship duties include the following: Manage the acquisitions & serials unit of the library which is responsible for purchasing materials for the library collection and managing serials. Investigate and manage all new potential acquisitions. Coordinate all aspects of resource acquisitions, including overseeing ordering and receiving of library materials in all formats and order types (firm orders, subscriptions, standing orders, and patron driven acquisitions). Oversee print serial processes including receiving and binding. Directly supervise the Acquisitions Library Associate and Acquisitions & Serials Library Assistant II, and provide functional supervision to other staff as needed.
Collaborate with library administration and faculty to account for and reconcile the library materials budget with university and library systems used to track the payment of library resources. Verify licenses governing the use of continuing resources to meet Texas and University requirements. Troubleshooting e-resource access problems related to payment and coverage discrepancies. Implementation of policies and procedures to improve unit and departmental workflow.
Consults with the Director of Library Technical Services and the University Librarian about budget availability and priorities. Prepares and updates the library materials budget throughout the year. Oversee the reconciliation of payments between the integrated library system (ILS) acquisitions system and the university financial system. Requests the transfer of money between university accounts as approved by the Director of Library Technical Services, as needed. Coordinates all aspects of resource acquisitions, including managing the ordering and receiving of library materials in all formats and order types – firm orders, subscriptions, standing orders, patron driven acquisitions. Communicates with university budgeting and purchasing offices to ensure the timely acquisition and payment for all library resources. Oversees print serials processes including receiving and binding.
Supervises, trains, and evaluates the work of Acquisitions unit staff, a Library Associate for Acquisitions and Library Assistant II for Acquisitions and Serials. Collaborates with Technical Services management team in setting departmental goals, policies, procedures, practices, and workflows. Provides unit leadership for completion of projects and goals. Serves as an Ex Officio member of the Library Collection Development Committee. Investigate potential subscriptions to or purchases of large e-journal packages, e-books or streaming media subscriptions, and patron-driven acquisition services requested by subject selectors. Utilizes vendor subscription management systems and/or communicates with vendors, publishers, and consortia partners to obtain pricing, licensing, accessibility, and other data. Places approved orders with vendors.
Acts as a liaison between the library, publishers, vendors, and consortia partners in arranging subscriptions to and renewals of consortia e-journal packages. Liaises with subject selectors and vendors concerning renewals of serial, e-book, and streaming media subscriptions. Requests usage statistics from appropriate librarians and staff in Technical Services to inform renewal decisions. Utilizes the library management system to record information about serial, e-book, and streaming media subscription orders, licenses, payments, format changes, title changes, cessations, and cancellations. Monitors perpetual access information for serials.
Coordinates with the Head of Cataloging to select appropriate sources and years of access for e-journals in the holdings management system. Oversees and communicates changes in title lists of large serial packages. Assists with troubleshooting e-journal access problems when issues arise from payment or coverage discrepancies and helps with other types of resources as needed. Participates in professional activities, professional development, scholarly research, and service activities as outlined in Academic Policy statement 900417, Faculty Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion. Assists with special projects and other duties as assigned by the University Librarian or the Director of Library Technical Services.
Educational Requirements For The Position
Master’s degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited program
Experience Required For The Position
Supervisory experience; commitment to leadership, mentoring, and team development. Experience managing organization budgets. Experience working with spreadsheets to collect, analyze, and report on data. Familiarity communicating with vendors. Effective communication, interpersonal and collaborative skills.
Special Instructions Summary
Jack Farrell & Associates is assisting the Sam Houston State University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by 04/10/2026.
Further details can be found here: https://jackfarrell.com/job-board/#!/5b9a4a91-7769-4150-a873-a1f21e612a28/detail
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: Amy Morse (amy@jackfarrell.com)
Open Until Filled
Yes
EEO Statement
Sam Houston State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or protected veteran status. The University takes seriously the initiative to ensure equal opportunity in the workforce and to comply with Title VII as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Sam Houston State University is an “at will” employer. Employees with a contract will have additional terms and conditions. Security-sensitive positions at SHSU require background checks in accordance with Education Code
Assistant Professor of Newton Gresham Library (Head of Acquisitions)
Requisition
202600026F
Rank
Assistant Professor
FLSA Status
Exempt
Hiring Salary
Salary commensurate with education and experience.
Position Type
Full-Time Tenure Track
College
Newton Gresham Library
Department
Newton Gresham Library
Open Date
03/03/2026
Quicklink
https://shsu.peopleadmin.com/postings/46360
Contact Name
Jack Farrell & Associates - Amy Morse
Title
Sam Houston University Libraries has expressly engaged Jack Farrell & Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to find the winning candidate for this important position.
Contact Email
amy@jackfarrell.com
Duties Performed In The Usual Course Of The Job
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) and the Newton Gresham Library (NGL) seek an experienced and highly organized Head of Acquisitions to oversee the purchasing and management of all resources – print and digital – that facilitate the study, research and scholarship conducted by members of the SHSU community. The Head of Acquisitions reports to the Director of Technical Services.
This is a 12-month tenure-track faculty position with expectations of librarianship, professional service, and scholarship. The librarianship duties include the following: Manage the acquisitions & serials unit of the library which is responsible for purchasing materials for the library collection and managing serials. Investigate and manage all new potential acquisitions. Coordinate all aspects of resource acquisitions, including overseeing ordering and receiving of library materials in all formats and order types (firm orders, subscriptions, standing orders, and patron driven acquisitions). Oversee print serial processes including receiving and binding. Directly supervise the Acquisitions Library Associate and Acquisitions & Serials Library Assistant II, and provide functional supervision to other staff as needed.
Collaborate with library administration and faculty to account for and reconcile the library materials budget with university and library systems used to track the payment of library resources. Verify licenses governing the use of continuing resources to meet Texas and University requirements. Troubleshooting e-resource access problems related to payment and coverage discrepancies. Implementation of policies and procedures to improve unit and departmental workflow.
Consults with the Director of Library Technical Services and the University Librarian about budget availability and priorities. Prepares and updates the library materials budget throughout the year. Oversee the reconciliation of payments between the integrated library system (ILS) acquisitions system and the university financial system. Requests the transfer of money between university accounts as approved by the Director of Library Technical Services, as needed. Coordinates all aspects of resource acquisitions, including managing the ordering and receiving of library materials in all formats and order types – firm orders, subscriptions, standing orders, patron driven acquisitions. Communicates with university budgeting and purchasing offices to ensure the timely acquisition and payment for all library resources. Oversees print serials processes including receiving and binding.
Supervises, trains, and evaluates the work of Acquisitions unit staff, a Library Associate for Acquisitions and Library Assistant II for Acquisitions and Serials. Collaborates with Technical Services management team in setting departmental goals, policies, procedures, practices, and workflows. Provides unit leadership for completion of projects and goals. Serves as an Ex Officio member of the Library Collection Development Committee. Investigate potential subscriptions to or purchases of large e-journal packages, e-books or streaming media subscriptions, and patron-driven acquisition services requested by subject selectors. Utilizes vendor subscription management systems and/or communicates with vendors, publishers, and consortia partners to obtain pricing, licensing, accessibility, and other data. Places approved orders with vendors.
Acts as a liaison between the library, publishers, vendors, and consortia partners in arranging subscriptions to and renewals of consortia e-journal packages. Liaises with subject selectors and vendors concerning renewals of serial, e-book, and streaming media subscriptions. Requests usage statistics from appropriate librarians and staff in Technical Services to inform renewal decisions. Utilizes the library management system to record information about serial, e-book, and streaming media subscription orders, licenses, payments, format changes, title changes, cessations, and cancellations. Monitors perpetual access information for serials.
Coordinates with the Head of Cataloging to select appropriate sources and years of access for e-journals in the holdings management system. Oversees and communicates changes in title lists of large serial packages. Assists with troubleshooting e-journal access problems when issues arise from payment or coverage discrepancies and helps with other types of resources as needed. Participates in professional activities, professional development, scholarly research, and service activities as outlined in Academic Policy statement 900417, Faculty Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion. Assists with special projects and other duties as assigned by the University Librarian or the Director of Library Technical Services.
Educational Requirements For The Position
Master’s degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited program
Experience Required For The Position
Supervisory experience; commitment to leadership, mentoring, and team development. Experience managing organization budgets. Experience working with spreadsheets to collect, analyze, and report on data. Familiarity communicating with vendors. Effective communication, interpersonal and collaborative skills.
Special Instructions Summary
Jack Farrell & Associates is assisting the Sam Houston State University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by 04/10/2026.
Further details can be found here: https://jackfarrell.com/job-board/#!/5b9a4a91-7769-4150-a873-a1f21e612a28/detail
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: Amy Morse (amy@jackfarrell.com)
Open Until Filled
Yes
EEO Statement
Sam Houston State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or protected veteran status. The University takes seriously the initiative to ensure equal opportunity in the workforce and to comply with Title VII as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Sam Houston State University is an “at will” employer. Employees with a contract will have additional terms and conditions. Security-sensitive positions at SHSU require background checks in accordance with Education Code
- 51.215.