Resource Management & Licensing Librarian

How to Apply

To ensure full consideration, applications must include the following in a single document.

• A cover letter describing your interest in the position, your skills, and experience directly relevant to the work of the position
• A resume / CV

Who We Are

The University of Michigan Library is one of the world's largest academic research libraries and serves a vibrant university community that is home to 19 schools and colleges, 100 top-ten graduate programs, and annual research expenditures over $2 billion. To enable the university's world-changing work and to serve the public good, the library collects, preserves, and shares the scholarly and cultural record in all existing and emerging forms, and leads the reinvention of the academic research library in the digital age.

The library encourages all employees to fully incorporate their backgrounds, skills, and life experiences into their work. We champion diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our work engages a broad and diverse community with wide-ranging needs and concerns, and we empower all employees to actively participate in the ongoing process of learning about and responding to these needs. We value the synergy that results from sharing and leveraging our different experiences, backgrounds, skills, talents, and interests to build an environment in which all our community members can flourish. Learn more in the Mission, Vision and Values.

The Library Technical Services department enables discovery and use of library resources in all subjects, languages, and formats. We partner with colleagues across the Library to procure, describe, organize, and mediate materials. The Metadata Services Unit is responsible for maintaining access to electronic resources by resolving outages, managing title transfers and platform migrations, licensing electronic resources, and maintaining vendor administration accounts. Central to these processes is the creation and maintenance of related metadata in the Library Services Platform (LSP) and ticketing systems. Additional responsibilities include the retrieval and analysis of usage data, IP address management, and branding.

Job Summary

The Resource Management Librarian is responsible for the full lifecycle of electronic resource packages, including managing cost distributions, title lists, title and publisher changes, and perpetual-access rights. The Resource Management Librarian coordinates with departmental colleagues to ensure packages are acquired, activated, and managed with the Library Services Platform (LSP). The Resource Management Librarian is also responsible for licensing electronic resources, including negotiating agreements with publishers and vendors, coordinating approvals with U-M Procurement, and addressing licensing questions. They maintain license information in the LSP and are responsible for the library's transformative agreements.

This position reports to the Head, Metadata Services Unit and the Director, Technical Services.  This position provides coordination of various project/program teams with a high degree of independence; it does not include supervisory responsibilities.

Responsibilities*

• ALA-accredited master's degree or an equivalent combination of other relevant advanced degree or undergraduate degree and related equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of the current landscape of electronic resource management and licensing and how it is shaped by technology, challenges, and changes. 
• Experience using online discovery systems, databases, and web resources in a networked environment, preferably with an integrated library system/library management system.  
• Demonstrated experience analyzing complex problems and implementing solutions.
• Demonstrated strong project management skills, specifically organizational, analytical, and planning skills; effective flexibility and adaptability in order to balance multiple assignments and projects.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills encompassing the ability to interact collegially with colleagues, and promote teamwork.

Responsibilities*

• Management of electronic resource packages (50%)
  • Responsible for the management lifecycle for electronic resource packages including shared cost distribution, title changes and tracking, publisher changes, and perpetual access rights management.
  • Responsible for title-list acquisition, normalization, change tracking, and communication; ensure package scope and entitlements are documented and usable by metadata, access, and discovery partners.
  • Coordinate with Metadata Services and Electronic Resources Management units to ensure title list changes are accurately reflected in electronic holdings and knowledge base. 
  • Facilitate the acquisition lifecycle (including the order, renewal, and activation) of electronic resource packages with colleagues across Technical Services.
  • Develop tracking mechanism for the library's open access investments using titles lists and invoices. 
• Licensing of electronic resources acquired for the University Library (40%)
  • Review and negotiate license agreements with publishers and vendors to ensure U-M preferred terms are incorporated. Facilitate authorization of licenses in consultation and coordination with U-M central procurement. 
  • Respond to licensing issues and questions for selectors, E-Chairs, and Collection Coordinators.
  • Maintain and add licenses and licensing resources to the LSP.
  • Responsible for managing the library's transformative agreements. Negotiate the level of access and distribution of costs across agreement types.
• Collaboration and Development (10%)
  • Collaborate with colleagues across the University Library, our consortium, and nationally to identify and improve collections-related processes and workflows, which are data driven and inclusive of new trends and/or technology.
  • Build effective relationships with peers within our consortium and nationally to identify strategic solutions that may benefit the University Library.
  • Attend professional meetings and workshops to monitor changes in standards and practices, with a view of designing implementation strategies at the University Library.
  • Represent the University Library by participating in library, consortia, and national task forces, committees, and special projects.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Work Locations

This position currently allows for an on-site, hybrid or remote work environment. Flexible work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change depending on the business needs of the hiring department, throughout the course of employment. Fully remote work is not applicable to this position. Please see the University of Michigan's Remote Employment Policies and Agreements for more information.

Underfill Statement

This position is posted as an Associate Librarian or Assistant Librarian. Salary and rank are dependent on the candidate's qualifications and experience. The target salary range for this position is $70,000-$80,000 at the Associate Librarian rank and $63,000-70,000 at the Assistant Librarian rank.

Additional Information

The anticipated hire date is January, 2027.

Librarian appointments carry with them increased expectations regarding professional development, professional engagement, research, and service, in keeping with the library's process for librarian promotion and advancement.

The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, generous time off (24 vacation days per year, and 15 days of sick leave per year), matched retirement contributions with immediate vesting, professional development opportunities, and more. TIAA and Fidelity Investments' retirement benefits are available.

This position may be eligible for flexible work opportunities at the discretion of the hiring department. Flexible work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change depending on the business needs of the hiring department, throughout the course of employment.

It is the policy of the University of Michigan to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.  Pursuant to the 2025-2029 UM|LEO-GLAM agreement, each appointing unit will designate an administrative contact ('administrative designee') who is responsible for communicating with the necessary parties about accommodations requests made by employees in that appointing unit on each campus. The Administrative Designee for Library Information Technology is Maria Gonzalez.  They may be reached at 734-764-7196 or [email protected].  For questions about this posting or to request accommodations, please contact [email protected].

Application Deadline

This job posting will be open for at least two weeks. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended. Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.