Acquisitions Librarian

Position Summary: The Acquisitions Librarian’s primary responsibility is acquiring library
resources for the Missouri Historical Society’s library collections, serving as the library’s
collections registrar, working with potential library collection donors, and providing public
reference services to our library’s visiting researchers of all types.

Duties/Responsibilities: The Acquisitions Library will oversee the purchase of library materials
and supplies and the renewal of subscriptions; be responsible for finalizing library collection
contracts of gift and maintaining library collection records; take an active role in donor relations;
and work to assess proposed collections with Missouri Historical Society archivists, curators,
collections managers, and registrars. Assists with the library’s deaccessioning protocols
including the deposition of deaccessioned and declined library material to other institutions.
Coordinates the incoming and outgoing lending of MOBIUS library materials via OpenRS;
completes ILL requests for scans of library materials to other libraries; and requests ILL articles
and books for museum staff. Creates check and PO requests for payment of invoices. Provides
direct public reference services to visitors in person and via the telephone and email. Pages
library materials and creates photocopies and scans for researchers, as needed. Ensures that
content on library brochures, handouts, websites and other MHS library promotional material is
current and creates Libguides for MHS library resources. Give presentations and provide library
orientations and training to internal and external groups.

Additional duties may include contributing content to institution’s publications and social media
outlets, participating in library digitization programs, serving on internal MHS committees and
external MHS partner institutions, and other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited University required. Course work in history, public history,
American studies, or museum studies, highly desirable.
• Minimum 3-5 years of library experience preferably in a research library, historical library, or archive
Skills and Experience:
• Knowledge of library software and management systems. Ability to learn to use, provide
training to co-workers/volunteers/interns, and to troubleshoot specialized library and
museum software and platforms, including but not limited to an open source catalog in a
consortia setting (FOLIO), museum collection management software (Mimsy andAxiell), discovery interface (WorldCat Discovery and EBSCO’s Discovery Portal), and
web authoring software (Libguides).
• Excellent speaking and writing skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening): Ability to
comprehend questions and being asked to and respond appropriately at the reference
desk, on the phone, or via email/letter.
• Accuracy and attention to detail, particularly in reference to budgeting (math) and
making distinctions between similar sounding library materials before purchase
(bibliographic knowledge)
• Public speaking and content development: Ability to give tours, develop and deliver
formal and informal presentations in person and remotely
• Ability to learn independently and keep up abreast of relevant information resources
(reference sources and publishing world)
• Ability to supervise volunteers and interns
• Ability to handle historic library materials with the care required for their preservation,
and to move them to and within the library. While performing the duties of this job, the
employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with
hands and arms. The employee occasionally must lift and/or move up to 40 pounds
unassisted.
• Ability to work rotating Saturdays and occasional evenings, required.