Library Collection Development & Acquisition Specialist

Role Overview

We seek a Library Collection Development & Acquisition Specialist tasked with curating and expanding a diverse library collection of approximately 400 books. This collection should be tailored to align with the target audience's needs, reflect the local cultural context, support educational goals, programming activities, and cater to multiple languages including Arabic, English, French, and Chinese.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess the current library collection and loan system to uncover gaps, remove duplicates, and identify opportunities for growth.
• Create a formalized methodology and criteria for book selection to streamline acquisition.
• Conduct thorough research to recommend titles that span various subjects, cater to different age groups, and encompass multiple languages.
• Choose books that complement workshops, reading initiatives, school group visits, and community-focused events.
• Forge and maintain partnerships with publishers, authors, distributors, bookstores, and cultural organizations on both local and global levels.
• Source books while skillfully negotiating terms such as availability, pricing, editions, delivery schedules, and discounts.
• Validate proposed titles by checking author credentials, publisher details, language, publication date, ISBN, intended audience age, availability, and pricing.
• Ensure compliance of selected titles with Saudi Arabian regulations and acquisition standards.
• Compile a final acquisition list and advise on prospective collection enhancements.

Candidate Requirements

• A bachelor's degree or higher in Library & Information Science, Library Management, Literature, Publishing, Cultural Management, or a relevant discipline.
• Demonstrated expertise in collection development and library acquisition methodologies.
• Familiarity with both regional and global publishing markets.
• Established networks with publishers, authors, distributors, bookstores, or cultural institutions are highly valued.
• Strong awareness of literature geared towards children, young adults, and adults.
• Excellent research capabilities coupled with analytical, bibliographic, communicative, and negotiation expertise.

Application Details

Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit their updated curriculum vitae for evaluation.