Acquisitions and Metadata Specialist, Collection Services, Library - UT Chattanooga
University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department
The Acquisitions & Metadata Specialist supports the UTC Library by acquiring, describing, and enabling access to print and electronic resources. Reporting to the Assistant Professor—Director of Acquisitions and Content Management, this role manages ordering and invoicing workflows, cataloging and metadata updates, and collection development activities that ensure students, faculty, and staff have timely access to high‑quality library materials.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is in the heart of one of Tennessee’s largest and most dynamic cities. As a national model for metropolitan universities, UTC collaborates with its many regional partners to offer an experiential learning environment with outstanding teaching scholars in 128 undergraduate degree programs and 55 graduate programs—at both the master's and doctoral levels. UTC and Chattanooga—nationally recognized for its downtown redevelopment and wealth of outdoor recreation—are inextricably linked, and the University is central to the workforce and economic development efforts of the region and the state.
Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Engineering and Computer Science; Health, Education and Professional Studies; and the Honors College are home to an array of award-winning programs from Nursing to Computer Science, Entrepreneurship to Veteran Student Support. Innovation is a strategic focus, and UTC research and development in smart city technology is an industry leader. UTC is the first and only university in the country with access to a managed, commercial quantum computing network, and we are introducing an artificial intelligence initiative involving entities across campus and engaging partners throughout the region.
From our deep ties to the city of Chattanooga to our national reputation for innovation and hands-on learning, UTC stands out as a university where students thrive, faculty inspire, and partnerships create real impact.
The Acquisitions & Metadata Specialist (Library & Museum Associate 3 - MR07) supports the UTC Library by acquiring, describing, and enabling access to print and electronic resources.
Required:
- High school diploma or GED.
- One (1) year of relevant professional or paraprofessional experience (including graduate assistantship or internship experience) performing tasks related to acquisitions or procurement, cataloging, electronic resource management, resource sharing, or fulfillment tasks.
Preferred:
- Bachelor's degree.
- Two (2) years of relevant professional or paraprofessional experience (including graduate assistantship or internship experience) performing tasks related to acquisitions or procurement, cataloging, electronic resource management, resource sharing, or fulfillment tasks. Work experience in an academic library preferred.
Work Location:
- University of Tennessee – Chattanooga, TN Campus
- This is a fully on-site position.
Compensation and Benefits:
- UT Market Range: MR07
- Anticipated hiring range: $47,250
- Find more information on the UT Market Range structure
- Find more information on UT Benefits
Acquisitions of Library Materials
Source and order ongoing and one‑time materials in all formats; evaluate vendor options, quality, cost, and shipping to optimize service and budget use.
- Perform QA on electronic order confirmations and e‑resource activations; proactively monitor and troubleshoot access.
- Prepare and submit purchase requisitions and orders in vendor and university systems; reconcile invoices and manage vendor deposit accounts.
- Receive and process print items; activate/test access for new electronic materials within the Library Services Platform (LSP).
- Maintain accurate acquisitions data within the integrated library system; ensure compliance with campus and system procurement/financial policies.
Collection Development & Management
- Lead procurement, management, and assessment for the popular reading, children, and graphic novel collections.
- Collaborate on renewals and subscription decisions; coordinate projects with the Collections Management Librarian and the Cataloging & Metadata Librarian.
- Manage replacements for lost/damaged items; oversee patron purchase requests and in‑kind donations.
- Track holds and e‑book turnaways to expedite access via additional purchase or interlibrary loan; analyze data for relevance, compliance, budgeting, and assessment.
- Serve on the Library Collection Development Committee; supervise and collaborate with student assistants on collection projects.
Metadata & Access Management
- Copy catalog materials in all formats; update bibliographic records per local and national standards.
- Create/update item, holdings, and authority records in the LSP; perform database maintenance in Ex Libris Alma and OCLC WorldShare Management System during data cleanups, relocations, inventories, and weeding.
- Troubleshoot e‑resource access issues with Library IT.
Other Duties
- Monitor trends in acquisitions, e‑resource management, and collection development; participate in process documentation and improvement.
- Serve on library‑wide committees; provide customer service at the Check Out Desk as needed; support sorting, shelving, in‑house use stats, and related projects.
- Assist with onboarding and training of new employees and student workers.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of acquisitions workflows, cataloging standards, and electronic resource management.
- Skill in using integrated library systems (e.g., Ex Libris Alma), vendor platforms, and Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to analyze data for accuracy and compliance, troubleshoot access issues, and maintain detailed records.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills for collaborating with colleagues, vendors, and patrons.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, demonstrating initiative and problem-solving capabilities.
Review of applications will begin on January 5, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration.