Reading Reality is a consulting firm I started to provide library staff training on collection development and acquisitions. I have particular expertise in ebook adoption, integration, and selection. My blog is at www.readingreality.net

Manage cataloging and processing departments for a major metropolitan public library.

Public Services Division Director, 2010-2011Responsible for county-wide Public and Technical services for 11 locations, 2 bookmobiles and 1 virtual branch. (Public Services is one of 2 divisions and has a total of 200 staff members.)As part of central collection development, directly manage and promote the downloadable collection. Completely revised District-wide Collection Development Policy.Envisioned and coordinated project to revamp security system for AV media at all locations to provide better display and decrease costs for security cases.Handle all Challenges to Library Materials and Displays and respond to Intellectual Freedom concerns.Support Services Division Director, 2008-2010,Responsible for county-wide Automated and Technical services for 11 locations, 2 bookmobiles and 1 virtual branch. (Prior to a reorganization, Support Services was one of 3 divisions, with 30 staff members.)Automated Services supports Sirsi Symphony ILS, desktop and network support for 650 workstations, and the staff intranet.Technical Services provides centralized collection development, centralized acquisitions, centralized cataloging, negotiation of database contracts.As part of central collection development, directly manage and promote the downloadable collection. Managed successful upgrade from Sirsi Unicorn to Sirsi Symphony.Successful implementation of Sirsi Serials Control.

Responsible for system-wide cataloging, metadata, processing and database maintenance for 78 locations, 2 bookmobiles and 1 virtual branch.Supervised staff of 3 departments, Cataloging, Database Maintenance and Processing, with more than 30 staff members.Member of the implementation team that successfully completed the migration of the CPL system and database from second-generation to third-generation ILS including complete website re-write. Created and approved specifications for development of automation system, oversaw testing of appropriate modules.Created specifications, implemented quality control measures, and negotiated contracts for outsourcing cataloging and processing.Successful implementation of ContentDM and digital project site. This project took static digital exhibits and updated content into new digital content databases as well as adding new content and digital projects. New collections included the history of Chicago neighborhoods and a grant-funded project on the building of Millennium Park.

Responsible for acquisitions of all print and electronic monographs and serials purchased by the University LibrariesSupervised staff of 2 departments, Acquisitions and Serials Control, with over. 20 staff members.Administered a $12.6 million acquisitions budget in FY2004/05, including approval plan, firm orders, serials, electronic resources and standing orders.Effectively managed migration of Acquisitions Department from legacy NOTIS system to Ex Libris Aleph system as part of Florida Central for Library Automation consortium.

Responsible for cataloging, database maintenance and processing of all materials, all formats, including government documents, purchased or donated to the Library.Supervised staff of 12.Created, as part of a statewide team, the Alaska Virtual Library and Digital Archives, a grant-funded project to provide internet access to unique Alaska archival materials related to the history of the state. The project initially began with 5,000 photographs, and later expanded to include movie clips, sound recordings and manuscripts from libraries and archives all over the state.Started and managed a successful outsourcing program where UAA provided outsourced cataloging to the ARLIS library.Secured an LSTA grant to provide the first NACO training to Alaska libraries, creating the Alaska NACO funnel. The Library of Congress Name Authority Cooperative (NACO) program provides a method for libraries to contribute unique name records to the national database. The funnel projects are groups that have a specific focus who band together. Ex Libris USA

Responsible for all North American project implementations of Aleph ILS conducted from the North American offices.Supervised staff of 6 project managers in two locations (Boston and Chicago)Completed successful migrations of projects including University of Iowa

Responsible for migrating customer sites from their previous system to Endeavor Voyager systemSuccessfully managed up to 25 customer sites simultaneously, conducting all contact with site from point of contract signing to customer in production in all Voyager modulesSites converted ranged in size from 1,000 volumes to 3 million volumesCompleted successful migrations of sites included Texas A&

Responsible for system-wide cataloging, processing, database maintenance, and acquisitions for 3 libraries.Supervised staff of 2 departments, Technical Services and Information Systems, with approx. 20 staff members.Prior to reorganization in 1997, driven by the growth and increasing importance of Information Systems, also supervised Circulation and Shelving Department with additional staff of approx. 15.Responsible for all library operations in the absence of the Director.Managed $1.3 million of library's $2.8 million budgetPart of management team that planned and implemented a building program for a new Main Library. Successfully planned and implemented split of Library's collection to prepare for move to smaller interim site during building of new Main LibrarySuccessfully planned and implemented library's first local area network, including training program for all staff.Effected conversion of library automation system from first generation (CLSI) to second generation (DRA) system, including upgrade to full-MARC database and implementation of authority controlDesigned and carried out training program for community volunteer training coaches for new automation system

Responsible for system-wide cataloging, processing, database maintenance and acquisitions for 3 libraries.Supervised 8 staff members.Responsible for acquisitions and processing of periodicals and microfilms.Successfully implemented online serials check-in program.Negotiated purchase agreements with vendors.