Starting a new role as an acquisitions librarian requires a clear roadmap to navigate the complexities of collection development, vendor management, and budget oversight. A 30-60-90 day plan is an invaluable tool to set focused goals, establish key relationships, and build the competencies necessary for success in this specialized position.
This acquisitions librarian 30-60-90 day plan template helps you:
- Define clear objectives aligned with the library’s collection development policies and strategic goals
- Track progress on onboarding tasks such as system training, vendor introductions, and budget familiarization
- Identify critical skills and knowledge areas, including licensing negotiations, cataloging standards, and emerging resource trends
Whether you are stepping into this role for the first time or transitioning from another library department, this customizable plan provides a structured framework to accelerate your effectiveness and impact.
Benefits of a 30-60-90 Day Plan for Acquisitions Librarians
Implementing a 30-60-90 day plan tailored to acquisitions librarianship offers several advantages:
- Provides a clear, actionable timeline to master complex acquisitions workflows and systems
- Facilitates building strong relationships with vendors, publishers, and internal stakeholders
- Helps prioritize learning about budget management, licensing agreements, and collection assessment
- Enables early identification of challenges and opportunities to optimize resource acquisition
Main Elements of the Acquisitions Librarian 30-60-90 Day Plan
This plan is structured into three key phases, each with specific goals, tasks, and milestones:
- First 30 Days:
Focus on orientation, understanding the library’s acquisitions policies, familiarizing yourself with the Integrated Library System (ILS), and meeting key vendors and internal teams such as cataloging and finance.
- Next 30 Days (Days 31-60):
Begin managing purchase orders, negotiate licensing terms, analyze collection gaps, and participate in budget planning discussions to align acquisitions with institutional priorities.
- Final 30 Days (Days 61-90):
Evaluate vendor performance, streamline workflows, contribute to collection development strategy updates, and establish ongoing reporting mechanisms for acquisitions metrics.
Throughout each phase, document progress notes, challenges encountered, and feedback from supervisors and colleagues to continuously refine your approach and demonstrate your growing expertise.
By following this structured 30-60-90 day plan, acquisitions librarians can confidently navigate their onboarding process, build essential competencies, and make meaningful contributions to their library’s collections and services.
