The challenge to libraries is not insignificant.  Four of the six publishers are not providing eBooks to libraries at any price.  The other two – Random House and HarperCollins lead the industry with two different models.  Random House adjusted eBook pricing in 2012.  While the prices on some books were lowered, the most popular titles increased in price – some dramatically.  Author Justin Cronin’s post-apocalyptic bestseller “The Twelve” whose print edition costs the Douglas County Libraries $15.51 from Baker & Taylor and whose eBook is priced at $9.99 on Amazon was priced at $84 to Douglas County on October 31^st.

Events this year include:

• An online exhibit called Fine Print* (*and Digital!). A gallery of books, journals, digital collections, and reference works exemplifying the work of AAUP members.
• A blog tour, featuring writings from the perspectives of 26 member presses and their authors.
• Influence maps highlighting the geographical spread of University Presses, both in their physical locations and in their subjects.

Check back with us Wednesday when we take our turn hosting the blog tour with a post by  folklorist Stephen Wade on the value of “humane scholarship” through the work of University Presses.

• Create comprehensive and successful publicity plans for 100 or more titles each year.
• Oversee all review media mailings; develop creative, thorough, and targeted mailing lists for bound proof and finished books.
• Write press releases, develop media kits, and research media contacts.
• Develop strong relationships with print and electronic media; meet and communicate with book review editors and radio/TV producers regularly to present new titles; special focus on metropolitan media in: Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C.
• Attend selected academic and trade conferences (including weekend travel).
• Manage UI Press blog and the Press presence on other social networking sites including Twitter and Facebook. Update content regularly, including scheduling posts from authors and others and working with IT on form and function.
• Update and maintain in-house publicity database (FileMaker) and research media contacts via online guide (Cision).
• Attend editorial and marketing meetings and provide analyses of publicity prospects for new titles.
• Maintain relationships with other departments at UI (Urbana, Chicago, and Springfield campuses), including the office of the alumni relations, the office of Public Affairs, and the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
• Arrange book signings and launch parties at bookstores, libraries, museums, historical societies, book festivals, and academic conferences.
• Oversee the production of video book trailers.
• Arrange regional, national, and international radio/TV appearances.
• Communicate publicity information to authors, editors, and UIP marketing staff.
• Manage publicity budget and schedules.
• Manage author relationships.
• Serve on the Crisis Communication Committee.
• Participate in the professional activities of the Association of American University Presses.
• Responsible for overseeing staff (Marketing and Sales Assistant).

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of 2 years of experience in book publishing or a minimum of five years of experience in publicity/public relations. Other required qualifications include: strong writing, interpersonal and organizational skills;  multi-tasking capability to manage multiple complex tasks; independent decision making skills; knowledge and demonstrated experience with the Microsoft Office Suite; demonstrated experience with databases and knowledge of the web; ability to travel out of state (by airplane) and managerial experience with directing and overseeing staff preferred.

This is a full-time, 12-month Academic Professional position. For full consideration, candidates must apply and submit a letter of application, resume, and names/addresses/phone numbers of three professional references by October 8, 2012 at https://uajobs.hr.uillinois.edu/.

Employee Relations and Human Resources
271 Henry Administration Building, MC 341
506 South Wright Street
Urbana, IL  61801
(217) 333-2600

The University of Illinois is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity and diversity. University Administration welcomes applications from women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, sexual minority groups and other candidates who will lead and contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives.

https://uajobs.hr.uillinois.edu/employment/search-jobs/details?jobID=25093&job=publicity-coordinator-manager

University presses are one of the few centers of expertise regarding scholarly  communication to be found on any campus, and their knowledge is broader than any  other entity. Librarians are acutely aware of some dissemination issues, like  price, but not so much about cost and business models. Academic computing center  staff know the technical aspects of the web and are hands-down the experts on  hardware. But in the broadest context of scholarly communication it is presses,  charged with recovering on average 80 percent of their operating costs, that  have the greatest expertise in all aspects of the big picture.

“But even as iPad adoption appears to have stagnated, e-textbooks show signs of finally gaining traction. Twenty percent of students in this year’s survey either bought or ‘rented’ an e-textbook this spring. Over all, electronic versions accounted for 9 percent of all textbook purchases. Print textbooks are nowhere close to extinction, though.”

Update: Here is a link to the All Things Considered piece.

To apply, click here.

Link to the original post.

Her books have earned rave reviews and have won a long line of awards, including
the Letitia Woods Brown Memorial Book Award from the Association of Black Women
Historians, the Weatherford Award from the Appalachian Studies Association, the
Association for Asian American Studies Best Book Award, and the Association for
Recorded Sound Collections Award for Best Research in Recorded Rock or Popular Music. She received her Doctorate in Music in 1998.

Laurie will continue acquiring in music, labor and women’s history, folklore, and Appalachian studies.

Congratulations, Laurie!