Director of Library & Information Services // The Bar of Ireland (Dublin)

EXPIRED Dec - 16

The Bar of Ireland

Director of Library & Information Services

Our Mission

To provide leadership and representation on behalf of members of the independent referral Bar of Ireland, ensure the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct within the profession and to deliver valued and quality services for the benefit of members.

The Bar of Ireland is a prestigious institution dedicated to providing comprehensive legal resources and services to support the legal community in Ireland. The organisation is the representative body for the barrister profession in Ireland and is governed by the Constitution of The Bar of Ireland. The Bar of Ireland is the term used to describe the independent referral bar that has a current membership of approximately 2,150 practising barristers.

As the primary legal research facility in the country, the organisation plays a pivotal role in facilitating access to legal information, fostering legal scholarship, and enhancing the overall efficiency of the legal profession. Our primary goals are to continuously improve our services, ensure their relevance and deliver them in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.

Knowledge and information services are at the heart of our offering to members, enabling access to vast legal libraries and online resources, education programmes, and professional practice advice and support.

Our Strategy

The operational focus of The Bar of Ireland is guided by the Strategic Plan 2021-2024. Enhancing and expanding our Library & Information Services are at the heart of our offering to members, enabling access to vast legal libraries and online resources, education programmes and professional practice advice and support. This incorporates a range of objectives at department level:

Deliver a library and information service of excellence, enhancing access to online services and resources.
Continue to improve the online availability of the library over time, until it is as fully integrated as possible, ensuring our collections, both digital and print, support members’ practice needs to maintain their competitive advantage as legal service providers.
Ensure a user-centred approach to online services – intuitive presentation, instant access.
Leverage the output of our ‘Library as Information Broker’ initiative to develop content for publication across platforms and tailored to the information needs of members.
Develop information hubs, in both breadth and depth, to reflect the immediacy of the information of our members.
Link with members to ensure high-quality content and develop ways to encourage member participation.

Planning for the creation of a new strategy for the period October 2024 – October 2027 will shortly get underway.

Our Values

Professionalism
Accountability
Efficiency
Effectiveness
Transparency

The Role

The Bar of Ireland is seeking a highly qualified and dynamic individual for the position of Director of Library & Information Services. This leadership role is instrumental in shaping and overseeing the library’s strategic direction, managing its resources, and ensuring the delivery of high quality legal and information services to members of the Law Library.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

Develop and implement a strategic vision for the library in alignment with the overall goals of the organisation.
Provide leadership in the development and execution of policies, programs, and services that meet the evolving needs of the members of the Law Library.

Library Management:

Oversee the day-to-day operations of the library, including staffing, budgeting, and resource allocation.
Ensure the efficient organisation and accessibility of the library’s extensive collection of legal materials, both physical and digital.

Technology & Change Management:

Stay abreast of emerging technologies and trends in library and information science, and integrate innovative solutions to enhance library services and accessibility.
Champion the integration of AI technologies to optimise library & IT services.
Management of all change programmes.

User Services:

Collaborate with the Council and members of the Law Library to understand their information needs and ensure the library provides relevant and timely resources and services.
Implement user-focused initiatives to enhance the overall user experience.
Ensure ongoing innovation in the development of a service that is future focussed.

Collaboration and Outreach:
- Foster relationships with legal institutions, educational bodies, and other relevant stakeholders to promote collaboration and resource-sharing.
- Represent the The Bar of Ireland, as required, in local and international forums to build partnerships and contribute to the advancement of legal information services.
Professional Development:

Encourage and support the professional development of library staff through training, mentorship, and other opportunities for skill enhancement.

Essential Criteria:

Minimum 5 years’ experience within a leadership role in library management, preferably in a legal or academic setting.
Evidence of achieving user-led service excellence.
Experience of successful management and mentorship of professional teams.
Strong financial management and budget planning experience. Proven strategic planning & implementation skills.
Demonstrated experience of initiative and process improvement through digital innovation.
Evidence of successful change management.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Desirable Criteria:

Master’s degree in Library and Information Science or a related field.
Proven experience working with legal information resources and research methodologies.

Expected Organisational Competencies: