*****Expired*****
Position: Library Assistant
School/Department: Information Services
Reference: 13/102995
Closing Date: Friday 22 November 2013
Salary: £16,091 to £20,172 per annum (including contribution points)
Anticipated Interview Date: Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 December 2013
JOB PURPOSE:
To be responsible for the performance of a range of duties within the University library system.
Posts may be full-time or part-time (term time/year round) and will include morning, afternoon, evening and weekend work.
MAJOR DUTIES:
1. Issue and discharge library materials and undertake associated clerical tasks to maximize access to library materials and
ensure accurate record keeping.
2. Assist library users by the provision of advice and guidance to help them find the information and resources they need in both
printed and electronic formats.
3. Obtain material on request which is not available in the library through the reservation system and inter-library loan to provide
QUB and external users with access to the widest possible range of resources.
4. Carry out administrative tasks associated with the service to users, e.g. mailing, faxing, e-mailing overdue notices,
articles/reports to staff, students, other libraries and professional bodies, maintaining user records.
5. Carry out administrative tasks associated with the acquisition of library materials and its subsequent processing. These may
include: (i) maintain and update databases to ensure records are up to date; (ii) process journals, books and reports to ensure
material is appropriately recorded, collated, bound and kept in good condition; (iii) checking to ensure electronic resources are
available to the appropriate users; (iv) coding and verification of invoices.
6. Receiving money for Library charges including till reconciliation and cashing up.
7. Provide basic training to newly recruited colleagues and to Student Library Assistants. Offer general guidance and advice to
new University students, e.g. induction tours.
8. Participate in the work of cross-Library teams focused on a range of service enhancement initiatives.
9. Shelving library material, shelf tidying and carrying out other stock management tasks so that library materials are easily
accessible to users.
10. Carry out technical and administrative tasks associated with the upkeep and development of systems underpinning the Library
service.
11. Carry out any other duties which are appropriate to the post as may be reasonably requested by Supervisor.
Planning and Organising:
1. Prioritise, plan and organise own work responding to manager’s/work requirements in addition to own responsibilities to ensure
operational efficiency.
2. Refer to more senior colleagues for prioritising and scheduling non-standard work.
3. React daily to queries from library users.
Resource Management Responsibilities:
1. Monitor and replenish levels of stocks/stores of equipment and supplies following set ordering procedures.
2. Occasionally, oversee the work of less experienced colleagues, ensuring tasks are completed accurately and on time and
quality standards are maintained.
Internal and External Relationships
1. Daily contact with Supervisor, work colleagues, University staff and students, and all other eligible Library users.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
1. * Five GCSEs (Grade C or above) or equivalent to include English Language and Mathematics OR NVQ Level 2 Administration
or equivalent in a relevant subject.
2. * A minimum of one year’s relevant experience in a working environment within a public, school, special or academic library to
include:
(i) A minimum of six months experience of interacting,face-to-face, with customers whilst based at a front-of-house service point
in a library.
(ii) A minimum of six months experience of operating a named computerised Library Management System in a working
environment.
3. Good verbal and written communication skills.
4. Must be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to customer service.
5. Must be able to grasp quickly the essentials of a query in order to be able to direct the user to the appropriate information.
6. Must realise the importance of accuracy.
7. Must have the ability to work as part of a team, understanding the impact that your work has on others.
8. Must be able to work quickly and accurately under pressure.
9. Must be able to relate well to library users.
10. Must be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in library work and in assisting users.
11. Candidates must be prepared to undertake evening and weekend duty.
12. The Library consists of a number of different branches across various sites and candidates must be willing to work in any part of
the Library system.
13. All Library Assistant posts require some element of manual work – e.g. shelving, shelf tidying.
DESIRABLE CRITERIA:
1. Two A’Levels.
2. A qualification in Librarianship or Information Studies or Information Management.
3. A qualification demonstrating proficiency in computing and information systems (E.g. a minimum of ECDL or equivalent).
4. * A minimum of two years relevant experience in a working environment within a public, school, special or academic library to
include the areas listed under the essential criteria.
5. * A minimum of six months experience of circualtion transaction work in a working environment within a public, school, special
or academic library.
6. A minimum of six months relevant experience of working in a University Library or Library within the HE/FE sector.
7. A minimum of six months relevant experience of working in one of the following specialist areas: Bibliographic services;
Inter-Library Loans; Library systems; Subject support.
8. Two years’ experience of working directly with the public in a customer service environment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
A waiting list will be compiled to fill further vacancies that may arise within the next 12 months.
The University reserves the right to enhance the criteria as part of the shortlisting process should the response to the advert be
excessive.
Please demonstrate on your application how your qualifications, skills, experience meet the essential criteria and if appropriate
desirable criteria which are outlined in the Job Details. In particular, should any criteria be marked with an asterisk, you should clearly
demonstrate how you meet this criteria.
