Job summary
We are recruiting for a Trainee Library Assistant
Our Trainee Library Assistant will ensure the efficient day-to-day running of the Library and Knowledge Services by providing high-quality customer care to Library users, and by taking responsibility for administering a range of activities across the full range of library services offered.
This is library work in a training capacity developing knowledges and skills in the field of library science and, as part of the training program, performing a variety of assignments throughout a municipal library system.
Main duties of the job
The main duties of this post are:
- Assisting in the day-to-day running of the library service
- Contributing to a wide range of library duties, commensurate with this post being a training role for graduate or post-graduate study in librarianship/information management
- Administering OpenAthens accounts on behalf of local Trusts
About us
Why Work With Us
You will be part of a small friendly team providing a high quality, innovative library and knowledge service (LKS) that enables staff and students to deliver patient-centred, evidence-based care in a timely and efficient manner.
This two-year trainee post offers experience in a dynamic library setting to complement a future graduate or postgraduate library management course, whether undertaken via distance learning whilst the post holder works in the Library or as a full-time course after the contract ends. If the post holder chooses to undertake a course, this would need to be self-funded. This post provides the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and experience in all aspects of library work in preparation for future study and a career in librarianship, or to test the waters to see if they would like to consider a librarianship career.
There is the possibility of this post becoming permanent.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Customer service
- Work on the library enquiry desk, assisting users with information enquiries and providing advice covering the full range of library services
- Responding to enquiries received in person, over the phone or via email
- Support library users undertaking research and literature searches by advising on appropriate databases and locating clinical research
- Provide assistance to users on library IT equipment, including straightforward troubleshooting
- Provide basic inductions for new library members
Housekeeping tasks (Training will be provided on all library systems)
- Administration of OpenAthens accounts for several local Trusts, including password resets and checking users eligibility for access
- Process registration forms for new library users and help maintain existing user records on the regional library management system
- Process new items purchased by the library, including checking for reservations, checking accuracy of records, and security-tagging items
- Library management system housekeeping, including book weeding and deleting old user records
- Chase and monitor overdue notices
- Administer inter-library loans by supplying items requested by other NHS libraries and processing requests for books and research articles from our users in a timely manner
- Attend and participate in team meetings or any other Trust or regional meetings as designated
- Monitor library stationery requirements and order/receipt goods as required
- Provide clerical duties to support the library service, including scanning, sorting post, taking minutes of meetings etc.
- Provide administrative support to any other areas as required
- Tidying and checking shelves
Promotional activities
- Promote use of library resources and assist in the preparation of library guides, information packs and induction packs
- Help produce displays and other promotional material and contribute to outreach activities
- Send welcoming emails to all new staff members
- Help maintain the library website as required
Quality improvement
- Help collect statistics and monitor use as part of a rolling programme of quality improvement
- Contribute ideas for improving existing services or suggesting new services
This job description is not exhaustive. Staff may be required to undertake any other duties at the request of the line manager, which are commensurate with the band.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Customer service
- Work on the library enquiry desk, assisting users with information enquiries and providing advice covering the full range of library services
- Responding to enquiries received in person, over the phone or via email
- Support library users undertaking research and literature searches by advising on appropriate databases and locating clinical research
- Provide assistance to users on library IT equipment, including straightforward troubleshooting
- Provide basic inductions for new library members
Housekeeping tasks (Training will be provided on all library systems)
- Administration of OpenAthens accounts for several local Trusts, including password resets and checking users eligibility for access
- Process registration forms for new library users and help maintain existing user records on the regional library management system
- Process new items purchased by the library, including checking for reservations, checking accuracy of records, and security-tagging items
- Library management system housekeeping, including book weeding and deleting old user records
- Chase and monitor overdue notices
- Administer inter-library loans by supplying items requested by other NHS libraries and processing requests for books and research articles from our users in a timely manner
- Attend and participate in team meetings or any other Trust or regional meetings as designated
- Monitor library stationery requirements and order/receipt goods as required
- Provide clerical duties to support the library service, including scanning, sorting post, taking minutes of meetings etc.
- Provide administrative support to any other areas as required
- Tidying and checking shelves
Promotional activities
- Promote use of library resources and assist in the preparation of library guides, information packs and induction packs
- Help produce displays and other promotional material and contribute to outreach activities
- Send welcoming emails to all new staff members
- Help maintain the library website as required
Quality improvement
- Help collect statistics and monitor use as part of a rolling programme of quality improvement
- Contribute ideas for improving existing services or suggesting new services
This job description is not exhaustive. Staff may be required to undertake any other duties at the request of the line manager, which are commensurate with the band.
Person Specification
Essential and desirable
Essential
- Grade C or above A-levels or equivalent level 3 education
- Demonstrable commitment to gaining a CILIP-recognised formal qualification in library/information studies
- Demonstrable enthusiasm for library work, ideally in a health-related field
- Demonstrable ability to multitask and proactively manage own workload e.g. prioritising, working under pressure and meeting deadlines
- Proven experience of undertaking research using relevant resources
- Proven customer service experience
- Proven effective and responsible team member
- Demonstrate ability to follow policies and procedures
- Ability to work accurately and pay attention to detail
- Demonstrable written and verbal communication skills
- Evidence of a 'can do' attitude towards problem solving and new services/projects
- Demonstrable IT skills, especially Microsoft Office suite
Desirable
- Demonstrable enthusiasm for health information
- Knowledge of legislation such as data protection and copyright
- Ability to evaluate own work and skills
- Experience of working in a library or information service
- Clerical or administrative experience
Person Specification
Essential and desirable
Essential
- Grade C or above A-levels or equivalent level 3 education
- Demonstrable commitment to gaining a CILIP-recognised formal qualification in library/information studies
- Demonstrable enthusiasm for library work, ideally in a health-related field
- Demonstrable ability to multitask and proactively manage own workload e.g. prioritising, working under pressure and meeting deadlines
- Proven experience of undertaking research using relevant resources
- Proven customer service experience
- Proven effective and responsible team member
- Demonstrate ability to follow policies and procedures
- Ability to work accurately and pay attention to detail
- Demonstrable written and verbal communication skills
- Evidence of a 'can do' attitude towards problem solving and new services/projects
- Demonstrable IT skills, especially Microsoft Office suite
Desirable
- Demonstrable enthusiasm for health information
- Knowledge of legislation such as data protection and copyright
- Ability to evaluate own work and skills
- Experience of working in a library or information service
- Clerical or administrative experience
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
