Library Assistant (Evenings and Weekends)

About the role

The library forms part of Section 3 of the Humanities Libraries, which supports research, teaching and learning in modern and medieval European languages and literatures (Taylor Institution Library), archaeology, history of art and the ancient world (Art Library), and Asian & Middle Eastern studies (Nizami Ganjavi Library). We work co-operatively to provide services, so although you would be based primarily in the Taylorian, you may work at the other two libraries at various times, and in exceptional circumstances, may be asked to provide cover at one of the other Humanities libraries.

As a Library Assistant, you will welcome and assist readers and visitors at the Issue and Enquiry Desks, helping with enquiries about the collections, services and facilities of the library. You will work with SOLO, the online library catalogue, and Alma, our library management system. Other duties will include fetching, scanning and re-shelving books, processing new material, and carrying out tasks in support of projects. You would be expected to manage and prioritise your own workload on a day-to-day basis, under general direction. You may be required to help train new staff members, and to act as a point of reference for Grade 2 Library Assistants. At all times, you will work towards providing excellent service to library users.

Within this role, there is a significant element of lifting, carrying and shelving books, pushing trolleys and using ladders and kick stools. You will need to be able to carry out these duties following safe manual handling practices, as instructed.

This is a permanent, part-time position, working an average of 9.625 hours per week (0.2637 FTE). You will work the following fortnightly pattern:

Week 1:

• Tuesdays 17:00 – 19:15
• Thursdays 17:00 – 19:15
• Fridays 17:00 – 19:15

Week 2:

• Tuesdays 17:00 – 19:15
• Fridays 17:00 – 19:15
• Saturdays 09:45 – 18:15

You will be offered additional slots to cover holidays of other members of the evenings and weekends team. If the Reader Services Supervisor (evenings and weekends) is absent, the post-holder will act up in this role and an acting up allowance is included in the salary.

About You

You will be educated to GCSE level or equivalent, with the ability to communicate effectively, confidently and courteously with readers, colleagues and the public. You will have experience of providing good service within a customer-facing environment. As your work will involve both PC-based tasks and supporting readers in using our online systems and resources, you will have strong general IT skills. You will also have the ability to work effectively as part of a team, and to work under pressure in a busy environment. Previous experience of working in a library is desirable, as is familiarity with/interest in one of the subjects or languages covered in our collections.

How to apply

You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting evidence form using the attached template as part of your online application. Your supporting evidence form should list each of the essential and desirable selection criteria, as listed in the job description, and explain how you meet each one. Both documents must be submitted to be considered.

Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (GMT) on Monday 3 February 2025 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on Tuesday 18 February 2025.

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