Senior Resource Description Assistant

About the role

The Bodleian Libraries are seeking a Senior Resource Description Assistants to join the Resource Description department. Resource Description is part of Collections Management and is based in the Osney One Building, Osney Mead. The post is in the English Cataloguing team, focussing on English language materials and also materials in Celtic languages. This role also involves lifting, shelving and moving books as well as pushing trolleys and using kick-stools.

The team is responsible for cataloguing and classifying monographs, acquired through purchase and Legal Deposit. The post-holder will be responsible for creating high quality catalogue records through copy and original cataloguing. Items required in reading rooms are classified using Library of Congress Classification as well as in-house schemes.

Previous cataloguing experience may be an advantage, but full bibliographic training will be given to the right candidate.

This is a permanent, full-time position, working 36.5 hours per week.

About You

You will have enthusiasm and the motivation to develop high-level bibliographic skills. You will have a calm and methodical approach to work and excellent attention to detail. You will be able to work independently and in a team environment and have good written and spoken communication skills. Reading knowledge of a Celtic language such as Welsh, Breton, Irish, or Scots Gaelic will be welcomed.

Based on Osney Mead, the Osney One Building is situated a 20-minute walk away from Oxford’s historic city centre, overlooking green fields and the tranquillity of the Oxford canal. The onsite cafe is open daily with inside and outside seating, offering a variety of meals, snacks and drinks. Parking permits are available for those who wish to travel by car. The award-winning Osney One Green Impact team is very active, caring for our surroundings, leading lunch-time nature walks and wellbeing sessions.

Diversity

Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave.

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. CVs alone will not be considered.

We aim to provide a supportive working environment and are happy to discuss training and professional development opportunities. The Chair of this recruitment panel will be Georgina Shomroni, English Cataloguing Team Leader, who can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role (georgina.shomroni@bodleian.ox.ac.uk). General queries about the recruitment and application process should be directed to the Recruitment team within our Human Resources department (recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk).

Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (BST) on Wednesday 2 April 2025 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 24 or Friday 25 April 2025.

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