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We are looking to recruit a full-time Library Assistant to work within Section 3 of the Bodleian Libraries’ Humanities Libraries. You will work mostly within two libraries: the Bodleian Art, Archaeology & Ancient World Library, which holds the University of Oxford’s collections in these named subject areas (inclusive of Classics, Egyptology & Ancient Near Eastern Studies, and Architecture), and the Nizami Ganjavi Library, which holds collections that support teaching and research within the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. The third library within the section is the Taylor Institution Library, the centre for the study of modern and medieval European languages and literatures, and you also may work here from time to time if needed.

Within this role, you will work as part of the Reader Services team, providing frontline customer service to a wide variety of readers in person and by email/phone – issuing and returning books, answering enquiries, and helping library users to navigate our spaces and services. Day to day, you will assist with operational work such as processing new books and journals, the delivery and handling of requested offsite material, staffing our on-demand scanning service LibraryScan, and the reshelving and care of open shelf material. You will also contribute to background work such as collections projects (reclassification, weeding of material to offsite storage, book moves), checking reading lists, and handling damaged books that require repair, rebinding, or replacement.

You will be able to communicate effectively, confidently, and courteously with readers, colleagues, and the public, with a commitment to providing excellent customer service. You’ll have good IT literacy, and will work well as part of a team. Furthermore, you will be reliable, and capable of carrying out routine tasks with care and accuracy. Previous experience of working in a library (or similar customer services environment) would be desirable, but not essential.

This is a full-time, permanent post, working 36.5 hours per week onsite. This role will involve manual handling and working up to 2m in height.

We aim to provide a supportive working environment, and are always happy to discuss training and professional development opportunities. The Chair of this recruitment panel will be Colin Walker, who can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role ([email protected]). General queries about the recruitment and application process should be directed to the Recruitment team within our Human Resources department ([email protected]).

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. University employees are also eligible to join the relevant pension scheme for their role. Further information on the University’s staff benefits for both work and personal life can be found here: https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits.

You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting evidence form 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.

Only applications received online before 12:00 midday (BST) on Monday 31 July 2023 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing Monday 21 August 2023.