Library Service Advisor Cirencester, England
Job description
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Library Service Advisor – Job Description
The Role
Job title: Library Service Advisor
Department: Library
Responsible to: Digital Operations Manager
Location: Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester
Job details: Permanent; Part time, Saturday, term time only, 10 am to 5 pm with a 30-
minute unpaid lunch break; plus Tuesday, all year, 9 am to 5 pm with a 60
minute unpaid lunch break (0.3 FTE) .
Salary: Grade 3: £5,958 - £6,489 pro rata (£19,863 to £21,630 full time equivalent)
dependent on qualifications/experience
Main purpose of job: To support the library team, providing an efficient, high quality service
Relationships with: Students and staff, externals (e.g. suppliers, external members etc.)
Key Responsibilities
1. To deliver the highest level of customer service to all users, and create a positive impression
of the library and the RAU.
2. To take ownership of library enquiries and issues, and use judgement and initiative in
determining the most effective resolution.
3. To work as part of a team on the Help Desk to explain the resources, services and facilities
provided by the library, and provide training and support in their use.
4. To assume delegated responsibility for ensuring that the appropriate library policies and
standards are upheld.
5. To assist / cover for other members of the library team as required.
6. To co-ordinate and actively participate in meetings and other team activities with a view to
maintaining and developing the best possible quality of service.
7. To carry out a range of other duties broadly in line with the above to support the effective
delivery of information services to users, and the functional operation of the library.
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Principal Areas of Responsibility:
1. To take sole responsibility for the library during extended opening hours, including maintaining
security of stock and ensuring the well-being of library users.
2. To welcome users and answer directional and procedural enquiries received in person, by
phone or e-mail.
3. To assist readers to use the online catalogue and to access resources, and provide initial
assistance with printing, scanning and use of the self-service kiosks etc.
4. To share in a wide variety of administrative tasks and duties including, but not limited to:
stock-checking, shelving, tidying, book processing and minor repairs, box labelling etc.
5. To help maintain the upkeep and good order of the library environment, including regular
quiet patrol.
6. To take periodic headcounts.
7. To monitor and respond to student e-mails in the generic mailboxes, including the noise alert
service.
8. To ensure the library and its contents are left secure on closing up by following the correct
locking-up procedures.
9. To communicate effectively with daytime and evening library staff to ensure smooth handover.
10. To liaise with duty security staff as appropriate.
These Principal Areas of Responsibility should be regarded as flexible rather than fixed, and are
subject to change as RAU Library Services develop.
Other Responsibilities/Duties:
1. Participate in team projects for the development of the service.
2. Carry out peer training within the team.
3. Maintain, replenish and display agreed notices, guides, displays and publicity materials.
4. Undertake specific areas of responsibility as agreed with your line manager.
5. Take responsibility for your own training notes, either print or digital, and ensure they are
correct and up-to-date.
6. Uphold the Library Team Charter and the values encapsulated therein.
7. Undertake periodic Continuing Professional Development activities, both internal and external,
to keep up-to-date with developments in the library and information domain with particular
relevance to HE.
8. Ensure that reasonable care is taken at all times for the health, safety and welfare of yourself
and other persons to comply with the relevant University policies and procedures, including
those pertaining to lone working.
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General Responsibilities
The University is committed to equality of opportunity. All staff are required to comply with
current legislation, University policies and good practice guidance.
All staff are required to act in a way that safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and
vulnerable adults at all times. The post holder must be familiar with and adhere to appropriate
safeguarding policies and guidance and participate in related mandatory/statutory training.
Managers have a responsibility to ensure their team members understand their individual
responsibilities with regard to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
All staff are required to participate in the University appraisal process and should ensure they
are familiar with the process and plan time to prepare for their appraisal. Following the
appraisal, staff are expected to undertake in any necessary learning and development and work
towards the objectives that have been set.
The University expects staff to attend any training designated as mandatory and to undertake
learning and development activities to support their role. Managers must facilitate learning and
development within their teams.
It is a condition of employment that staff will not disclose any information obtained in the course
of their duties other than to those entitled to receive it. The post holder must ensure that the
confidentiality of personal data remains secure and that restricted information or highly
restricted information to which they have access remains confidential during and after their
employment at Royal Agricultural University. All staff must undergo appropriate data protection
training as required.
All absence from work must be reported in accordance with the University’s absence procedures
and recorded on iTrent.
The University acknowledges its responsibility to provide a safe, smoke free environment, to its
employees, service users and visitors. It is the policy of the University not to allow smoking on
University premises other than in specifically designated areas.
Staff Benefits
We offer a range of Staff Benefits including a 35-hour working week, a generous 30 days annual
leave entitlement plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time posts), pension scheme, free and
guaranteed parking on campus and free shuttle bus from campus to Cirencester town centre,
discounted catering facilities, discounted onsite gym, free library services, employee assistance
programme, occupational health and counselling services, cycle to work scheme and staff
development opportunities.
Further details of the full range of staff benefits available can be found on our website
Person Specification
Requirements Essential or Measured By
Desirable A) Application Form
B) Interview
C) Test / Exercise
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D) Presentation
A good standard of general education E A
Excellent communication skills, able to communicate effectively E A, B
at all levels
Good level of IT Skills - MS Office, use of search engines E A, B
Excellent time-management skills and punctuality E A, B
Ability to use own initiative to prioritise and complete work tasks, E A, B
with minimum supervision
Ability to carry out administrative / clerical routines accurately E A, B
and efficiently
Flexibility and a willingness to undertake a wide range of library E A, B
routines
Prior experience of library work, or of a customer-oriented or D A
help desk environment
Online searching skills D A, B
Application Procedure
If you are interested in applying for this role, please send:
University Application Form together with the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form available on
the University website www.rau.ac.uk) – you may attach your up to date CV if you wish to add
additional information.
Details of two referees who must be people who can comment authoritatively on you as a person
and as an employee in relation to the level of the post, and must include your current or most
recent employer or their representative.
Please forward to the HR Team, Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7
6JS or via email to [email protected] stating where you saw the advert for the role
Informal enquiries can be directed by email to Susan Baker, Digital Operations Manager, at
Closing date: Sunday 25 June 2023 with Interviews on: 6 July 2023.
Should you be selected for interview please be aware that we are unable to reimburse interview
expenses.
The RAU is an equal opportunities employer and we particularly welcome applications
from black and minority ethnic candidates as they are underrepresented within the RAU
at this level.
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