Support Librarian London, England
Job description
We are looking for a Support Librarian to join our National Poetry Library team on permanent, 4 days per week basis.
Southbank Centre’s National Poetry Library is the largest public collection of modern poetry in the world and is housed at Southbank Centre in London. Founded by the Arts Council in 1953 and opened by poets T.S. Eliot and Herbert Read, the library contains over 200,000 items spanning from 1912 to the present day, extensive resources for poets, academics, schools and families. Hosting exhibitions and events, the library is free to use www.nationalpoetrylibrary.org.uk
Role objectives
- In cooperation with all other Southbank Centre staff, to provide a welcoming and efficient service to the public, artists, contractors, consultants and promoters using the Southbank Centre.
- To work across the National Poetry Library’s digital platforms and resources, taking a lead role in the publication of bibliographic information and website content.
- To assist the librarians in providing an informed, efficient and friendly service to all Library visitors, and in developing online engagement with the library by outside organisations and the general public.
As well as working at one of London's most popular and engaging sites the successful candidate will also benefit from the following:
- a min 5% pension contribution (going up to 8% depending on employee contribution)
- 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
- Hybrid working model (3 days office working, 2 days from home)
- Enhanced sick pay
- Enhanced family leave benefits
- Discount at all onsite retail, food and beverage vendors
- Free staff tickets for SC events
- Free entry to Hayward Gallery
- Free/discounted entry to other institutes such as the Tate
- Free staff yoga
The Southbank Centre is the UK’s largest arts centre occupying a prominent riverside location that sits in the midst of London’s most vibrant cultural quarter on the South Bank of the Thames. We exist to present great cultural experiences that bring people together and we achieve this by providing the space for artists to create and present their best work and by creating a place where as many people as possible can come together to experience bold, unusual and eye-opening work. We want to take people out of the everyday, every day.
The site has an extraordinary creative and architectural history stretching back to the 1951 Festival of Britain. Southbank Centre is made up of the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Hayward Gallery as well as being home to the National Poetry Library and the Arts Council Collection. It is also home to six Resident Orchestras (Aurora Orchestra, Chineke! Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Philharmonia Orchestra).
Our Artistic Mission
Southbank Centre exists to provide great artistic experiences for everyone. Through art, we invite our visitors to enjoy shared cultural encounters together. To gaze. To listen. To be moved. To discover a new idea or a new perspective. We are proud that for the last 70 years, the performances and exhibitions here have moved millions. We have provided a home for art and for artists. A community centred on art, where everyone, no matter their job, helps make the experience.
We create a place where as many people as possible can come together to experience bold, unusual, entertaining and eye-opening work. We want to take people out of the everyday, every day.
Our values
Champion Greatness
We seek out great artists and give them the space to present their best work
Take the lead
We make sure we’re at the forefront of the arts – provoking and inspiring, not just following it
Open up the arts
Not everyone will love everything, but we make sure there’s something here for everyone
We welcome applications from people from a Black, Asian or Ethnically Diverse background or those who are D/deaf or disabled. If you wish to discuss reasonable adjustments such as a BSL interpreter for your interview for this role please indicate this on your application form. Interviews are currently taking place via Zoom or Google Hangouts but if you require support to access these platforms someone from the HRteam will be happy to assist you. If you would like to speak to someone about any adjustments or concerns you can also email [email protected] and we will be in touch with you to make the necessary arrangements.
By attracting people to work for us from a broad range of backgrounds with diverse attitudes, opinions and beliefs we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things. SC is a warm and welcoming place to work, with great aspirations and ambitions to create great and accessible work for all. We pride ourselves in building a supportive environment to enable the development of our staff.
If you feel you have just some of the required skills and experience but meet the person specification, we would still encourage you to apply; we are very open to continuing the training and development of individuals who are self motivated to acquire new skills and knowledge relevant to the role.
