Learning and Information Services. Job Description

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LIS/JD/Subject Librarian 4.11 1

Learning and Information Services

Job Description

Post Title:

Subject Librarian

Reference Number: S861

Salary Grade:

Grade 6

Department:

Learning and Information Services

Base Location:

Francis Close Hall Campus/Oxstalls Campus

Hours per Week: 37 No of Weeks worked per annum: FTE: 1

Special Conditions:

Occasional Bank Holiday, evening and weekend working may be required. The majority of annual leave should normally be taken in University vacation periods. Vacation hours may vary. Term-time leave will be allowed following discussion with the Line Manager. Although a base location may be indicated, the post holder could be instructed to work at any premises the University occupies and may be required to work at any University site or any other reasonable location where the University is undertaking its business.

_____________________________________________________________________ General

1. The Mission of the Department is to support learning, teaching and research in the University by leading, managing and developing a range of integrated information systems, resources and services that are focused on the needs of learners.

2. Learning Centres provide information, resources, learning environments, advice and user support for the learning, teaching, research and consultancy activities of the University. Services include academic liaison, reference and enquiry, information literacy, collection development, resource management and access, media services, and circulation of materials.

3. Purpose of Job: to undertake academic liaison and support; to develop and deliver services and manage collections to meet the needs of staff and students within a range of academic programmes in a designated Faculty; to contribute to planning and policy-making for LIS services; to participate in service development projects.

Team working and a commitment to the provision of customer-focused services in a technology rich environment are important aspects of the post.

There is an emphasis on collaboration with Faculties to promote and develop resource collections and access to information.

4. Key Contacts: internal University staff and students, visitors and external educational and commercial organisations at a local, regional, and national level.

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LIS/JD/Subject Librarian 4.11 2 Main Duties and Responsibilities

Line Manager: Faculty Librarian Operational Manager: Faculty Librarian

Responsible for: Library Information Technologists in absence of Faculty Librarian 1 Primary Functions

1.1 To identify and analyse the information needs of students and staff, and develop, deliver and monitor effective, value-added services appropriate to those needs.

1.2 To deliver and promote high quality customer care practice to students, members of staff, visitors and other users of the Learning Centre.

1.3 To be an active member of a cross-campus team of Librarians, contributing to the development and continuous improvement of resources and services for the designated Faculty, as well as generic information resources within the post holder’s base location.

1.4 To maintain and develop specialist skills and knowledge that support the work of the Department as outlined above in General 2. In particular for this post to undertake the following:

Academic liaison

• to provide a principal channel of communication between Learning Centres and academic staff in the designated Faculty

• to represent LIS on Course Boards to ensure effective liaison with teaching and research staff in establishing information needs and contribute to formulating policy and service development to enhance the responsiveness of Learning Centre services to the Faculty

• to provide professional knowledge and expertise on information resources and services for the Faculty to ensure that the needs of their teaching, learning and research strategies are met

• to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the curriculum and the information and research resources needed to support it

• where appropriate to liaise with external agencies and partner institutions to ensure effective collaboration and provision of services

Teaching and Learning User Education

• to develop, deliver and promote an effective enquiry and reference service and other user education activities for both campus-based and off-campus users

• to advise learners on the use of software and applications in Learning Centres, printed and electronic information sources, specialist IT, audio-visual and media facilities and assist them in exploiting resources both within the Learning Centres and elsewhere Information Literacy

• to develop, promote, deliver and assess information and research skills and learning support materials for students and staff

• to work with other LIS and University staff dealing with Quality Assurance to ensure the effectiveness and quality of programmes

• to exploit and promote information resources and services through seminars, workshops, publications, web pages, etc

Collection Management

 to work with the Faculty Librarian in managing allocated materials budgets for designated subject areas

 to develop, manage and promote (including the design of user interfaces, and online support and guidance) an appropriately diverse range of print-based and electronic resources, maximising access and availability in consultation with academic staff and the Faculty Librarian

 to implement systems for the control and retrieval of resources, including cataloguing and classification according to international standards (e.g. AACR2, DDC22, Library of Congress, etc)

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LIS/JD/Subject Librarian 4.11 3 Quality Assurance

• to participate and take an active role in internal and external quality processes, and support course development; e.g. as a member of Course Boards; course

development, validation and PRR processes Service Development

• to initiate and assist in the development and support of services and activities within Learning Centres

Collaborative Partners

• where appropriate, to liase with external agencies and partner institutions to ensure effective collaboration and provision of services

• to advise on appropriate resource budgets with partner institutions

• to maintain a knowledge of and promote the collections of partner institutions, including the management of agreements for the assimilation of collections where required Professional Representation

• to represent the University in active membership of appropriate national professional bodies

1.5 To participate in enquiry desk rotas and other routines necessary for the maintenance of services.

1.6 To contribute to the development of the team, in activities such as: team meetings, working groups, assisting in the training and development of other members of staff; contributing to staff recruitment and selection; and identifying and promoting best practice.

1.7 To support the University’s mission by working collaboratively to provide high quality learning, teaching and research services and by promoting services to the Gloucestershire community. 1.8 To contribute to the development of project proposals for external funding.

1.9 To undertake personal professional development related to the work of the Department and to participate in and take an active role in, Department development programmes, and assist in the development and delivery of in-house staff training.

1.10 To take responsibility for co-ordinating the activities of Library Information Technologists in the absence of the Faculty Librarian and supervise the work of Faculty teams during this time. 2 Secondary Functions

2.1 To analyse data and provide management information on the use, availability and value for money of University services and systems, to inform planning and development.

2.2 To represent the Department on University and external Committees as directed by the Line Manager.

2.3 To be responsible for ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998, and all University policies and procedures in relation to the handling of personal data, Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety.

2.4 To undertake any other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the grade of the post, properly directed by the Line Manager. These variations will not change the general character of the post or the level of responsibility entailed.

This job description is a guide to the work the post holder will initially be required to undertake. It may be amended from time to time to meet changing circumstances by mutual agreement. It is expected the post holder and his/her manager will regularly review the job description. These discussions will normally take place during the Staff Development Review interview. Where appropriate, an agreed amended job description will be produced or explicitly authorised by the Personnel and Staff Development Department.

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PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title: Subject Librarian

Faculty/Department: Learning and Information Services

Grade: Grade 6

Essential [E] Desirable [D]

1 Attainments Qualifications

• Degree and / or Postgraduate LIS qualification (or equivalent) or relevant professional experience

• Good ICT skills evidenced by qualifications and / or

experience

• PGCHE (or equivalent) • Chartered membership of CILIP or equivalent 2 Previous Experience • Post-qualification LIS experience in HE library environment

• Experienced user of Microsoft Office applications, e-mail, internet and library

management systems • Experience of successful

delivery of user education programmes

• Experience of collection development and management

• Experience of successfully developing and promoting information services and resources

• Experience of working in a learning support environment • Evidence of professional

involvement, e.g. active participation in professional associations, publications, conferences etc 3 Training and Specialist Skills • Excellent presentation, communication and organisational skills

• Ability to teach/train in large and small groups and one-to-one

• Successful promotion of resources through user education, printed and web-based information

• High standard of professional skills: enquiry work, collection management, information retrieval

• Able to explain complex concepts clearly and to test they have been understood

• Awareness of developments in the delivery of electronic materials in an HE environment • Experience of developing Web

pages

• Familiar with the application of information quality standards to online information retrieval • Familiar with e-learning issues

and web-based teaching

4 Disposition • Excellent interpersonal skills • Ability to communicate

effectively at all levels with learners and colleagues from a diversity of backgrounds • Positive approach to team work • Flexible approach to work • Able to set own priorities and

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• Ability to work collaboratively on projects with good time management and

organisational skills

• Commitment to the provision of high quality customer-focussed services

• High degree of motivation, commitment and enthusiasm • Innovative and proactive

attitude to service provision • Ability to work calmly under

pressure and meet deadlines. • Show evidence of continuing

professional development 5 Exceptional

Physical Requirements

• Quantities of books, other materials and media equipment need to be lifted and carried to shelves, involving stretching upwards and bending downwards

• Eyesight: must be able to work for periods using a VDU 6 Circumstances • Must be able to work evenings,

weekends, and Bank Holidays as required