JD Template

Dec 2014

Job Title / Assistant Liaison Librarian, Enquiry Services
Faculty/ School/Department / Library and Learning Resources
Responsible to: / Head of Library Liaison: Enquiry Services
Responsible for: / N/A
Job Purpose
The Assistant Liaison Librarian will be a member of the Customer Services Enquiry librarians’ team. This post contributes to the delivery, development and promotion of enquiry services. The post also contributes to communication with the faculties.
Main activities and responsibilities
1. Enquiries
1.1 To participate in the campus Enquiry Services team, by assisting users through answering enquiries and providing advice in the use of all resources through any communication route, including face to face and electronic support
1.2 To participate in the development of an efficient, effective and innovative enquiry service across all campus libraries using a variety of means
1.3 To participate in research support provision
1.4 To participate in the development of procedures and training for all members of the team
1.5 To receive training, where necessary, in library systems and procedures
1.6 To participate in the monitoring, review, development and promotion of Customer Services policies, procedures and services for the specific area of enquiry services, with a view to delivering the highest quality service
1.7 To undertake and deliver training as appropriate to facilitate use and promotion of all resources and to maintain those skills
2. Liaison
2.1 To participate in the campus team’s close liaison with academic staff to ensure that library stock and services are known, fully exploited and promoted
2.2 To assist in obtaining information, both formally and informally, about the needs of students and academic staff in the faculties and professional services
2.3 To represent Library and Learning Resources as a member of appropriate Faculty committees as delegated by the Head of Library Liaison
2.4 To communicate closely with all other sections within Library and Learning Resources to ensure that library stock and services supporting present and future activities at the campus are the best possible within available resources
3. Teaching
3.1 To provide instruction to users at the help desk and other service points as appropriate
3.2 To provide support for the Learning and Teaching team when necessary
4. Other
4.1 To participate in fixed-term projects in liaison with the Library Management Group and the Heads of L&LR service areas
4.2 To provide support for other University professional services as necessary
4.3 To assist in the development of widening participation, and in the improvement of retention and progression, by participation in University or Library and Learning Resources initiatives
Additional Key Requirements:
Managing people and resources
This post has no supervisory or budgetary responsibility.
Communication
Establish and maintain good communication with the whole of the Customer Services team:
Establish and maintain good communication with the following:
Library users
All Library and Learning Resources staff
General Office
Digital Print Services
IT staff, including Service Desk staff
Teamwork and collaborative working
Work with colleagues to ensure that enquiry services are continuously improved and developed.
Demonstrate flexibility in order to undertake project work and contribute to different areas of Library and Learning Resources when needed.
Work with colleagues in other University and professional libraries with regard to benchmarking against best practice
Other external contacts as needed to ensure effective services
Initiative, problem solving and decision making
Problem solving is an integral part of the post
Initiative and decision making will be expected at the appropriate level, and the post holder must refer onwards when they have reached the limits of their responsibility
Work environment
Be aware of the risks in the work environment and their potential impact on their own work and that of others.
Ensure that appropriate risk management processes are operational within own areas of responsibility.
Person Specification
·  Degree or equivalent
·  Professional postgraduate qualification in library or information related work or equivalent.
·  Experience of working in an HE/FE academic environment
·  Experience of delivering a high quality customer service
·  Committed to delivering high quality customer service
·  Able to demonstrate a customer focused approach to the delivery of a high quality support service.
·  Experience of showing users how to find and use information
·  Familiarity with a wide range of academic resources and information retrieval tools
·  Experience of and enthusiasm for exploiting social media for educational purposes
·  Able to show students around the library to assist with their queries
·  Able to cope with an environment of change
·  Able to communicate effectively with a range of people from different backgrounds and experience
·  Able to work as part of a team
·  Able to innovate
In addition, knowledge and experience in the following areas is desirable:
Project management
Liaison activities
Delivery of information literacy
Professional status
Membership of a relevant professional body such as the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is desirable
Special requirements
Library and Learning Resources staff are expected to take an active approach to continuing professional development. They are also required to maintain the highest levels of security and confidentiality and ensure the integrity of all data, systems and networks used.
The post holder will be expected to work evenings and weekends as appropriate, to ensure the effective operation of library services. The standard hours are:
Tuesdays 11am – 3pm
Wednesdays 11am – 3pm
Thursdays 9am – 4:00 pm
Fridays 11am – 3pm
Late night working will be on a rota basis. Members of staff may also be required to take part in Service or University activities which take place during the evening and at the weekend, such as open days.
Staff are liable to serve at any of the University's places of employment as may be required.
Expectations of all staff
Professional standards
All staff employed by Birmingham City University are expected to exhibit high professional standards which promote and demonstrate the University’s core values of Excellence, People Focused, Partnership Working, Fairness and Integrity.
Equal Opportunities
All staff are expected to understand and enact the University’s commitment to ensuring equality and diversity in all activities. This commitment is enshrined in the Equality Statement and core values.
Dignity at work
Every member of staff has a responsibility to ensure colleagues are treated with dignity and respect.
The University is committed to creating a work environment for all staff that is free from harassment, intimidation and any other forms of bullying at work, where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and professional courtesy.
Health and safety
The arrangements for meeting the University’s health and safety objectives are contained in the Birmingham City University Health and Safety Policy. This includes the responsibilities of key staff and procedures covering the main activities of the University.
All staff are expected to take reasonable care of themselves and those that may be affected by their actions.
Dress code
The University does not operate a formal dress code for its employees, other than for those who are provided with uniform and/or protective clothing. However, employees must ensure that their dress is professional, reasonably smart and appropriate for the situation in which they are working. All staff should ensure that they present a professional image and one that reflects sensitivity to customer perceptions. This may reflect their ethnicity and lifestyle, but should not be provocative or cause offence to those with whom they have contact.
Citizenship
All staff are expected to adhere to good citizenship, being generous with help and support to others, collaborating with colleagues and working for the benefit of the University as a whole. In particular working to provide a positive student experience and achieving excellence in all the University’s activities.
This job description indicates the expectations of staff at this level. Job descriptions are not exhaustive and you may be required to undertake other duties of a similar level and responsibility.