JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Graduate Trainee Librarian
RESPONSIBLE TO: College Librarian
HOURS OF WORK: Full time (36.5 hours per week)
DURATION: 1 year, fixed term, beginning 5 September 2016
The Library
Queens’ Library is divided into two parts: a student library (called the War Memorial Library) comprising c. 30,000 books, and the Old Library, containing c. 30,000 early printed books and manuscripts. The latter retains the building it had at the college’s foundation in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou and is thus one of the earliest library reading rooms in Cambridge. The War Memorial Library is situated in what was the college’s chapel. First constructed in 1448-9, this underwent extensive remodelling in 1993-4, making it a highly attractive space in which to work.
Purpose
This post is designed to provide a wide range of practical library experience prior to undertaking a formal library and information studies qualification. The post holder will assist with day-to-day operational tasks and undertake specific rare book-related projects in the Old Library. Project work may be tailored to suit individual interests within the scope of the library’s needs. The successful candidate will play a full part in the library team’s ongoing efforts to enhance services and promote the library to its readers.
As this is a training post, there will be opportunities to attend training sessions both within the University and externally, and to take part in visits and other professional activities arranged on behalf of graduate trainees in Cambridge. Although most of these sessions take place during work hours, the post holder is also expected to contribute to their own professional development outside of work hours.
Specific Tasks
1. Regular shifts at the library enquiry desk, including issuing, returning and renewing stock and registering users on the Voyager library management system, and answering queries from staff, students and visiting researchers.
2. Shelving, tidying and weeding stock, book moving.
3. Checking reading lists, liaising with other staff as required in order to update stock.
4. Cataloguing and classifying modern printed books using MARC21, AACR2 (and RDA when appropriate), LCSH and the Bliss classification scheme.
5. Processing stock and carrying out basic repairs.
6. Carrying out induction tours.
7. Assisting with the library’s programme of communication and promotion to students, the wider research community and the public via social media, the website, newsletters and other means.
8. Contributing to the library’s rare books blog.
9. Assisting with the curation of exhibitions in the Old Library (normally two per annum, one of which is assembled primarily by the Graduate Trainee) and other events aimed at utilising and raising awareness of the College’s special collections.
10. Assisting with the college’s Heritage Lottery funded project to catalogue and publicise its Renaissance collections (schools/public outreach, mounting book displays, cataloguing, etc.)
11. Invigilation of researchers consulting materials from the special collections and those visiting exhibitions in the Old Library.
12. Undertaking any other duties or specific projects as requested by the College Librarian.
Person Specification / Desirable / Essential / EvidenceEducation and qualifications
Good first degree / x / Application
Experience
Experience of working in a customer-service environment (e.g. shop or café) / x / Application
Some experience (paid or voluntary) of library, information or archive work / x / Application, interview
Experience of a range of libraries as a user / x / Application, interview
Abilities
Ability to work effectively as part of a team, with a collaborative approach to achieving team and organisational goals / x / Application, interview
Ability to communicate effectively and confidently with a range of people, including students, fellows, visiting researchers and school children / x / Application, interview
Excellent written communication skills / x / Application
Ability to deliver high standards of customer service under pressure / x / Application, interview
Ability to undertake routine work diligently, accurately and positively / x / Application, test
Ability to prioritise a diverse workload / x / Application, interview
IT skills
Good basic IT skills (MS Word, Excel, email, internet) / x / Application, interview
Proficiency in searching library catalogues and other relevant electronic resources / x / Application, interview
Experience of editing websites and / or blogs / x / Application, interview
Personal qualities
Commitment to delivering a first-rate library service / x / Application, interview
Fitness to undertake physical duties, including shelving and book moving / x / Application, interview
Genuine interest in and enthusiasm for a career in library and information work / x / Application, interview
Pleasant, good-humoured and courteous approach / x / Application, interview