Deputy Librarian

**Deputy Librarian**

**London**

**£20.13 per hour**

**Start Feb 2023 for 2 months**

**36.5 hours per week**

**About the company**

Sue Hill Recruitment are presently recruiting for a Deputy Librarian for our Higher Education client to provide cover for a 2-month fixed term contract.

The Library primarily supports staff, students and researchers but also serves the wider academic community, both within the UK and internationally, as well as practising professional architects.

The Library day team is formed of the Librarian, Subject Liaison Librarian and Library Assistants. There is a separate team of evening and Saturday staff (managed by the Head of Evening and Weekend Services) and a shelver (managed by the Service OperationsSupervisor).

**PURPOSE OF THE ROLE**

The role works with colleagues across Library Services taking a collaborative approach to the development of services and resources to support students, academics and researchers as outlined in the departmental strategy

**TASKS AND DUTIES**
- Work with the Librarian to coordinate a high level of service delivery, in line with Library Services procedures and practices, and in the context of the Library’s commitment to Customer Service Excellence.
- Line manage the Library Assistants, and have oversight of their training and development needs.
- Manage the library desk rota and ensure minimum daily staffing levels are in place, arranging cover when required.
- Responsible for overseeing usage and staff training on all processes using Alma such as circulation, interlending and document supply and processing. Also responsible for all cash reconciliation and banking.
- To assist the Librarian in monitoring of service activity levels and quality, and provide statistical or summary reports.
- Work with the Librarian and Subject Liaison Librarian in planning and delivering information skills training sessions, in consultation with academic colleagues. Lead on planning and facilitating student library induction sessions.
- To work with the Librarian and Subject Liaison Librarian in managing the collection including book purchasing, weeding and disposal of material.
- To work with the Librarian on projects and initiatives, for example building redevelopments, wellbeing and sustainability for staff and student.
- Regular liaison with the Head of Customer Services, Head of Evening & Weekend Services, Library Shelving team and all other libraries, academics and the Faculty.
- To deputise for the Librarian on all tasks, as and when required.

**PERSON SPECIFICATION**
- Educated to degree level
- Qualification in librarianship / information science advantageous
- Significant experience of working in a busy library service, and using print and online information sources
- Experience of working accurately and with attention to detail
- Experience of using initiative to solve problems either individually or as part of a team
- Experience of line managing staff
- Excellent customer service skills, and the ability to coach team members on good customer service
- Ability to work effectively both as a member and as a leader of a team
- Excellent oral communication skills, including the ability to provide user training that conveys information clearly and accurately
- Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to write clear guidelines and instructions
- Experience of using tact, diplomacy, and of dealing with difficult situations robustly but politely
- Good organisational and time management skills, able to manage a varied workload, delegate as appropriate, and meet deadlines