Collections Services Assistant

Collections Services Assistant
Under the supervision of the Collections Services Manager, and Collections Services Supervisors, provide support for the Library’s collection management and development activities as part of the Collection Management Support Team. Working with physical collections in the main Library and Library Research Annexe, the team assists in the maintenance, processing, and access to the Library’s collections.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**
1. Participate in the ongoing collection maintenance programme, in liaison with the Collection Services Manager and Collections Services Supervisors, ensuring that identified materials for relegation/discard are dealt with appropriately and catalogue entries updated.
2. Assist with digitisation projects managed by Collection Services including delivering the Scan & Send service, under the direction of Collections Services Supervisors
3. Support major collection moves within the library or between the library, its branches and/or its Research Annexe, under the direction of the Collection Services Team Supervisors
4. Undertake the physical processing of new library materials, attaching labels and other marks of ownership, ensuring that quality standards are maintained and targets met
5. Manage the daily dispatch of materials requested by users from the Library Research Annexe, liaise with users, Library Services and Archives & Special Collections over access to requested materials.
7. Provide support for Head of Collection Development in the acquisition and checking of donated materials, liaising with the Collections Services Team supervisors
8. Work on a rota basis between the main library and the Library Research Annexe
9. Undertake other duties as directed by senior colleagues.

**Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience**

**Knowledge**

**Essential**
Al Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post gained through working in a similar role. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 4 in English and Mathematics (National 4) or equivalent, and some experience of working in a similar role.

**Skills**

**Essential**
C1 Good communication and interpersonal skills (written & oral).
C2 Attention to detail and the ability to work to a high level of accuracy in all work undertaken.
C3 Manual handling skills.
C4 Good IT skills, and confidence in learning new hardware and software as required.
C5 Ability to gain knowledge of work routines and utilise simple office equipment.
C6 Able to multi-task and work flexible.
C7 Good organizational skills.

**Experience**

**Essential**
E1 Relevant work experience.
E2 Previous experience of working in a team.
E4 Previous experience of working in situations dealing with requests/enquiries from with multiple stakeholders, e.g. other Library departments, senior library staff, academics, and users.

**Desirable**
F1 Work experience in a library or information service.
F2 Experience of using Sierra Library Management System.

**Job Features**

**Dimensions/Accountabilities**
The post sits within Collections Services department of the Library. The post holder will work closely with the Collections Services Team supervisors and the Collections Services Manager. The post works on a flexible basis between the main Library and the Library Research Annexe (LRA), depending on current projects and priorities. The Collection Services Team consists of two Collections Services Supervisors and 3.6 Library Assistants, but working with a larger team of colleagues will be required during projects, e.g. major stock moves. The team process ca. 15,000 new books annually, process and deliver ca. 2500 user requests for research materials from the LRA to the main Library per year, and handle approximately 10000 books annually, relegated or deaccessioned from the main library, including the updating of relevant catalogue entries.

**Planning and Organising**
- Prioritise workload duties as appropriate, reacting to changes in demand or requirements as directed by a supervisor.

**Decision Making**
- Respond to user and staff enquiries, resolving such queries where possible, within appropriate guidelines, escalating to senior colleagues as required.

**Internal/External Relationships**
- Communicate daily with Collection Services Supervisors
- Liaise with Collections Services Manager and Head of Collection Development in the provision of support for collection management activities.
- Liaise with the Facilities Manager in connection with the maintenance of buildings and adherence to health and safety guidance.
- Liaise with colleagues in the Library Services, Metadata Services, Special Collections, and the branch libraries.
- Communicate with users around access to collections via digital services such as scan and send.

**Problem Solving**
- Respond to unpredictable changes in level of work
- Resolve routine work problems independently

**Other**
- Compet