Library Assistant

East London

£11.92 per hour

Thursday 12:00 to 20:00 / Friday 12:00 to 20:00 / Saturday 10:45 to 18:15 / Sunday 10:45 to 18:15 /

Monday 12:00 to 20:00

3-month contract starting end of May

About the company

Our higher education client is looking to secure an experienced Library Assistant on a 3-month contract starting at the end of May to assist them through the summer months. You will provide and maintain an effective study environment for teaching and research by access monitoring and control and by managing behaviour of library users. 

What you’ll be doing

• Provide customer focused support at a high level to staff, students and visitors that are using information resources, library facilities or learning environments
• Helping users locate information resources at the shelves and via catalogue searches
• Providing general assistance to users at services points or whilst on duty in one of the study areas / learning environments
• Demonstrating and encouraging the use of self-service systems for issuing, renewing and returning library materials, fine payments and account top up facilities
• Using the Library Management System to carry out circulation activities that require staff assistance
• Answering enquiries by telephone or face to face; explaining access rights and circulation policies to library users
• Use knowledge, experience and judgement to resolve queries, referring as necessary to supervisors
• Providing assistance with library equipment such as the online public access catalogues, photocopiers and printers
• To support library users in their use of library IT and AV facilities, including related software applications
• Sorting, arranging and shelving books, periodicals and other material by collection and class mark
• Tidying the study areas and learning environments; carrying out stock pick-ups from around the library
• Monitoring library equipment and replacing consumables e.g. receipt rolls, toner, paper
• Ensuring all equipment and facilities are safe to use and in good working order, reporting faults to the appropriate member of staff
• To register Staff for a range of library services
• To undertake access management duties including supporting access control systems, operating library access schemes; and student disciplinary procedures as required
• To participate in managing the behaviour of library users including monitoring study areas and imposes penalties for non-compliance with library rules and regulations
• To carry out a range of administrative and practical tasks in support of other library teams
• Assisting with general clerical duties, photocopying, data entry, collects and delivers mail etc
• Assists with library opening/closing and safety/security routines, including setting up and closing down service points; switching equipment on and off in public areas; admission and exit control
• Assists with moving and organising library furniture as needed
• Assisting with induction and training talks and tours, open days and other events
• Carries out duties within guidelines and timetables provided by Team Leader
• To assert library regulations in relation to the circulation system and use of the library environments in other respects as appropriate
• Decides, on the basis of advice from other and on personal experience, whether a problem is straightforward and can be dealt with immediately or whether it should be referred to senior or professional staff
• Exercises appropriate discretion, based on training and experience, on how best to apply Library policy in order to achieve a satisfactory outcome for the Library and its users in any given situation
• Decides, on the basis of training and experience, on how best to handle interactions at busy times in order to provide the best overall level of service to Library users
• Information Support Assistants may be required to assist with the planning and prioritising of work for a project in line with manager’s general instruction
• Communicates and liaises with library service users
• Liaises with library and archive colleagues
• Communicates with other members of staff (especially Estates and Security staff)
• Follows established procedures for handling and recording fine payments and other cash transactions
• Organise and prioritise own work activities within established routines or procedures and subject to minimal supervision, to support the achievements of work objectives
• May be required to work with no on-site supervision during evenings and weekends referring any issues to Team Leader on duty at another site as necessary

The above list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and the jobholder may be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the level of the role, as reasonable requested by their line manager.

Why you’ll be hired

To be considered for this role you will require:

• Knowledge of academic library and information services within the Higher Education environment
• Customer oriented with the ability to relate to staff, students and colleagues in a pleasant and confident manner
• Experience of supervising staff
• Good secondary education to GCSE equivalent standard (including English and Maths)
• Education to A Level equivalent standard 
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to respond calmly in difficult situations
• Ability to work in a physically demanding role which regularly involves manual handling, extended periods time of standing up, and extended periods of time working at a busy service point
• Good written skills including attention to detail and a high level of accuracy
• Experience of working with information systems and supporting others in the use of IT
• Good IT skills, including spreadsheets, email, word processing and databases (Microsoft Office)
• Ability to work flexibly and co-operatively within and across teams
• Able to work unsupervised and exercise initiative
• Ability to prioritise a varied workload and meet deadlines
• Ability to work across the various campuses from time to time
• Commitment to continuous learning and personal development

Why you should apply

This is a great opportunity to put your Academic library environment experience to the test in a fantastic and collaborative environment

If you are interested in learning more: Please get in touch on 020 7378 5468 or  020 7378 5459 on Ioanna.fytilopoulou@suehill.com  or Daniel. rose@suehill.com