ST JOHN S COLLEGE, OXFORD. COLLEGE LIBRARIAN FURTHER PARTICULARS Grade 8 ( 39,992 47,722 p.a.)

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1 ST JOHN S COLLEGE, OXFORD COLLEGE LIBRARIAN FURTHER PARTICULARS Grade 8 ( 39,992 47,722 p.a.) The College is seeking to appoint a senior and experienced librarian to maintain and develop the College Library and related resources. The post holder will have responsibility for all reader services, care and conservation of the Library s extensive special collections, and staff management, as well as providing input into strategic and long-term planning under the direction of the Fellow Librarian, who represents the interests of the Library to the Governing Body. The post holder will also have the opportunity to contribute to the organisation and furnishing of a new Study Centre that is currently being built adjacent to the Library and will play a key role in the development of plans for a major refurbishment of the College s Laudian Library and Old Library. We are looking for an individual who has previous experience of working in an academic library, shows an enthusiasm for and expertise in caring for special collections, and will be able to deliver a high quality reader service. A degree or postgraduate diploma in Library and/or Information Management is essential as is knowledge of library management and cataloguing software. The appointed person will need to demonstrate a commitment to supporting the goals and ideas of the College s role in higher education and research and will be imaginative in how library services can contribute to those goals. The College Founded in 1555 by Sir Thomas White, St John s is one of the larger colleges in the University of Oxford. Like all colleges, it is an independent, selfgoverning establishment, which functions both as an academic institution and as a social and residential centre for its members. The College has around 650 students and 100 Fellows. For further information about the College, please visit our website at The Library The Library plays a key role in the College s academic life and is a major resource for teaching and learning. It maintains an active, student-focused undergraduate library, whilst also being a repository for the College s collections of historic books and papers, consisting of some 20,000 early printed books, 400 manuscripts (including 200 medieval manuscripts), and the personal libraries of A.E. Houseman and Robert Graves, together with the Graves papers and those of Spike Milligan. The main Library building is housed in the architectural showpiece of the Canterbury Quad and dates from 1

2 the 16 th and 17 th centuries. The Old Library contains the bulk of the College s historic collections; the lending collections for the arts and humanities and for the sciences and social sciences are held in the Laudian Library and adjacent Paddy Room. There is a separate Law Library located in the Kendrew Quad. The Library endeavours to support all subjects studied by the undergraduate population of the College, providing core study resources in a timely fashion and an appealing and supportive study environment. It also aims to support external researchers and others who make use of the historic collections. A major extension to the Library is currently being built to enhance study, presentation and exhibition spaces, and to allow for the consolidation of the storage of collections. This new Study Centre is expected to open in spring Refurbishment of the Laudian Library and Old Library is scheduled to take place in The individual appointed to the role of College Librarian will be expected to contribute substantially to these developments. For more information about the Library please see the website Duties of the Post This is a senior academic librarian appointment, offering varied and rewarding work, with a particular focus in the following four areas. 1. Management of library operations and resources Duties include: General responsibility for the provision of reader services, to a high level, for all members of the College and for the provision of facilities to outside researchers. General responsibility for the care and conservation of all the Library s holdings, including manuscripts, early printed books, and special collections. Answering manuscript and early printed book enquiries, dealing with visits and rights and reproductions requests, and preparing material for loan to exhibitions. Attending termly meetings of the Academic Services Committee and supplying agenda items and reports, in consultation with the Fellow Librarian. Attending project meetings for development of the Study Centre and refurbishment of Laudian and Old Libraries. Overseeing the move of collections to the new Study Centre upon its completion (current schedule: spring 2018) and the removal and temporary storage of the historic collections housed in the Laudian and Old Libraries during a year-long period of refurbishment (current schedule: spring 2018-spring 2019). 2

3 Planning the organisation and furnishing of spaces in the new Study Centre and refurbished Old and Laudian Libraries in consultation with the architects and the broader Library Working Group. Devising management procedures for the new Study Centre and planning the refurbishment of the Old and Laudian Libraries in consultation with senior managers in College and the broader College community. Continuing the maintenance and management of a separate Law Library in Kendrew Quad. Liaising with core user representatives (e.g. JCR, MCR) to ensure services meet their requirements. Devising and delivering induction and information skills sessions to a variety of users. Participating in events to raise the profile of the Library and College for outreach, fund-raising and other purposes (e.g. Library exhibitions, schools education activity sessions, Open Doors Oxford, fund-raising events for the new Study Centre). Coordinating such events with the College s Schools Liaison, Web, and Alumni and Development staff. Liaising with other departments in College, including Works and IT, to maintain the Library s facilities and buildings. Monitoring climatic conditions in all parts of the Library, including stores. Liaising with the Oxford Conservation Consortium to ensure a programme of proper maintenance and care of the Library s historic collections and fabric. 2. Library technology Duties include: Overseeing the effective running of the College Library s participation in the University s library management system (Aleph), including the recording of acquisitions, the description of all printed collections, and the smooth operation of the circulation module. Overseeing the introduction of a new RFID based self-issue and security system in the new Study Centre. Updating the content of the Library section on the College website, overseeing the Library s social media presence (Facebook, Blog, Librarything), and developing strategies for increased digital access to collections, particularly historic collections, including the possible use of digital.bodleian as a platform for these. Supervising and supplying digitisation requests, and liaising with the Web Officer regarding contributions to the College s image database. Ensuring the provision of and maintaining the proper use of any equipment (e.g. photocopiers, terminals) within the Library. 3

4 3. Staffing In addition to the Librarian, the current Library staff comprises a Deputy Librarian, a Graduate Trainee and casual graduate student invigilators. The Librarian and Deputy Librarian report to the Fellow Librarian, who is a member of Governing Body. The Librarian manages the other staff members and undertakes performance reviews for the Graduate Trainee. Further responsibilities include: Overseeing the advertisement and arrangements for interview of new members of staff as required. Supervising invigilation of the Library (by both Library staff and graduates) and all front-desk activities in collaboration with the Deputy Librarian. Reviewing staffing structures as circumstances require. 4. Library budget Duties include: Managing the Library budget (Domus grant), including the preparation of submissions to the Governing Body, via the Fellow Librarian. Drawing up lists of all payments made from the budget; arranging payments, including those from special trust funds allocated to the Library. Liaising, in consultation with the Fellow Librarian, with the Finance Bursar on all matters of Library finance. Selection Criteria for the Post Essential Formal qualifications: Degree (B.A. or equivalent). Masters Degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Library and/or Information Management or equivalent. Experience and abilities: Substantial experience (at least five years) of working in an academic library and with collections of manuscripts and early printed books. A demonstrable enthusiasm for and expertise in working with special collections. Use of Library systems: experience of introducing and using IT systems and familiarity with cataloguing software; familiarity with the 4

5 general principles of library management systems for acquisitions, circulation, cataloguing, and serials management. Ability to assist readers in the use of SOLO and in using on-line and networked material available through Bodleian Libraries. Excellent interpersonal, management and communication skills; the ability to liaise with a range of people. Ability to motivate and manage staff in a positive manner and work cooperatively as part of a small team. Initiative and enthusiasm for library services and a commitment to higher education and its goals. Desirable CILIP Chartership. Experience of using Aleph as a Library management system. Some degree of familiarity with rare books cataloguing, manuscript catalogues and standards for archival cataloguing, or enthusiasm for acquiring such familiarity. Terms and Conditions of Employment Salary: Appointment will be at Grade 8 of the University s salary scale for academic-related staff currently 39,992-47,722 p.a. (with a discretionary range to 52,132 p.a). The appointment will be made on the scale according to qualifications and experience. Hours of work: This is a full-time position, entailing 35 hours per week. Normal working hours are 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (or, by agreement with the Fellow Librarian, a.m. to 6.00 p.m.), Monday to Friday inclusive, with one hour for lunch. Some flexibility will be required according to the needs of the College. No additional remuneration is paid for hours worked beyond normal working hours. Holidays: Annual leave entitlement is 38 days, which includes 8 public holidays and 5 fixed days to be taken at Christmas when the College is closed. The Librarian will be expected to take holiday leave outside of University Full Term and to liaise with the Deputy Librarian over the dates for holidays to ensure adequate supervision during Library opening hours. It is expected that the Librarian will work those Bank Holidays that fall within term, with a day off in lieu to be taken during vacations. The holiday year begins on 1 January and ends on 31 December. Pension: The post is pensionable under the Universities Superannuation Scheme. 5

6 Meals: The post holder is entitled to free lunches in the Senior Common Room or Hall on days when working at the College site (and when the College kitchens are open). Probationary and notice periods: The appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period, during which time the notice period will be one month on either side. Once the appointment has been confirmed, the notice period on either side will be: a) After the initial probationary period, and up to four years service one month; b) For each full year of continuous service after four years service not less than one week for each continuous year of service, up to a maximum of twelve weeks notice. APPOINTMENT PROCEDURE Applications consisting of a covering letter explaining your suitability for the post and a full CV with complete education and employment history should be sent, preferably by , to bursary.manager@sjc.ox.ac.uk, or by post to Bursary Manager, St John s College, Oxford OX1 3JP. Your application should arrive no later than noon Friday, 20 October. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Interviews are expected to be held in the week of 6 November. Please give the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two people who are prepared to give you a reference for this position. Your referees should be people who have direct experience of your librarianship through working closely with you for a considerable period, and at least one of them should be someone who has directly supervised your work in your most recent appointment. It is helpful if you can tell us briefly how each referee knows you. References will not be taken up before the interview stage. The appointment will be subject to the provision of proof of the right to work in the UK. Applicants who would need a work visa if appointed to the post are asked to note that under the UK s points-based migration system they will need to demonstrate that they have sufficient points, and in particular that: (i) they have sufficient English language skills (evidenced by having passed a test in English, or coming from a majority English-speaking country, or having taken a degree taught in English). and (ii) that they have sufficient funds to maintain themselves and any dependents until they receive their first salary payment. Further information is available at 6

7 Data protection All data supplied by applicants will be used only for the purposes of determining their suitability for the post, and will be held in accordance with the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the College s Data Protection Policy and recruitment monitoring process. Equality of Opportunity St John s College is committed to providing equality of opportunity and avoiding unlawful discrimination. The policy and practice of the College requires that all staff are afforded equal opportunities within employment and that entry into employment with the College and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. Subject to statutory provisions, no applicant or member of staff will be treated less favourably than another because of his or her sex, marital status, sexual orientation, racial group, age or disability. 7