JOB DESCRIPTION DEPUTY LIBRARIAN

Transcription

1 JOB DESCRIPTION DEPUTY LIBRARIAN Job Title: Salary: Reporting to: Location: Deputy Librarian 18,000 to 20,000 p.a. depending on qualifications, skills and experience The Senior School Librarian Highgate, London Type of contract: Part Time Fixed Term (ending 4 July 2014). Term Time plus 2 weeks. Working 32 hours per week over 4 days. The School is willing to be flexible on the number of hours worked to a minimum of 24 hours per week (the above salary will be adjusted accordingly). BACKGROUND Highgate School was established in 1565 by a Royal Charter of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the First. Sir Roger Cholmeley, our Founder, was granted Letters Patent to found a grammar school for good education and instruction. Today Highgate is a flourishing coeducational independent school which includes the Senior School for pupils aged 11-18; the Junior School for pupils aged 7-11 and the Pre-Preparatory School for pupils aged 3-7. There are currently some 1,550 pupils at Highgate and the School employs approximately 400 full-time or part-time teaching and support staff. The School is situated in one of the most attractive and sought after areas of North London, 20 minutes by tube from Central London and adjacent to Hampstead Heath. The hilltop site in Highgate Village is the historic site of the Senior School. A few hundred yards along Hampstead Lane in Bishopswood Road lie the Junior and Pre-Preparatory Schools and the extensive playing fields, adjacent to the open spaces of Kenwood and Hampstead Heath. The Northern Line underground station is a short walk away and it is four miles to Central London. Working at Highgate offers the opportunity to be part of a vibrant and welcoming community, committed to academic excellence and the highest standards of pastoral care for its pupils. The Governors consider the development of excellence in the education offered to the pupils to be the underlying purpose of activities undertaken by all staff. Highgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. THE LIBRARY The new Sir Martin Gilbert Library was first opened for use by the pupils at the beginning of September. The hammer-beam roofed building, originally constructed in to the designs of Fredrick Pepys Cockerell, is Grade 2 listed, so great efforts were made to retain the traditional atmosphere, whilst putting in place a mezzanine level and IT provision. The library is a technologically advanced study space with access to a multitude of books, magazines and online libraries. It is a busy, scholarly environment that encourages a real sense of academic study as well as providing soft seating areas to promote reading for pleasure. THE ROLE The main purpose of this role will be to support the Senior School Librarian and Assistant Librarian in the provision of a high quality, efficient day to day library service for the School. JDDepLibNE Page 1 of 5 12-Nov-13

2 This post would be ideal for a graduate library student (or a student currently engaged in a graduate library programme), wishing to work in the education environment. Whether wishing to specialise in the future as a qualified librarian in the independent schools sector, further education or academic librarianship, this post will allow the successful candidate to immerse themselves in a library setting which directly supports librarian-led research, study and information literacy skills. All of the skills which will be acquired in this post will be transferable to education settings on many levels. An interest in working with pupils at secondary and sixth form levels is essential, as well as working collaboratively with teaching staff under the direction of the Senior Librarian. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direction of the Senior School Librarian and working alongside the Assistant Librarian: Under the guidance of the Senior School Librarian, and with consultation with the English department, prepare reading lists for year groups to be placed on the library portal. Under direction of Senior School Librarian, to assist with delivery of research and information literacy skills classes. Assist in the general management of resources (print and electronic), including suggesting relevant resources for selection. Assist the Senior School Librarian with subscriptions print and online keeping up to date with renewals, trying out new resources, etc. Rove the library to provide general support and assistance to pupils including assisting pupils in the location of resources fiction and nonfiction. Help promote reading for pleasure by being aware of teen and young adult fiction and be able to direct pupils towards new books. Work with Senior School Librarian to place relevant resource materials and links onto the Library page. Promote student reviews to be placed initially on Eclipse. Work with Senior School Librarian to research potential social media links for Library (pupil use only). To take a lead role in a variety of one-off projects as guided by the Senior School Librarian. Use the Library Management system (currently Eclipse) to assist with the processing and cataloguing of material and to deal with everyday circulation. Prepare usage reports, updates and other information required by Senior School Librarian. To supervise pupils working in the library ensuring that pupils maintain acceptable behavior. Staff the circulation desk at appropriate times; deal with user enquiries. Answer enquiries regarding reference materials online. Assist with all general library duties: circulation, cataloguing, shelving. To deputise for the Senior School Librarian when required. To maintain confidentiality at all times in respect of School related matters. Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of pupils at all times. These duties and responsibilities are intended as a guide. They are not exhaustive: the Deputy Librarian will be expected to undertake any reasonable task or responsibility as required by the Senior School Librarian or their representative. PERSON SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL CRITERIA DESIRABLE CRITERIA Qualifications/ Professional Bodies Educated to degree level or equivalent Graduate library qualification or presently working towards a graduate library qualification. Experience Demonstrable front line library experience - all aspects of library operations including issuing books, cataloging, using library management JDDepLibNE Page 2 of 5 12-Nov-13 Familiarity with e-resources. Familiarity with educational learning platforms. Experience working in the education

3 Skills/knowledge Personal Attributes systems. Experience of research and information retrieval and the use of digital material. Customer service experience. Strong organisational and time management skills. An excellent IT skills including knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook and Library Management Systems. Knowledge and awareness of social media. Sound knowledge of literature, particularly for young adults/teenagers. Ability to share enthusiasm for reading and to promote literacy High level of attention to detail and accuracy in all work undertaken. Ability to work calmly under pressure, multi-task and manage a diverse workload. A good level of spoken and written English. Strong customer focus. Energy and enthusiasm. Approachable with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to build and maintain strong relationships and work as a member of a team. Flexible with a can-do approach and able to work effectively and use initiative without constant supervision. A proactive approach to work, and meeting targets. An ability to identify process improvement needs and suggest solutions. The ability to maintain in strictest confidence any information received concerning School matters. Willingness to undertake work related training. A sense of humour. sector. Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding policies. Knowledge of using Library Management Systems in a school library environment A keen and avid reader CHILD PROTECTION This role will not normally involve unsupervised contact with pupils; however in the context of his/her employment the member of staff will frequently be in the presence of children and will therefore have to have appropriate levels of training in child protection. All members of staff must comply with the School s Safeguarding & Welfare Policy which is posted on the staff intranet. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the policy. A copy of this policy will accompany all offers of employment. JDDepLibNE Page 3 of 5 12-Nov-13

4 TERMS & CONDITIONS The terms and conditions below do not form part of a contract and are for information only. Should you be offered and accept employment with Highgate School you will receive a contract setting out in full your terms and conditions. All offers of employment are subject to the receipt of references satisfactory to us, proof of eligibility to work in the UK and DBS checks. Contract This is a fixed term contract ending on 4 July This is a part time role working term time plus two weeks (pro rata). Salary 18,000 to 20,000 p.a. depending on qualifications, skills and experience Hours of Work This is a part time role working 32 hours per week over four days. Normal working hours for this role are Monday to Saturday from 9am until 6pm. Actual days to be agreed on appointment but it is expected that this post will cover Saturdays during exam periods only. There is a need to be flexible about hours in order to carry out these duties and responsibilities effectively and no additional payment is made in this respect. In addition some evening and weekend working may be required. These hours must be agreed in advance with your line manager and time off in lieu may be given at your line manager s discretion. Lunch Period There is an unpaid lunch break of an hour. A complimentary lunch is available in the Dining Hall. Probationary Period This appointment will be subject to the completion of a probationary period of six months to the satisfaction of the Governors. Holidays The salary includes 25 days (pro rata) paid holiday entitlement (plus public holidays) to be taken during School holidays. Pension The School will provide a defined benefit pension whereby staff will earn a pension benefit of 1/80 of final salary for each year of membership for which the staff contribution rate will be 6%. Leisure Facilities Staff have free access to the School s sport facilities including a swimming pool and a fitness suite. Confidentiality The need for absolute confidentiality and discretion, both within the School and the wider community, must be understood. Dress Code All staff are expected to set an example to pupils and should dress appropriately at all times. Smoking Highgate School operates a no smoking policy and smoking is not permitted on any part of the campus. Health & Safety The School takes its obligations under the Health & Safety at Work Act seriously and the postholder will be required to comply with all aspects of the School s Health & Safety policy, particularly in relation to safe working practices. All staff must keep up to date with the School s health and safety policies which are regularly updated and posted on the staff intranet. Equality and Diversity The School is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. To enable us to make any reasonable adjustments please let us know at application stage if you have any special requirements. As a member of the support staff, this role is responsible to the Bursar. Job descriptions may be updated by the Bursar from time to time to accommodate the changing needs of the School. For operational reasons, the School reserves the right to transfer you to alternative duties. For this reason it is a condition of employment that you are willing to do so, if requested, from time to time. November 2013 JDDepLibNE Page 4 of 5 12-Nov-13

5 APPLICATION PROCEDURE Applications should be made to: Natasha Edward, Human Resources Manager, Highgate School, North Road, London N6 4AY. Applicants are required to write a separate covering letter outlining their suitability for the post, which should be accompanied by the following: (1) The School s application form. (2) A full curriculum vitae. (3) Copies of any qualifications and certificates mentioned in the application. (4) Details of two referees. Closing date: Closing date Midday 29 November Applications will be considered on receipt. JDDepLibNE Page 5 of 5 12-Nov-13