UCL LIBRARY SERVICES
Information for applicants for the post of
Library Assistant – Issue Desk (Cruciform Library) ref: 54/07/08 UCL – a university, a community, a world-class reputation… UCL is one of the UK’s leading universities; a world-class multidisciplinary research and teaching institution, whose staff and former students have included 19 Nobel Prize winners. Founded in 1826, UCL was the first university in England to admit students regardless of race, religion or gender. It continues to thrive on the creativity and diversity of its community which today comprises 8,000 staff, and 12,000 undergraduates and 7,000 graduate students from 130 countries across the globe. Constitutionally part of the federal University of London, UCL is in practice an independent university, with an annual turnover of over £450 million. Its 70 departments span arts and humanities, social and historical sciences, law, architecture and the built environment, engineering sciences, mathematical and physical sciences, life and clinical sciences, and medicine. UCL includes academic units as diverse as the UCL Slade School of Fine Art, the UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies and the UCL Institute of Child Health, which is associated with Great Ormond Street Hospital. 75% of UCL’s departments received ratings of ‘excellent’ in national teaching quality reviews carried out between 1993 and 2001 and 60 departments achieved top (grade 5 and 5*) ratings in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise. As a result of its track record, UCL receives substantial funding from government and charities, and more than £250 million is currently being invested in state-of-the-art facilities for cutting-edge research and teaching. Situated at the heart of one of the world’s greatest cities, UCL’s historic central campus in Bloomsbury is within easy reach of several rail and underground stations, the Eurostar terminal and Heathrow airport.
Paul Ayris, MA, PhD Director of UCL Library Services & Copyright Officer UCL Library Services University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 7834 Fax: +44 (0)20 7679 7373 E-mail: p.ayris@ucl.ac.uk
UCL Library Services UCL Library Services has almost 2 million items and subscribes to over 12,000 journals in a combination of print and electronic format covering the sixty or so subjects which are taught in the College. UCL Library Services consists of: the UCL Main Library the UCL Science Library the UCL Cruciform Library the UCL Environmental Studies Library the UCL Language and Speech Science Library UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies Library and Information Services the UCL Institute of Archaeology Library the UCL Institute of Laryngology and Otology and RNID Library the UCL Institute of Orthopaedics Library the Joint Moorfields Eye Hospital and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology Library the UCL Institute of Child Health Library the UCL Institute of Neurology, Rockefeller Medical Library Royal Free Hospital Medical Library, UCL Library Services the UCL Eastman Dental Institute Library UCL Special Collections UCL Library Services Store, Belnor House, Wickford
UCL Library Services is also a partner in the Archway Healthcare Library.
The role of UCL Library Services is to support learning, teaching and research in the global university that is UCL. Members of staff in UCL Library Services support this outreach through their professionalism and their dedication to offering information services of the highest quality. The combined staff in UCL Library Services totals around 250.
Conditions of service Holidays: Full time staff are entitled to 27 days paid annual leave and leave for part time staff is granted on a pro rata basis. UCL also closes for a period at Christmas and Easter, at which times staff benefit from a total of 6 ‘closure days’ in addition to Bank Holidays. Hours of work: Hours of work for full-time members of staff are 36.5 per week excluding lunch breaks. Increments: After passing probation members of staff will receive one increment on the appropriate scale on 1 August each year until the top point on the scale is reached. Pension: Staff on grades 1-6 are eligible to join SAUL, which is a final salary scheme with a current employee contribution rate of 6% and an employer rate of 13% of salary. Staff on grades 7 and above are eligible to join USS, which is a final salary scheme with a current employee contribution rate of 6.35% and an employer contribution rate of 14% of salary. Probation: Appointments are subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and a probationary period of 6 months (for staff on grades 1-6) and 9 months (for staff on grades 7 and above). Benefits Campus Facilities The main UCL campus has subsidised cafeterias/bars and shops, gym and a travel agent. UCL staff can also benefit from corporate membership at a Tottenham Court Road gym. Flexi-time: UCL Library Services operates a generous flexi-time scheme on some of its sites which is available to all full-time staff working on those sites and some part-time staff. Season Ticket Loans: A season ticket loan is available to staff who have successfully completed their probationary period with the facility to repay through a monthly deduction from salary. How to apply To apply, please submit a completed application form. Please note that only information contained in the application form will be considered by the shortlisting panel therefore covering letters and CVs are not required, and if included will be detached from the application before it is sent for shortlisting. Your application should provide details of at least two referees, one of whom must be your present or most recent employer or course tutor if currently a student. Your references should cover the past three years up to the present date and your referees should have direct experience of your work, education or training Applications should be addressed to: The Office Assistant (quoting ref: 54/07/08) UCL Library Services UCL (University College London) Gower Street London WC1E 6BT or emailed to: library-jobs@ucl.ac.uk or faxed to: +44(0) 20 7679 7373
The closing date for receipt of applications is 22 July 2008 Receipt of an application can only be confirmed if a candidate specifically requests such acknowledgement, and in the case of postal applications, encloses a stamped self-addressed envelope for this purpose.
Candidates should note that interviews are expected to take place during week commencing 11 August 2008 Please note that applicants who have not been contacted within one month of the interview date should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.
UCL Library Services
Job title: Grade: Salary: Period of appointment: Reports to: Location: Hours of work: Library Assistant – Issue Desk 5 £18,180 - £21,072 plus £2,649 London Allowance pro rata per annum Permanent Issue Desk Head, UCL, Cruciform Library UCL, Cruciform Library 36.5 per week working Monday – Friday during daytime hours
General description of post:
The postholder is one of a team of Library Assistants working at the Cruciform Library. The Library primarily serves staff and students of the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences Including the Medical School, as well as staff employed by University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The main purpose of the job is to provide clerical support for all library functions as directed by the Site Librarian and the Issue Desk Head.
Main responsibilities:
Issue Desk service delivery and communication with library customers: Deal with membership queries, such as questions of eligibility to use UCL’s libraries from both UCL and NHS customers Register new customers on the Library database, following documented procedures and standards Issue, return, renew books and other materials on the library management system Take payment for fines or fees, issue receipts and ensure that payment has been recorded accurately Communicate effectively with library customers, in person and by telephone, to answer questions about the service, act upon requests, explain complex procedures and resolve problems or concerns Provide instruction to library customers in using the Library catalogue (eUCLid), networked medical databases, electronic journals and learning packages on CD-ROM Handle other potentially complex enquiries about Library Services and the use of printed and electronic resources; know when to refer to line manager, Site Librarian, Deputy Site Librarian, Enquiry Desk Manager or other UCL and UCLH sources of help and information when required Advise library customers on the different resources and services available to them as members of UCL or the NHS or as visitors to the Library Deal with photocopying enquiries from library customers and assist as necessary, calling the engineer if required
Action to support the loans service: Carry out detailed checks for missing items or books claimed to have been returned Assist the Issue Desk Head with procedures for raising invoices for very overdue/lost items Maintain good filing order in sequences of books and other library materials Identify and refer any cases of misused or damaged library materials to the Issue Desk Head Ensure that daily routines relating to returned or reserved books are carried out Make amendments to membership records on the Library database relating to information received from elsewhere in Library Services, the Registrar’s Division or Medical School administrators
Administrative support: Record the arrival of all serial parts on the library management system Prepare new library materials for adding to stock and repair damaged items; edit their details on the Library catalogue Assist the Site Librarian with collection management including checking reading lists and relegation of stock Process requests for document supply from other libraries on a 48-hour turnaround basis; communicate directly with requesting library over queries and unfulfilled requests Process Store materials delivered/scanned to the Library
Other duties: The postholder is expected to follow UCL policies, including Equal Opportunities and Race Equality policies and to maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety regulations. To carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the Director of UCL Library Services or the Group Manager, Site Librarian or the Line Manager. Duties and responsibilities may need to change over time, so this job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the postholder.
Person Specification
Where indicated below, candidates must provide clear evidence in their application forms (with examples), to show how they meet each element of the essential criteria (and desirable criteria if appropriate). Please note, candidates who do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the essential criteria for this post are unlikely to be shortlisted for interview. Criteria Test by application form X Test by formal interview
Essential 5 A*-C GCSE’s or equivalent Capable of a very high degree of accuracy and precision in detailed work which may sometimes be complex, repetitive and routine. Very good communication skills, both spoken (face-to-face and telephone) and written, with an ability to convey information in a friendly and accurate manner to customers, some of whom do not have English as a first language. The necessary social skills to provide the ability to relate to and co-operate with a wide range of colleagues and customers at all levels. Proven experience of working with the public. The ability to work under pressure and reliably meet deadlines; to prioritize tasks sensibly and to work independently. Able to solve problems and make on-spot decisions without continual supervision. Readiness and proven ability to acquire new skills particularly with the aim of providing a better service to customers. Proven flexibility in the workplace. Confidence and experience in cash handling and financial transactions. Ability to calculate accurately and use spreadsheets. Experience of working in a library or information environment and familiarity with library and information service routines. Experience as a user of library resources including reference materials, catalogues and some knowledge of the underlying concepts of classification. Ability to work as part of a team and work together with colleagues towards common goals. Willingness to be directed towards different tasks as decided by management. Ability to self-motivate and to motivate colleagues in shared endeavours. Committed to Equal Opportunities Desirable Education to degree level Familiarity with and some basic knowledge of medical resources X X X
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July 2008