Subject Librarian

TFPL & Sue Hill Recruitment

Subject Librarian

London

35 hours a week

£27.33 per hour

Start beginning of Feb

8 week Temporary position – Extension possible but not guaranteed

About the company

Sue Hill Recruitment have been instructed by our HE client, who are seeking a Subject Librarian to be part of a small team of Subject Librarians. This post is for the lead Subject Librarian for the School of Business, it is also hoped that the postholder will assist the Assistant Director, Digital Services, Systems and Collections in acting as a Subject Librarian for the School of Science.

The post holder is the main contact between the Library and the School/Departments for which they have responsibility. The post holder will liaise with the Executive Dean of School, School Managers, Library Representatives, Course Directors, individual members of academic staff, and students ranging from certificate and diploma level to PhD.

The purpose of the role is to develop an effective partnership with the School/Departments to ensure that the Library meets the learning, teaching, and research needs of students and staff. This includes promoting awareness of, and access to, resources for relevant subject areas, both print and electronic, within and beyond the Library.

Additionally, the postholder is expected to answer specialist information enquiries relating to their subjects. Some work on frontline enquiry services may also be required.

This position will start at the beginning of February and run through until end of March

What you’ll be doing

• Provide the principal channel of communication with the designated School/Departments, to and feedback issues and concerns to the Assistant Director, Digital Services, Systems and Collections and to keep academic colleagues updated on Library developments.
• To develop understanding of the information needs of staff and students in designated subject areas and act as a source of expertise in the literature and information sources of those subject areas.
• Anticipate and establish the information needs and priorities of staff and students to improve resources and service delivery, respond to feedback, negotiate recommendations for change, and implement outcomes.
• Disseminate information about, and market, Library services and resources through production of promotional materials and talks at college-wide internal and external events.
• Liaison, and working with, other Subject Librarians for any department
• Design, develop and deliver face-to-face information skills teaching ranging from small group tutorials to large lectures.
• Develop self-instructional learning materials to support the development of information literacy skills
• Develop in-depth expertise in e-resources, cascading knowledge to academic and library colleagues, and teaching Library users.
• Support academic staff in their use of print and electronic resources in learning, teaching, and research, including offering resource awareness sessions for academic staff.
• Evaluate, select, and purchase appropriate print and electronic materials to support learning, teaching, and research.
• Liaise and negotiate with academic departments and the Library’s Acquisitions and Metadata Department to prioritise new acquisitions.
• Form part of a team of staff providing an enquiry service for readers, including an email and telephone helpline.

Why you will be hired

To be considered for this role you will require:

• A CILIP-accredited qualification in library/information studies
• Academic library experience.
• Experience of subject liaison work.
• Information skills and teaching experience
• Knowledge of how electronic resources can facilitate information access.
• Excellent IT and web skills and an ability to learn other IT applications as appropriate.
• A flexible, innovative, and customer-focused approach to providing services for students and staff.
• Ability to work independently without supervision and to manage one’s own workload.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent presentation and teaching skills.
• Effective negotiating skills.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Ability to work in a challenging and pressurised environment.
• Appreciation of the library needs of the unique academic community and ability to relate to people from a wide range of backgrounds.