Job Summary

Robert Gordon University is proud to be a leading, modern, university which offers an inclusive and innovative environment, where everyone contributes to delivering impactful education and research.

The Library Service provides a comprehensive range of services and resources to enhance learning, teaching and engagement activity across all university and wider communities. We also steward the University's unique art and heritage collections and manage the institutional repository which showcases the innovative and globally recognised work created by RGU researchers.

Within the Library, the Collections & Discovery team is responsible for ensuring that all members of the university community have access to the information resources they need through the acquisition and management of resources and provision of the online reading list and digitisation services for the Library.

The role of Assistant Librarian (Collections & Discovery) is a key part of this team with this post having responsibility for overseeing and undertaking cataloguing, classification, and resource management activities, alongside other core duties, to ensure the library's collections are comprehensive, up-to-date, accurate, discoverable, and accessible.

We are seeking a detail-oriented individual with practical experience in cataloguing, classification and resource management and knowledge of appropriate standards and schema. Experience in a support service role within higher education or a library setting is essential, along with strong IT skills and proficiency in using a Library Management System. You will be enthusiastic with a proactive approach to providing excellent customer service and a desire to learn new skills. You will have excellent communication skills, be organised and accurate, have strong interpersonal skills, and be able to work as part of a team and independently.

This role is suitable for hybrid working in line with the University's policy and guidance. Due to Library operational requirements, work from home will usually be limited to one day per week.

In keeping with RGU's commitment to work/life balance you will benefit from a generous pension scheme, 46 days annual leave (including statutory days) an onsite nursery and sports centre, as well as a range of voluntary health and travel benefits.

We are committed to attracting and engaging a diverse range of staff and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome, comfortable to express their ideas, and can reach their full potential. For more information, please visit Our Diverse Workforce pages.

As per the UKVI immigration rules, this role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship under this route is dependent on factors specific to the applicant and if tradeable points can be used under the rules.

Job Description

RESPONSIBLE TO: Collections & Discovery Librarian

RESPONSIBLE FOR: N/A

PURPOSE OF POST: This role, within the Library's Collections & Discovery team, is responsible for cataloguing, classification, and resource management activities. These activities ensure the library's resource collections are comprehensive, up-to-date, accurate, discoverable, and accessible.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

Cataloguing and Resource Management

• To be responsible for the cataloguing and classification of library stock (including print, electronic, and special collection material) in adherence to professional standards and practice, on Library systems. This will involve identifying, importing, and enhancing MARC records from external databases as well as creation of original records.
• Ensure all print and electronic resources are recorded and available on the Library Management System and Discovery Service. This will involve evaluation and activation of large electronic collections and undertaking, and supervising, work to ensure their accuracy and discoverability.
• Monitor availability and accessibility to ensure that the full range of resources are available to on and off campus users; work with the Collections & Discovery Librarian, Systems team, service providers, and suppliers to provide access and to resolve any issues.
• Support the Collections & Discovery Librarian in their management of the acquisitions processes by checking the accuracy of order catalogue records, monitoring imports, and identifying and correcting issues with metadata received from suppliers (including direct liaison with relevant parties as required).
• Maintain current awareness of national and international trends, standards, emerging technologies, and developments in all aspects of metadata and resource management, identifying, recommending, and implementing changes to practice where appropriate.
• Supervise resource management activities such as stock checks and withdrawing items in collaboration with other Library teams.
• Delegate cataloguing and resource management duties to library assistants as appropriate.
• Provide training for library staff on cataloguing, resource management and other areas of expertise as required for their roles or continuing professional development.
• Develop, manage, and document systems, workflows, and processes for cataloguing, resource management and related activities ensuring efficiency and continuous improvement.

Other duties

• Participate in the enquiry answering duties of the team, dealing with queries received by email, phone and in person, assisting with the more complex enquiries as needed.
• Undertake reading list creation and updating when required.
• Co-ordinate the digitisation of chapters and articles as part of the Library's Digitisation Service, in accordance with Copyright Licensing Agency guidance, when required.
• Support the Collections & Discovery Librarian in delivery and development of the Reading List and Digitisation services with regards to record accuracy and quality, and resource availability.
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of copyright law and how it relates to resource provision and discoverability, reading lists, and digitisation services.
• Develop and maintain expert knowledge of the appropriate modules on the Library Management System.
• Support the work of the Library Collections & Research Support Manager through the creation and collation of statistics in relation to resource numbers, availability, and usage.

Teamwork and management

• Contribute to the Collections & Discovery Team's strategic and operational policy and planning activities.
• Act as operational lead for the Collections & Discovery team in areas of responsibility and expertise including contributing to performance management.
• Lead cataloguing and resource management projects including, when needed, cross-library teams.
• Deputise for the Collections & Discovery Librarian as required.

General

• Undertake manual handling duties in line with health and safety protocols.
• Keep up to date with continuing professional and technical developments in relevant areas.
• Maintain an understanding of appropriate policies and regulations including GDPR, copyright, and health and safety.
• Undertake the role in line with the university's core values.

This job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties as reasonably required by the university. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant experience

Knowledge and Skills

Experience

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

Degree or postgraduate qualification in library or information science

Knowledge and Skills

Experience

Behaviours

Behaviour 1: Service Delivery - Experience of exploring and adapting a service to meet customers' expectations and also identifying ways of improving standards

Behaviour 2: Team Development - Experience of providing advice or guidance to new starts

Behaviour 3: Communication - Ability to receive, understand and convey both straightforward information, and information requiring careful explanation, in a clear and accurate manner

Behaviour 4: Team Work and Motivation - Experience of being a team leader, agreeing clear team objectives and organising and delegating tasks according to individual abilities

Behaviour 5: Planning and Organising Resources - Experience of planning, prioritising and organising the work of yourself and others (within own area) on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, whilst ensuring the effective use of resources