Assistant Librarian

The Role

Maynooth University is committed to a strategy in which the primary University goals of excellent research and scholarship and outstanding education are interlinked and equally valued.

We are seeking an Assistant Librarian, Academic Engagement, Teaching & Learning to identify and respond to university, faculty and departmental needs, and promote and advocate the use of Library resources, facilities and services accordingly.

They will play a key role in engaging with the academic community and delivering the Library’s strategy as an active member of the Teaching and Learning team and as part of the wider library team.

Principal Duties

• Working within the Library’s Teaching & Learning team, strategically develop and manage relationships with academic faculties, departments and staff to communicate key messages about the Library’s mission, in a timely and effective way

• Actively develop collaborative opportunities to enhance academic engagement with the Library, our services and resources including our teaching and classes

• Represent the University Librarian at relevant faculty and departmental meetings to ascertain a clear understanding of Programme, Faculty and Departmental requirements, promote and advocate the role of the Library and develop relationships with academic staff

• In consultation with the Library Management team, develop a programme of targeted contacts with Head of Departments and other key academic contacts

• Report key issues arising from meetings, contacts and other engagements with academic staff to the Library Management team

• Seek opportunities for the Library to collaborate with colleagues across the University in the areas of collections, teaching and research

• Collaborate with the Teaching & Learning Librarians to identify library class delivery and content priorities aligned with module outcomes across the undergraduate and postgraduate curricula

• Collaborate with colleagues in Research, Open Scholarship and Innovation to identify and support university researchers, including co-delivery of events and workshops to meet academic and researcher training need

• Liaise with academic staff and Library colleagues to promote, advocate and develop Library collections to meet the University’s changing teaching and research requirements

• Support library teaching activities by participating in LiST and other events and classes delivered to specific groups of students

• Respond to information-related queries across a range of subject areas and using a range of tools

• Represent the Library on national and international committees and fora where appropriate

The ideal candidate will have:

Essential

• A degree and a postgraduate qualification in Librarianship

• Experience of working in an academic library or similar environment

• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills with an ability to work closely with colleagues to deliver agreed deadlines

• Experience of managing and delivering on strategic projects and initiatives

• Excellent knowledge of information resources, platforms and tools, including engaging with, using and promoting academic databases

• Excellent organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt and meet deadlines

• Flexibility to adjust tasks and priorities as needed to ensure the service is consistently maintained

Desirable

• Experience using and communicating on social media platforms

• A track record of speaking and making other professional contributions in the library field

• A knowledge of and ability to engage proactively with new and emerging technologies using a proactive, innovative and user focused approach

Department

The Library

There are two main buildings - the John Paul II Library and the Russell Library, both of which hold significant book, archive and manuscript collections. The John Paul II Library holds over 400,000 print items. Access is also provided to over 500,000 electronic books and 70,000 electronic journals.

The overall strategy for Maynooth University Library is articulated in the current Library Strategic Plan. The Library’s Strategic Plan 2024-2028 has set out an aspiring plan to guide the library’s work over the next four years as we endeavour to enhance our services, resources, and impact on the campus community.

Further information about the Library can be found on the Library’s website, https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library and social media platforms.

The University

Maynooth University is a very distinctive university, a collegial institution focused on science and engineering, humanities, and social sciences, and equally committed to research, teaching and community engagement. Located in Ireland’s only university town, its distinctive features and character owe much to its unique history and heritage. It provides a high-quality educational experience to over 17,000 students on a campus with 18th century roots and 21st century dynamism.

Maynooth University is a place of lively contrasts – a modern institution, dynamic, rapidly-growing, research-led and engaged, yet grounded in historic academic strengths and scholarly traditions. We offer a range of programmes at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level in the humanities, science and engineering and social sciences, including business, law and education, along with a range of international programmes and partnerships.

The strategic trajectory and accomplishments of Maynooth University, since its establishment as an autonomous public university, are exceptional and a source of great pride to the university community, staff, students and alumni. Maynooth University ranked in the top 90 global Times Higher Education (THE) Young University rankings in 2024. Maynooth University’s growing global reputation is based on the originality, quality, importance and impact of its research and scholarship, commitment to teaching and learning, the quality of academic programmes, and its leadership in widening participation in higher education. The sources of success are the dedication of its staff and the energy and engagement of its students.

Maynooth University’s Values

Our values define who we are, what we believe in and how we act as a community. They underpin our future success and guide our expectations of ourselves and each other. Our values apply to everyone in the University community:

• Integrity

• Collegiality

• Responsibility

• Freedom of expression

• Ambition

Salary

Assistant Librarian (Grade II): €46,292 – €64,945 p.a. pro rata at 0.5 FTE (9 points)

Appointments will be made in accordance with public sector pay provisions.

Hours of work

A 35-hour working week is in operation in respect of full-time positions (pro-rated for part-time positions).

This can be reviewed or adjusted from time to time through national agreements.

Location

The place of work is the campus of Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.