Executive Librarian

THE CANDIDATE

The post of Executive Librarian is a professional post requiring a degree in librarianship or a postgraduate qualification in librarianship. The ideal candidate will have satisfactory library experience and be a highly motivated person, with drive and commitment to delivering quality public services and continual professional development, who can demonstrate clear knowledge and understanding of:

• Local authority services, its key stakeholders, and relationships

• Local government structures and its democratic role and mandate

• National and international public library policy and strategy

• The role of the Executive Librarian and the changing environment in which Kildare Library Service and Kildare County Council operate

The ideal candidate will:

• Demonstrate experience and skills in leadership and management

• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Have excellent people management and team membership skills

• Have experience in change management and project management

• Have knowledge of current issues and the future direction of libraries and local government

• Be committed to the public interest

• Have satisfactory IT skills including knowledge and understanding of relevant technical ICT packages

• Have a current, full, clean, Class B driver’s licence and access to their own car

The ideal candidate will also demonstrate through their application form and at interview that they:

• Have a commitment to modern and innovative library service delivery

• Are able to work within, and where necessary lead, multi-disciplined teams and have the ability to motivate, empower, and encourage staff to achieve maximum performance

• Have a career record that demonstrates a high level of competence in the management of staff

• Have excellent experience in community and stakeholder engagement and be capable of working in partnership with other Kildare County Council Sections and with outside agencies

• Have relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level

• Have a minimum of two years satisfactory experience of library work at a management level

• Have a strong sense of commitment to delivering quality public services and be willing to take on a challenge

• Are self-motivated with the ability to work on own initiative

• Have a satisfactory knowledge of procurement and the ability to prepare and manage budgets

• Have a strong understanding of the professional role of the Executive Librarian and of 21st-century library services

• Have a satisfactory knowledge of Local Government in Ireland

• Understand the changing environment in which Kildare County Council operates and be capable of adapting to change in order to deliver quality services to citizens

• Have the experience of planning strategically to manage and implement initiatives to enhance library services, infrastructure, and collections

• Are motivated to achieve maximum performance by supporting the current Performance Management and Development System (PMDS)

• Have strong interpersonal, communications, networking, and advocacy skills

• Have an ability to lead in the provision of excellent customer service

• Have a good understanding of the role of digital technologies in the delivery of public library services

• Have experience of engaging with and leveraging emerging technologies in library services and operations

• Ensure full compliance with all organisational policies and procedures

• Have good knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace

• Have the ability to deputise for colleagues if needed at a senior level and represent the Library Service and Kildare County Council

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Librarian is a middle management post within Kildare Library Service. The job profile is likely to evolve as the service changes and develops to meet the changing needs of the public. The Executive Librarian will have responsibility for a section or one of the main public libraries and reports directly to the Senior Executive Librarians and County Librarian. The post requires a high level of professional library and management skills, which include strategic and operational roles.

Responsibilities and duties include but are not limited to:

• Direction and day-to-day running of an administrative department within Library HQ or a busy branch library – including lending services, information & reference, cultural and community engagement for adults; literacy supports, study facilities, and activity programmes for children

• Planning for the future development of the branch library, or relevant department of the County Library, within current Council policies and strategies

• Supporting the Senior Library Team in the implementation of work programmes and initiatives to deliver the National Public Library Strategy and County Kildare Library Development Plan within Kildare County Council’s Corporate and Operational Plans

• Identifying opportunities for improvements in service delivery and to use key performance indicators or other performance indicators effectively as appropriate

• Demonstrating an ability to work under pressure in a cross-functional environment and to tight timelines

• Promoting library services and growing membership

• Managing and motivating the team within the department/branch library

• Managing one of the eight smaller branches within the service

• Salary/wages sign-off and administrative duties

• Ensuring that all expenditure and income in her/his area of responsibility is managed in accordance with Council policies and regulations

• Ensuring good governance in her/his area of responsibility in respect of health and safety, human resources and staffing matters, child protection, data protection, business continuity, and other relevant matters, in accordance with Council policies

• Planning and direction of programmes and events as part of national and local library strategies; promotion of user education, of literature and culture, including exhibitions, lectures, and other creative engagement

• Promoting and marketing library services across traditional and digital platforms, including press releases, newsletters, social media campaigns, and website developments

• Forging strong links between the library and the community

• Working with other library staff to ensure that resources in her/his area of responsibility meet appropriate levels of provision as set out by library management – in the service as a whole and in each library in the network

• Coordination of actions and policies service-wide in general terms, in her/his area of responsibility, and provision of advice and support to other staff in developing resources and services in individual service points

• Coordination of stock selection service-wide, ensuring a balance in stock selection throughout the service which supports all communities, including diverse and marginalised groups

• Supporting the direction and supervision of the acquisition and distribution of stock to libraries, and coordination of the implementation of Kildare County Council’s policies on collection development

• Front-facing public desk-based duties as staffing levels may dictate

• Undertaking any other duties of a similar level and responsibility, as may be required or assigned from time to time

The duties shall be such as may be assigned to the officer from time to time by the local authority and shall include the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority, when required, and such duties as may be assigned to him/her in relation to the area of any other local authority.

QUALIFICATIONS

Character: Each candidate must be of good character.

Health: Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Education, Training and Experience: Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: a) Hold a degree (level eight on the National Framework of Qualifications) in the area of Library and Information Studies or a postgraduate qualification in librarianship b) Have satisfactory experience of library work at a senior level, including satisfactory experience in a management role

Candidates must also:

• Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned

• Be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned

Please supply copies of any certificates, diplomas, or degrees you may have with the application form.

PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT

The Post

The post is wholetime (i.e., 35 hours per week) and appointment will be permanent.

Location

There are seven full-time Branch Libraries in County Kildare: Athy, Celbridge, Kildare, Leixlip, Maynooth, Naas and Newbridge. Library Headquarters is based in Newbridge. Kildare County Council reserves the right to assign you to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

Commencement

Kildare County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month. If they fail to take up the appointment within such period, or such other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Kildare County Council shall not appoint them.

Candidates, if successful, will not be appointed to the post unless they:

• Agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed.

• Are fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position.

Working Hours

The current working hours are 35 hours per week. The post entails a wide range of duties which require maximum flexibility, involving regular evening and weekend attendance where necessary. The person appointed may be required to work outside of normal hours on occasion. Kildare County Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time in line with Government Circulars. All hours worked are subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, and the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001. Kildare County Council requires employees to record their hours using a Clocking system.

Reporting Arrangements

Executive Librarian Officers report directly to the Senior Executive Librarians and the County Librarian or to any other employee of Kildare County Council such as the Director of Services or other appropriate employee Kildare County Council may designate for this purpose. A system of regular appraisal will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Probationary Period of Employment

Where a person is permanently appointed to Kildare County Council, the following provisions shall apply – a) There shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the position on probation. b) Such period shall be twelve months, but the Chief Executive may, at their discretion, extend such period. c) Such a person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation, unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory. d) The period at (a) above may be terminated on giving one weeks’ notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts. e) There will be assessments during the probationary period.

Remuneration

• €57,322 per annum to €65,363 per annum (maximum)

• €67,690 per annum (LSI 1) (after 3 years satisfactory service at maximum)

• €70,030 per annum (LSI 2) (after 6 years satisfactory service at maximum)

On appointment, successful candidates will be placed on the first point of the salary scale. Appointment to a higher point of the salary scale may apply to candidates employed elsewhere in the public service, subject to verification of service history.

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employee’s nominated bank account. The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment. Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g., P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I.

Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory.

Superannuation & Retirement

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of the County Council will be required, in respect of their Superannuation, to contribute to the Local Authority at the appropriate rate. The terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 as amended, or the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, or the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme & Other Provisions) Act 2012 will apply as appropriate on appointment.

Retirement age for employees is dependent on their relevant contract of employment, with due consideration being given to the rules of the Superannuation Scheme to which they belong.

• For appointees who are deemed not to be “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, retirement is compulsory on reaching 65 years of age.

• The minimum retirement age for “new entrants” to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is 65. There is no mandatory retirement age.

• Effective from 1st January 2013, The Single Public Service Scheme applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks:

  • Retirement age is set, initially, at 66 years; this will rise in step with statutory changes in the State Pension Contributory (SPC) age to 67 years in 2021 and 68 years in 2028.

  • Compulsory retirement age will be 70.