Librarian

The Position

The Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of Librarian.

It is proposed to form a panel of qualified candidates from which vacancies, both permanent and temporary, will be filled during the lifetime of the panel.

The Librarian is a middle management post within the management structure of Donegal County Library, delivering service areas at Headquarters, or in a library or number of libraries within a Municipal District or Districts. This post requires professional librarianship, leadership and management skills.

The Librarian is supported by the posts of Senior Library Assistant, and Library Assistant or Branch Librarian.

Librarians report to an Executive Librarian. The Librarian will deputise for the Executive Librarian, and will represent the Executive Librarian and the organisation as required.

The main role of the Librarian is the delivery of public library and or related support services in line with the priorities identified in The Library is the Place: National Public Library Strategy 2023–2027 and Cultúr le Chéile: Strategic Plan for Culture Division 2022–2026.

All roles are reviewed periodically to reflect changing circumstances. Each Librarian role will evolve over time and it should be understood that as the public library environment changes, so too will the requirements of the post.

Donegal County Library

The Library Service is based in the Planning, Communities and Culture Directorate of Donegal County Council.

The Culture Division comprises the Library Service, the Arts Service, the Regional Cultural Centre, the Museum Service, the Archives Service, the Biodiversity Office and the County Donegal Heritage Office.

The library network includes 13 libraries and 8 Taobh Tíre community partnership service points, as well as a Cross Border Mobile Library Service run in partnership with Libraries NI. The Central Library in Letterkenny is the largest and the busiest library and includes the main Local Studies research collection and Europe Direct, in addition to providing public library services.

Online library services and resources are developing rapidly, as are the options for self service, including the My Open Library Service.

As the Library Service is part of the Culture Division, it is expected that Librarians will work with colleagues from across the Division on programmes and projects from time to time.

The Librarian will be responsible for particular aspects of the service as determined by the particular vacancy and the priority work areas. The Librarian will undertake any other duties as required by the County Librarian or Culture Division Manager.

Roles Duties and Responsibilities

The duties of the Librarian will be consistent with the provision of a modern public library service that is responsive to the changing requirements of customers of all ages and abilities and will include, but are not limited to:

• working with library management and partners to deliver local and national plans and policies

• day to day management of libraries in one or more Municipal Districts

• staff management, including PMDS and training programmes

• management and delivery of new work practices and initiatives

• ensuring excellent customer service

• ensuring consistent opening hours, managing staff rotas and provision of cover

• information provision and user education

• implementation of national programmes such as Right to Read, Healthy Ireland at Your Library and Skills for Life

• online and digital services provision

• provision of ICT support, including the Library Management System and RFID equipment

• programme and project development and delivery, in house and online

• promotion of library services via press releases, social media etc.

• collection management and development, including stock selection

• cataloguing and classification of library stock

• library administration duties, data collection and analysis

• health and safety compliance

• building management

• attendance at and management of meetings

• report writing

• budget management and developing funding applications

• representing the Library Service or Culture Division on internal and external working groups

• supporting senior staff in service planning and delivery

• any other duties as required by the County Librarian or Culture Division Manager

Note: A satisfactory competence in the Irish language is deemed necessary in relation to any vacancy within the Glenties Municipal District. An assessment of this competence may be carried out as part of the recruitment and selection process as appropriate.

Official Languages (Amendment) Acts 2021

So that the Local Authority may meet its statutory obligations, a satisfactory competence in the Irish Language is deemed essential for appointment, assignment or reassignment to Gaeltacht based offices and offices serving Gaeltacht areas. Competence must be of a level where one can operate through the medium of Irish and provide services to the public in Irish, as per the provisions of the Official Languages (Amendment) Acts 2021. An assessment of this competence may form an integral part of the recruitment and selection process.

Qualifications and Requirement of the Post

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has declared that the qualifications for Librarian will be as set out below:

(a) Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

(b) Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical examination carried out by the Council’s Occupational Medical Advisor prior to appointment.

(c) Education, Training and Experience

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed applications:

i. hold a degree (Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) in the area of Library and Information Studies.

Please note:

Non Irish qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. Overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

(d) Core Competencies

Key competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form and at interview of competence under each of these. Please take particular note of these when completing the application form, as any shortlisting or interview processes will be based on the information provided by candidates.

Management and Change

Strategic Ability

• Demonstrates flexibility and an openness to change.

• Considers how systems, processes and practices may be improved.

Networking and Representing

• Can work with multiple stakeholders to implement change.

• Implements change in an orderly and determined manner.

Bringing about Change

• Understands the need for change and demonstrates this to others.

• Recognises that people react differently to change and manages this accordingly.

• Makes a positive case for change where required in the organisation and draws commitment from others.

Performance through People

Leading and Motivating

• Demonstrates visible commitment to the purpose, mission and vision of the organisation.

• Leads the team in a manner that provides clarity of purpose with a focus on delivery.

Managing Performance

• Develops the team and its members to achieve corporate objectives through the effective management of performance.

Communicating Effectively

• Recognises the value of communicating effectively with all employees.

• Has effective written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

Delivering Results

Problem Solving and Decision Making

• Understands the context and impact of decisions made.

• Acts decisively and makes timely, informed and effective decisions, and shows good judgement and balance in making decisions or recommendations.

Operational Planning

• Contributes to operational plans and develops team plans in line with priorities and actions for their area of operations.

• Delegates, tracks and monitors activity.

• Is familiar with the technical knowledge and expertise commensurate with the role of Librarian.

• Translates business or team plan objectives into clear priorities and actions for their area of operation.

Managing Resources

• Allocates resources, including staff and equipment, across jobs to ensure that priorities are met and that work is executed in the most efficient manner possible to deliver quality work and services.

Personal Effectiveness

Delivering Quality Outcomes

• Takes initiative and is open to taking on new challenges or responsibilities.

• Evaluates the outcomes achieved, identifies learning and implements improvements.

• Establishes high quality service and customer care standards.

• Takes responsibility for the delivery of results and for bringing projects and tasks to completion in their area of operation.

Relevant Knowledge

• Keeps up to date with current developments, trends and best practice in their area of responsibility.

• Understands the structures and environment within which the library service operates and the role of the Librarian in this context.

Resilience and Personal Well Being

• Demonstrates appropriate and positive self confidence.

• Remains calm under pressure and operates effectively in an environment with significant complexity and pace.

• Behaves in an honest, trustworthy and respectful manner and is transparent, fair and consistent in dealing with others.

Personal Motivation, Initiative and Achievement

• Is enthusiastic about the role and sets challenging goals to achieve high quality outcomes.

• Manages time and workload effectively.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• Demonstrates knowledge of the structure and functions of modern public library services, including an understanding of the role of digital technologies in the delivery of 21st century library services, and an understanding of the role of the Librarian in this context.

• Demonstrates knowledge of local and national policies and plans as they relate to the library service.

• Demonstrates understanding of key challenges facing the local government sector and Donegal County Council.

• Understands the work of the Culture Division within Donegal County Council.

• Displays an interest in information, the local community and its history and culture.

• Displays knowledge and experience of operating IT systems.

Particulars of the Post

(a) General

Donegal County Council proposes to create a panel of qualified candidates for the position of Librarian from which it will fill any vacancy that may arise.

(b) Probation

The successful candidate shall be required to be on probation for an initial period, as determined by the Council. This period may be extended at the discretion of the Council.

(c) Remuneration

The current annual pay scale is €51,722 minimum to maximum LSI2 €61,865 (as per Circular EL 07/2025).

Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular.

New entrants will commence on the minimum point of the scale.

(d) Base

The base for the post of Librarian shall be determined by the Council and will depend on the particular area and service to which the post holder is assigned.

The role of Librarian may involve some travel, with some trips involving overnight stays and associated costs covered by the appropriate allowances.

(e) Residence

Holders of the post shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

(f) Working Hours and Annual Leave

The normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time. The Librarian role will involve some work outside of normal business hours, including evenings and Saturdays.

Annual leave allowance will be a maximum of 30 days for all applicants.

(g) Requirement to Drive

Candidates shall be required:

(a) to possess a full current Category B Driving Licence

(b) to have their own vehicle available for use while performing their duties, and the associated costs will be covered by the appropriate allowances

(h) Citizenship Requirements

Eligible candidates must be, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(a) a citizen of the European Economic Area. The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(b) a citizen of the United Kingdom; or

(c) a citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) a non EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA, UK or Swiss citizen and has a Stamp 4 visa; or

(e) a person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a Stamp 4 visa; or

(f) a non EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA Member State, the United Kingdom or Switzerland and has a Stamp 4 visa.

(i) Conflicts of Interest

The post holder shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an employee of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of his or her duties as an employee of a local authority, or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority, or which might be inconsistent with the discharge of his or her duties as a local authority employee.

(j) Garda Vetting

Candidates for the post may be subject to Garda Vetting. Please note all candidates must attain a satisfactory Garda Vetting Disclosure prior to appointment, otherwise the offer of employment will be withdrawn.

In the event where a Garda Vetting Disclosure indicates that there is a case pending, then the appointment cannot proceed at that time and the offer of employment will be withdrawn. The candidate will, however, retain their position on the panel and will be considered for the next vacancy should the same arise within the lifetime of the panel.

Recruitment Process

A. Application Form

• Applications must be made on the official online application form and all sections of the form must be fully completed.

• Applications must be received by the deadline specified on the system.

• Please do not submit a CV with your application. Only information contained in the application form will be considered when assessing a candidate’s suitability for the post.

B. Short Listing and Interview

Candidates may be shortlisted for interview on the basis of information supplied. In the event of a shortlisting exercise being required, an Expert Panel will convene to examine and assess the application forms against a set of predetermined criteria, based on the requirements of the job.

It is therefore in your own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of your qualifications and experience on the application form.