Librarian

1. CHARACTER

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. HEALTH

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

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health, it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before they are appointed, to undergo at their expense, a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the Local Authority. On taking up employment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate.

3. EDUCATION

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

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

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

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient experience and a proven track record in the following:

• Knowledge of the structure and functions of the local government library service, current issues, future trends, and strategic direction of library services, and an understanding of the role of the Librarian in this context.
• Strong commitment to delivering quality public services and willingness to take on challenges.
• Good understanding of the role of digital technologies in the delivery of 21st century library services, including social media services and promotion.
• Strong interest in developing outreach programmes, including initiatives for children and young people, integration, neurodivergent, and age-friendly services.
• Highly motivated with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to supervise and motivate a team effectively under the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) and maintain productive working relationships within the organisation and with customers.
• Effective budget management skills.
• Experience planning and prioritising to meet targets and delegating work appropriately.
• Experience in problem-solving and decision-making.
• Awareness of the implications in the workplace of relevant Health and Safety legislation and regulations and their application for both the organisation and employee.
• Openness and willingness to adopt new ways of working and involve others in change.

THE ROLE

The Librarian is a supervisory professional librarian post and performs a role in almost all areas of library service. The post may be assigned responsibility for the day-to-day management of a branch library, including staff supervision, or alternatively be based in Library Headquarters with responsibility for managing particular service areas.

The Librarian will work under the direction and management of the County Librarian or other employee designated by the County Librarian or Director of Service, as appropriate.

The Librarian will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team within the Library Service, assisting with the implementation of work programmes to achieve goals, targets, and standards set out in the Library Development Programme and team development plans. The Librarian will be expected to use initiative and work to a high standard and will be required to operate the Council’s existing and future IT systems as part of their work.

The Librarian role requires excellent professional librarian, administrative, employee supervisory, interpersonal, and communication skills and expertise.

LIBRARIAN – COMPETENCIES

Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence of such competencies within their application form and at interview. Any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by candidates on their application form.

The competencies for the role of Librarian are:

Delivering Results

• Makes decisions in a timely and well-informed manner.
• Translates the business or team plan into clear priorities and actions for their area of responsibility.
• Implements high-quality service and customer care standards.
• Plans work and allocation of staff and other resources effectively.

Performance Through People

• Leads and develops the team to achieve corporate objectives.
• Effectively manages performance.
• Manages conflict.
• Demonstrates a good understanding of the components of the job.
• Ability to work in a team to deliver programmes and projects and work to strict deadlines.

Personal Effectiveness

• Personal motivation.
• Takes initiative and is open to taking on new challenges or responsibilities.
• Manages time and workload effectively.
• Maintains a positive, constructive, and enthusiastic attitude to their role.
• Commitment to integrity and good public service values.
• Effective interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills.
• Effective written and verbal skills.

Understanding Purpose & Change

• Understanding the structures and environment within which the library service operates and the role of the Librarian in this context.
• Knowledge and understanding of Local Authority functions and structures, including those of the library service.
• Understands key challenges facing the Local Authority sector.
• Understands the need for change and communicates this persuasively to others.
• Makes a positive case for change and elicits commitment from others.
• Implements change in an orderly and determined manner.

JOB SPECIFICATION1. THE OFFICE

The office is whole-time, permanent, and pensionable.

A panel will be formed from which permanent and temporary appointments may be made.

2. SALARY

€52,239 - €53,799 - €55,392 - €57,019 - €58,657 - €60,567 (1st LSI) - €62,484 (2nd LSI). Rates as at 01/02/2026.

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1 January 2011 will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point.

Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government policy.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the office shall pay to the Local Authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of any services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

3. SUPERANNUATION CONTRIBUTION

Persons who become pensionable officers of a Local Authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children).

Persons who become pensionable officers of a Local Authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

All persons who become pensionable officers of a Local Authority will be required in respect of the Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension Scheme to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

RETIREMENTNew Entrants Recruited to the Public Service on or after 1 January 2013

Pensionable public servants (new joiners) recruited to the Public Service for the first time on or after 1 January 2013 (the commencement date of the Single Scheme) will be members of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.

Pension Age

Minimum pension age is linked to the State Pension age, which is currently 66 but may be subject to change.

Compulsory Retirement Age

Scheme members must retire at the age of 70.

In all other cases, staff recruited on or after 1 January 2013 who were employed in the Public Service on 31 December 2012, or within a period prior to 31 December 2012 not exceeding 26 weeks, will retain their existing pension scheme terms and conditions.

In certain circumstances, for example where the public servant was on secondment or approved leave or remains on the same contract of employment, the 26-week rule does not apply.

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER)

It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER), as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09, that retirees under that scheme are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position.

4. HOURS OF WORK

All new entrants to the Local Authority sector and any individuals on new appointments or promotion will work 35 hours per week.

The successful candidate must be available to work weekend and evening shifts as part of the normal roster. Rotas may be amended periodically in response to library service needs.

5. PROBATION

When a person who is not already a permanent officer of a Local Authority within the Public Service in Ireland is appointed to a permanent office, the following provisions shall apply:

a. There shall be a period after such appointment takes effect during which such person shall hold office on probation.

b. Such period shall be one year.

c. Such person shall cease to hold such office at the end of the probation period unless, during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such person in such office is satisfactory.

6. ANNUAL LEAVE

Annual leave entitlement for the position of Librarian is 30 days per annum in accordance with Department of Environment, Community and Local Government Circular LG(P) 07/2011.

7. DUTIES

The main duties and responsibilities of the Librarian will be consistent with the provision of a modern 21st century public library service that is responsive to the changing requirements of customers of all ages and abilities.

The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Ensuring that the Library Development Programme is implemented to deliver on the Council’s strategies and objectives for the overall development of the County outlined in various corporate plans and strategies.
• Supporting the Library Management Team, Senior Librarian, or Branch Manager in the implementation of work programmes and initiatives in delivering the National Library Strategy and the local dlr Library Development Plan, as required by the Council’s Corporate and Operational Plans.
• Assisting in the development of library policies, development programmes, plans, and strategies.
• General branch management and development, including support of the My Open Library (MOL) service.
• Developing relationships with stakeholders and participating in community engagement.
• Developing outreach programmes, including initiatives for children and young people, integration, age-friendly, and neurodivergent services.
• Organising and promoting events and activity programmes.
• Developing and supporting literacy and family support services for children and young people, networking with local schools, teachers, and educators.
• Management of information systems and services.
• Providing access to information, circulation control, collection development, and user education.
• Preparing and managing budgets.
• Developing and promoting local studies services.
• Communicating and liaising effectively with employees, senior managers, customers, and elected representatives in relation to operational matters for the Library Service.
• Providing specialist assistance and support in the delivery of projects as required.
• Supporting and deputising for the senior manager in communicating, implementing, and managing all change management initiatives within the Library Service.
• Supervising employees in supporting roles up to the position/grade of Senior Library Assistant, including assigning duties and workload.
• Providing ongoing support to employees.
• Ensuring full compliance with all organisational policies and procedures, including grievance and disciplinary procedures, performance management, attendance management, and ensuring strong governance and ethics standards are maintained.
• Undertaking any other duties of a similar level and responsibility within the Library Service as may be required or assigned from time to time.

The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibilities entailed. The post holder may therefore be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to an appropriate Officer or such designated Officer as may be assigned from time to time by the Council.

The duties of the post are to give to the Local Authority and to:

a) The Local Authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive is Chief Executive; and

b) Any other Local Authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the Local Authority or by any of the authorities or bodies referred to in sub-paragraph (a) under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or such officers as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine,

such appropriate computing, technical, management, administrative, executive, supervisory, advisory, and ancillary services as may be required by any Local Authority or body mentioned above in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions, and duties, and to exercise such powers, functions, and duties as may be delegated to them by the Chief Executive from time to time, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such Local Authority or body.

The holder of the post will, if required, act for an officer of a higher level.

The duties shall be such as shall be assigned by the Local Authority from time to time and shall include the duty of deputising for other officers of the Local Authority when required. The duties shall also include such duties as may be assigned in relation to the area of any other Local Authority.

8. CITIZENSHIP

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

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

b. A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); 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 Irish citizen child and has been granted residence permission (usually Stamp 4).

9. LOCATION & RESIDENCE

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

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council reserves the right to assign employees to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future, subject to reasonable notice.