Library Assistant

QUALIFICATIONS

Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

Health

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

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 European Union 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 UK, or Switzerland and has a Stamp 4 visa

Education, Experience, Requirements, etc.

Each candidate must have a good general level of education.

Driving Licence

Holders of the post must hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles and shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and, for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority.

If you are required to travel as part of your official duties, Carlow County Council, as your employer, must be indemnified on your insurance policy.

Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and Carlow County Council’s Travel and Subsistence Policy.

If during your employment your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

Carlow County Council reserves the right to provide a van to enable you to carry out your duties. The provision of a van will be at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

Carlow County Council Library Service operates from a central headquarters in Presentation Building, Tullow Street, Carlow Town, and manages and supports a network of four branch libraries in Carlow, Tullow, Muinebheag, and Borris.

A My Open Library service operates in Muinebheag, Borris, and Tullow Libraries.

PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The Post

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

A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year, and this may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

Duties

The duties of the Library Assistant will be consistent with the provision of a modern public library service that is responsive to the changing needs of customers of all ages and abilities and will include the following:

• Providing frontline library service to the public

• Providing access to library resources in-house and online

• Supporting senior staff in the delivery of library services to the public

• Carrying out administrative duties as required

• Carrying out such other duties as may be assigned by the County Librarian

• Organising and supporting the facilitation of library events, exhibitions, and children’s activities

The ideal candidate will:

• Have an understanding of the Council’s purpose and knowledge of public service organisation in Ireland

• Have an ability to work effectively within a team to achieve a common goal, ensuring standards are adhered to and maintained

• Have good interpersonal and communication skills

• Have the ability to provide excellent customer service

• Understand the changing environment and be capable of adapting to change in order to deliver quality services to citizens

• Demonstrate good administrative experience

• Have an ability to work on own initiative, in an independent environment, and without constant supervision

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

Probation

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of a Local Authority is employed, the following provisions shall apply:

a) There shall be a period after such employment takes effect during which such person shall hold such position on probation

b) Such period shall be one year, but the Chief Executive may, at his or her discretion, extend such period

c) Such person will cease to hold such position at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such person is satisfactory

d) The period above may be terminated on giving one week’s notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts

e) There may be assessments during the probationary period

Vetting

Garda vetting is required for certain roles within Carlow County Council.

Failure to complete a Garda vetting form on request may prevent your employment with Carlow County Council.

In the event of an unsatisfactory Garda declaration being received, Carlow County Council reserves the right not to commence employment.

In the event of an existing employee changing role as a result of promotion or otherwise to a role that requires Garda Vetting, and an unsatisfactory disclosure being returned, Carlow County Council reserves the right to withhold promotion and also to investigate if further sanction or disciplinary action is warranted on foot of disclosure on a case-by-case basis.

Remuneration

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time.

The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies, other than his or her inclusive salary, payable to and received by him or her by virtue of office or in respect of services which he or she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

The salary scale for the post of Library Assistant (Circular Letter EL 02/2026) is as follows:

€31,619 - €33,368 - €33,802 - €34,674 - €35,952 - €37,231 - €38,510 - €39,439 - €40,492 - €41,711 - €42,578 - €43,789 - €45,006 - €47,297 - €48,924 (LSI 1)

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

In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL.02/2020, 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 holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies, other than his or her inclusive salary, payable to and received by him or her by virtue of office or in respect of services which he or she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

Location

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

The successful candidate may be based in any of the library facilities across County Carlow and will be expected to travel to and from work in other library facilities as required.

Hours of Work

The working hours at present provide for 35 hours per week on a rota system over 6 days, Monday to Saturday.

This rota will also include evening work.

Hours may vary from time to time.

The Council reserves the right to alter the working hours from time to time.

You may be required to work additional hours on a time-off-in-lieu basis on various occasions.

All hours of work will be 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.

Annual Leave

The current annual leave entitlement is 27 days, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service.

The granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave, and arrangement for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, as amended.

Sick Leave

The terms of the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations 2023, as amended, will prevail.

Health and Safety

The holder of the post shall cooperate with the terms of Carlow County Council’s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan.

It is a condition of employment that the successful candidate will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post.

He or she shall familiarise himself or herself with the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety clothing and equipment.

Failure to comply with the terms of the Safety Statement may result in disciplinary action.

Training

It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post and to attend all mandatory training.

Use of Modern Technology

The successful candidate will be required to use all equipment provided, including computers, handheld terminals, mobile telephones, electronic equipment, video or other monitoring equipment, and any other new technology which may be introduced in the future.

Health

For the purposes of satisfying the requirements as to health, it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by the Local Authority.

Superannuation and Retirement

Superannuation

If you are pensionable under the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 and are liable to pay Class A PRSI contributions, you would be required, in respect of superannuation, to make contributions at the rate of 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration plus 1.5% of full pensionable remuneration.

You are required in respect of spouses’ and children’s pension benefit to contribute at the rate of 1.5% of full pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of schemes made under the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998.

Maximum retirement age is 70.

If the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 applies to your employment, 65 is the minimum age at which your pension may be paid.

As a new entrant to the public service, under the terms of this legislation, you will not be required to retire on grounds of age.

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.

You may also be required to pay Spouses and Children / Widows and Orphans contributions at the rate of 1.5% of gross pay.

Maximum retirement age is 70.

Persons who become pensionable staff of a local authority for the first time on or after 1 January 2013 are assigned to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme with effect from the date of appointment.

The scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement gratuity, death gratuity, and survivors benefits.

If you are pensionable under the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, you are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution.

You are required to pay contributions as follows:

• 3% of gross remuneration

• 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration

The minimum age at which you may retire is aligned with the State Contributory Pension age, currently 66, rising to 67 and 68 in line with legislation.

The maximum retirement age is 70.

To qualify for a pension, the successful candidate must have served a minimum of two years’ employment in a local authority.

Further information is available from the Human Resources Department.

Data Protection

Basis for Processing your Personal Information

The basis for processing your personal data is to progress your application for the position you have applied for with Carlow County Council under the Terms of the Employment (Information) Act 1994 and Human Resources policies and procedures.

Personal data sought for the purpose of recruitment will include your name, contact details including email address and mobile phone number, particulars of education, details regarding your record of employment, and confirmation if you require an employment permit, visa, or work authorisation.

Sharing of Information

Outside of the relevant recruitment team, the information provided in your application form will only be shared for progressing the competition for which you have applied, with a designated shortlisting and/or interview board.

If, following the competition, you are placed on a panel and offered a position, the information provided in your application form will form part of your Personnel File.

Storage Period

Your application will be retained for one year from the date a panel for this position is formed.

In exceptional circumstances, panels can be extended for an additional year and your personal data will be kept until the extension has expired.

Applications that are unsuccessful at interview stage will be retained for one year.

Applications that are not progressed to interview stage will be destroyed post competition.

If you do not furnish the personal data requested, Carlow County Council will not be able to progress your application for the competition.

When your application is received, Carlow County Council creates a record in your name which contains much of the personal information you have supplied.

This personal record is used solely in processing your candidature.

Such information held is subject to the rights and obligations set out in the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003 and will be destroyed following the expiry of any panel put in place in respect of this competition.