Library Assistant

1. The Position

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

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

The Library Assistant will report directly to the Librarian/Staff Officer, or such person as may be assigned from time to time by Donegal County Council.

Library Assistants make a valuable contribution to the library service at both local level and centrally by delivering services direct to the public, supporting IT and other systems, and by providing support to library management.

The duties of the Library Assistant are consistent with the provision of a modern public library service that is responsive to the changing requirements of its wide range of customers of all ages and backgrounds.

The main role of the Library Assistant is the delivery of the library service (public and/or support) in the geographical and functional areas specified in this role description, in line with the priorities identified in The Library is the Place: Information, Recreation, Inspiration and Cultúr le Chéile: Strategic Plan for Culture Division 2022 – 2026.

Donegal County Library

The Library Service is based in the Planning, Communities & 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 My Open Library Service.

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

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.

2. Roles, Duties & Responsibilities

The duties of a 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, but are not limited to, the following:

• Providing frontline library services;

• Answering enquiries, helping students and researchers;

• Providing mediated access to library resources in-house and online;

• Using and promoting new technologies and assisting the public in using technology such as self service, internet, online resources, digital equipment, iPads, Android tablets, etc.;

• Operating the Library Management System to check-in and out material, update patron records, retrieve information, etc.;

• Recommending appropriate books for children and adults of different reading levels and interests;

• Organising library resources and making them available to users;

• Taking an active role in promoting the library service and resources, including the organisation, promotion and delivery of events and activities such as storytelling / rhymetime, book clubs, class visits, lectures, community events, festivals, publications and exhibitions, etc.;

• Assisting in the implementation of the Right to Read, Healthy Ireland at Your Library, Skills for Life, supporting Sustainable Development Goals and other national Programmes;

• Providing outreach services to schools and other community organisations;

• Shelving and keeping books and other media in order;

• Sorting, processing, cataloguing and distributing stock;

• Collating statistics and maintaining records;

• Administrative duties including financial processing;

• Forging links between the library, other Culture Division Services and Donegal County Council services, the education sector and the community;

• Supporting senior staff in service planning and delivery;

• Providing cover in other libraries when required to maintain opening hours and services;

• Adhering to all Donegal County Council policies, including Health & Safety and Child Protection policies and procedures;

• Any other duties as required by the County Librarian / Divisional Manager, Culture Division.

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 re-assignment 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.

3. Qualifications & Requirements of the Post

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has declared that the qualifications for Library Assistant 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, Experience etc.

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

I. Each candidate must have a good general level of education.

Please Note: 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.

(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 short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by candidates.

4. Particulars of the Post(a) General

Donegal County Council proposes to create three panels of qualified candidates for the position of Library Assistant 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 €31,119 minimum to max LSI2 €48,424 (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 Library Assistant 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 Library Assistant 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 / 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 Library Assistant 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 (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 child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA Member State, the UK 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 duties as a local authority employee.

(j) Garda Vetting

Candidates for the post may be subject to Garda Vetting.

All candidates must attain a satisfactory Garda Vetting Disclosure prior to appointment, otherwise the offer of employment will be withdrawn.

Where a Garda Vetting Disclosure indicates that there is a case pending, 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 one arise within the lifetime of the panel.

5. Recruitment ProcessA. 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 & Interview

Candidates may be short-listed for interview on the basis of information supplied.

In the event of a short-listing exercise being required, an Expert Panel will convene to examine and assess the application forms against a set of pre-determined 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.

Where it is considered, by reason of the number and standard of applications received, that it would be reasonable not to admit all candidates to interview, only persons likely to attain at interview a standard sufficient for selection and recommendation for appointment shall be called.

Candidates should note that interviews may be held within a short timeframe of the closing date of the competition.

C. Right to Information and Review – # LA 001

The Council is committed to offering feedback and information to candidates.

Any candidate who wishes to do so may request to have a decision or the process reviewed.

Any such request must be submitted in writing, stating the grounds of the request, and submitted to the Human Resources Department, Three Rivers Centre, Lifford, Co. Donegal, within five working days of the date of notification of a relevant decision, quoting the above reference number.

D. Confidentiality

Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, applications will be treated in strict confidence.

E. Other

Appointments to the Council are subject to satisfactory checks with regard to references, qualifications, medical examinations and Garda Vetting, as applicable.

F. Canvassing Will Disqualify

Any attempt by a candidate, or by any person acting on their behalf, to canvass or otherwise influence any officer of the Council, or persons nominated by it to interview or examine applicants, in the candidate’s favour, either directly or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise, will automatically disqualify the applicant for consideration for the position.

G. General Data Protection Regulation

Donegal County Council is committed to protecting your personal data and complies with its obligations under the Data Protection Acts, 1988 – 2018, and the General Data Protection Regulation.

Basis for Processing your Personal Information

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

When your application form is received, a computer record is created in your name which contains much of the personal information you have supplied. This record is used solely in processing your candidature.

You are entitled to obtain at any time a copy of information about you which is kept on record.

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 short-listing and or interview board.

If, following the competition, you are deemed a qualified candidate and offered a position, the information provided in your application form will form part of your Personnel File.

Furthermore, should you be offered a position and subsequently confirm your interest, the information provided on your application form will be used to request service records and employment references.

Storage Period

Your application will be retained for two years from the date of the competition.

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