Library Assistant National Irish Visual Arts

School /Unit: National Irish Visual Arts Library (NIVAL)

Post Title & Subject Area (if relevant): Library Assistant

Post Duration: FTE 0.5, permanent

Grade: Grade IV

Reports to: NIVAL Manager

The National College of Art and Design is Ireland’s leading provider of art and design education for art practitioners and for teachers of art. The campus houses two world-class libraries for the study of International and Irish art and design: The Edward Murphy Library and the National Irish Visual Arts Library (NIVAL).

The National Irish Visual Arts Library (NIVAL) is a public research resource dedicated to the documentation of 20th and 21st century Irish visual art and design. NIVAL collects, stores and makes accessible for research an unparalleled collection of documentation about Irish art in all media. The collection includes monographs, exhibition catalogues, journals, press material and ephemera, institutional records and artist’s archives.

NIVAL is available free of charge and without membership to anyone with an interest in current, historical or biographical information on visual art and design in Ireland. NIVAL is supported by the Arts Council through the Strategic Funding programme and by the Department of Culture, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and Regional and Rural Affairs under the Arts & Culture Capital Scheme.

This post will be an integral part of delivering an excellent service and experience to all Library users. The post holder will be part of a team of library assistants working collaboratively and on self-directed projects. The position requires close ties to communities of creative practice and the ability to advocate confidently for the development of the resource.

Salary: Grade IV salary scale: €39,100- €52,240 pro-rata, i.e., €19,550-€26,120 per annum*

*Candidates should note that as per Department of Finance guidelines, entry will be at the minimum point of the scale and the rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Different terms and conditions may apply if you are a currently serving civil or public servant.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• To ensure the smooth and efficient running of NIVAL as part of a team
• To provide a full range of readers’ services to facilitate access for researchers and depositors
• To retrieve and control library material being consulted by researchers
• To exercise care and vigilance in the handling and management of collection material
• To liaise with the arts community for the acquisition of documentary information
• To actively collect and integrate relevant material into the collection
• To assist in the arrangement and listing of newly arrived archival collections
• To engage with NIVAL’s online resources, including the creation of database records
• To assist with office administration when required
• To contribute to the delivery of a suite of library inductions
• To assist in the promotion of NIVAL including representation at public events
• Any other duties within scope of the role, assigned by the Head of Department or Senior College Management
• Adhere to all policies, procedures and internal controls including all Health and Safety regulations, completing all training(s) determined by the College as required

Selection Criteria

Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory

• Academic qualification (NFQ Level 6 or higher) in a relevant discipline
• A minimum of 2 years’ previous experience of working in a library, archive or research environment
• A measurable interest in 20th century and contemporary Irish art and design
• Close ties to communities of creative practice in Ireland
• Experience of dealing with the public
• Evidence of collaborative working skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to manage and prioritise a busy workload and work to deadlines
• High level of IT proficiency including spreadsheets and data input

Desirable

• Familiarity with research methods
• Awareness of archival standards and their application
• Awareness of intellectual property rights
• A demonstrable interest in working with library users in a learning environment

Application Questions

• A minimum of 2 years’ previous experience of working in a library, archive or research environment
• A measurable interest in 20th century and contemporary Irish art and design
• Close ties to communities of creative practice in Ireland