Senior Executive Librarian

The Role

The Council now invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent and fixed-term contract posts for the position of Senior Executive Librarian will be drawn.

The Senior Executive Librarian position is a senior professional management post within Westmeath Library Service, which comprises Library HQ in Mullingar and a network of six branch libraries strategically located across the county.

In July 2023, a new five-year national public library strategy was introduced – The Library is the Place – Information, Recreation, Inspiration. The strategy continues to build on technological and service innovations of recent years and focuses on improving access, use and visibility of public libraries as an essential community service. It proposes new actions on lifelong learning, cultural heritage, digital inclusion and makes a clear contribution to sustainable development and climate action, with actions designed to help Ireland achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The library service is constantly innovating and diversifying in a dynamic and changing environment, taking advantage of technological advancement to deliver a wide and varied range of front-line services to customers. Provision of My Open Library (MOL) services is a reflection of the requirement for adaptable, flexible services which meet community needs outside of regular staffed library hours. My Open Library services are currently operational in four branches in Westmeath, and it is envisaged that by the end of 2026 the service will be operational in all locations. Library branches are open six days a week with a minimum of one late night.

The post of Senior Executive Librarian requires high-level professional library, leadership and management skills. The successful candidate will be responsible for the management and development of library services including staff supervision, resources, facilities, finances, programming and marketing, and will have responsibility for managing a number of key specific service areas. The job profile is likely to evolve as the service changes and develops to meet changing community needs.

Staff may be required to provide cover at, and may be reassigned to, any service point within County Westmeath as required by the County Librarian.

The Senior Executive Librarian will work as part of a multidisciplinary Library Service team to implement work programmes that deliver the goals, targets and standards set out in the Library Development Plan, Team Plans and the National Public Library Strategy 2023–2027, The Library is the Place. The post requires a high level of professional library and management skills and will include strategic and operational roles.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Senior Executive Librarian will report to the County Librarian, or such other officer as may be assigned from time to time.

The main duties and responsibilities of the post will be consistent with the provision of a modern 21st-century public library service which is responsive to the changing requirements of users of all ages and abilities. The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Supporting the County Librarian in the overall strategic management, development and delivery of the Westmeath County Library Service.
• Leading the implementation of the Library Development Programme to support delivery of the Council's Corporate Plan, Libraries Development Plan and relevant local and national strategies.
• Contributing to forward planning, policy development, capital projects and strategic service delivery plans.
• Leading and supporting change management initiatives across the library service in collaboration with the County Librarian.
• Managing countywide service development, including collections, services, facilities, ICT systems, e-services and information services.
• Overseeing cultural programming, reading and literacy initiatives, learning and information services, and community and cultural engagement programmes.
• Developing and delivering community engagement, outreach and participation initiatives, including liaison with local communities, education providers and key stakeholders.
• Leading marketing, communications, media engagement and public relations activities to support strategic objectives and grow library membership and usage.
• Managing and overseeing administrative and corporate functions, including budgets, procurement, HR, ICT, health and safety, facilities management, risk management and corporate governance.
• Preparing, managing and monitoring budgets and ensuring programmes and projects are delivered within approved financial parameters.
• Ensuring effective governance and compliance across the library service, including child safeguarding, data protection, health and safety, risk management, sustainable development and business continuity in line with Council policies.
• Managing information systems and services, including user education, circulation systems and self-service technologies such as My Open Library.
• Identifying opportunities for service improvement and utilising performance indicators and reporting frameworks to monitor and enhance service delivery.
• Building and maintaining effective partnerships and collaborative networks with local authority colleagues, external agencies, national bodies and library stakeholders to support social inclusion and lifelong learning.
• Active engagement in relation to the joint delivery of agreed services and programmes through formal collaboration and resource sharing with other Library Services.
• Representing the Library Service and/or Westmeath County Council at Council, Municipal District, local and national committees, steering groups and meetings, providing reports and presentations as required.
• Managing, supervising and supporting employees up to Executive Librarian grade, including performance management (PMDS), workload allocation, training, development and staff support.
• Providing specialist advice, expertise and project support as required across the library service.
• Communicating and liaising effectively with staff, senior management, elected members, library users and other stakeholders on operational and strategic matters.
• Managing and delivering excellent customer service.
• Working in compliance with Health and Safety legislative requirements, policies and procedures and safe systems of work.
• Participating in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to the grade.
• Deputising for the County Librarian as required.
• Undertaking any other duties of a similar level and responsibility appropriate to the grade, as may be required or assigned from time to time.

The post holder may 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 duties as designated from time to time.

Qualifications for the Post1. Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. Health

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

3. 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

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.

4. Education, Training and Experience

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

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

(ii) Have satisfactory experience of library work, including satisfactory experience at a management level.

Please supply copies of any relevant qualification certificates with the application form.

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 will be a highly motivated person with drive and commitment to delivering quality public services and continual professional development, who can demonstrate clear knowledge and understanding of:

Local authority services, key stakeholders and relationships.

Local government structures and their democratic role and mandate.

National and international public library policy and strategy.

Excellent knowledge of the structure and functions of the local government library service, current issues, future trends and the strategic direction of library services in the 21st century, and an understanding of the role of the Senior Executive Librarian in this context.

The ability to plan strategically for the future development of the library service.

A strong commitment to modern and innovative service delivery and willingness to take on challenges.

Excellent IT skills, including knowledge and understanding of relevant ICT packages, Library Management Systems (LMS), and awareness of AI and other emerging technologies.

A good understanding of the role of digital technologies in the delivery of public library services.

The ability to work on their own initiative, work within and lead multidisciplinary teams, and motivate, empower and encourage staff to achieve maximum performance.

Excellent interpersonal, communication, networking and advocacy skills.

Relevant management and administrative experience at a sufficiently high level.

A career record demonstrating a high level of competence in staff management.

The ability to develop and deliver programmes and projects, and experience in planning and prioritising to meet targets and deadlines for multiple tasks while delegating work appropriately.

Excellent experience of creative cultural and community programming, literacy development, collections development and innovative services for all age groups.

The ability to ensure policies, procedures and quality standards are adhered to and maintained, particularly those supporting safe services.

The ability to develop and maintain strong and productive working relationships within the organisation and with service users and external agencies.

Excellent experience in community and stakeholder engagement and the ability to work collaboratively with other departments within Westmeath County Council, other library authorities and relevant stakeholders to achieve common goals and desired outcomes.

The ability to effectively manage financial resources within a budgetary control framework.

Experience of problem-solving and decision-making.

Openness and the ability to understand and adapt to the changing environment in which Westmeath County Council operates.

A good understanding of workplace safety management, including Health and Safety legislation and regulations.

Motivation to achieve maximum performance by supporting the current Performance Management and Development System (PMDS).

The ability to deputise at a senior level.

Particulars of Office (Including Retirement)1. The Post

A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel may be used to fill permanent and fixed-term positions that arise during its lifetime. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit from the panel. Vacancies may arise on a county-wide basis. Westmeath County Council reserves the right to assign employees to any work location having regard to funding and/or operational circumstances.

2. Salary

The current salary for the post of Senior Executive Librarian is €61,217 - €79,583 per annum (including Long Service Increments) as per Circular EL 04/2026. Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance.

Entry to the salary scale will be determined in accordance with the circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

New entrants to the Local Authority Service commence on the first point of the scale in accordance with current Government policy as set out in Department of the Environment Circular Letter EL 02/2011 of 28 January 2011 and Circular EL 05/2016 dated 5 February 2016.

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employee's nominated bank account. The current pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment.

Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, including PAYE and PRSI. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance, and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory.

You agree that, in the event of an overpayment of salary or other monies, the Council reserves the right to deduct monies from your wages (for the purposes of the Payment of Wages Act 1991) to reimburse the Council for the amount of the overpayment(s), in accordance with Section 5(5) of the Payment of Wages Act 1991.

3. Superannuation and Retirement

Membership of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees. Details of the relevant scheme will be provided to the appointee prior to appointment.

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority and is liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of superannuation, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (that is, pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of the Social Insurance Old Age Contributory Pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children).

A person paying the Class A rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority will also be required, in respect of the Local Government (Spouses' and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme, to contribute at the rate of 1.5% of net pensionable remuneration.

A person who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority and is liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required to contribute 5% of pensionable remuneration. Depending on their existing scheme, they may also contribute 1.5% of pensionable remuneration to either the Local Government (Widows and Orphans Contributory Pension) Scheme or the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme.

Employees are admitted to the Superannuation Scheme in accordance with the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Act 1998 and the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 from the date of appointment. The scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement and death gratuities.

To qualify for a pension under the Local Government Superannuation Scheme, an employee must have completed a minimum of two years' service in a local authority.

For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (effective from 1 January 2013), contributions are 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sums are based on career-average pay and coordinated with the State Pension (Contributory) in accordance with the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012. The compulsory retirement age for new entrants under this Act is 70 years.

Under the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, there is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the public service from 1 April 2004. The minimum retirement age at which pension benefits may be paid is 65 years.

Anyone who is not considered a new entrant under the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 years.