Senior Library Assistant

The Role

Leitrim County Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of Senior Library Assistant in Dromahair Branch Library.

The Senior Library Assistant is a frontline and key support position within the structure of the Library Service. A Senior Library Assistant makes a valuable contribution to the provision of the Library Service centrally and at local branch level by providing support to library management and supervising staff. The role is a vital link in the team that promotes the library as a focal point for cultural activities, community engagement, and lifelong learning.

As the person in charge of managing the day-to-day running of the library, the Senior Library Assistant will also be called upon to manage and deliver a range of library programmes and initiatives both in the library and online.

The successful candidate will work as part of a multidisciplinary team within the Library Service, assisting with the implementation of work programmes to achieve goals, targets, and standards set out in the Library Development Plan and Team Plans, and which support actions identified in the National Public Library Strategy 2023–2027, The Library is the Place.

The successful candidate will be expected to use initiative and work to a high standard. He/she will work under the direction and management of the library senior management team, comprising the Executive Librarian, Senior Executive Librarian, and County Librarian.

Leitrim Library Service manages and supports a network of eight branch libraries, two of which offer a My Open Library Service, including Dromahair Branch Library. The libraries are strategically located across the county, together with a Local Studies Library based in Ballinamore Library.

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 users. Leitrim Library Service also engages with Roscommon and Sligo Library Services in relation to the joint delivery of agreed services and programmes through formal collaboration and resource sharing.

The Library Service is based within the Finance, Environment, Climate, Sustainable Communities and Library Services, and Manorhamilton Municipal District Directorate of Leitrim County Council.

The Council is seeking dynamic, creative, and motivated individuals to fill the role of Senior Library Assistant in Dromahair Branch Library. The successful candidates will assist in fulfilling the library vision of being open, accessible, a focal point for communities, and delivering quality customer service.

As the Library Service is a county-wide service, staff may be required to provide cover at, and may be reassigned to, any service point within County Leitrim as required by the County Librarian.

The Qualifications1. Character

Each candidate shall be of good character.

2. Health

Each candidate 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 for any of the above panels 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 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, Experience, etc.

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

(i) Have a good general level of education.

(ii) Have had at least two years’ satisfactory experience of library work.

Note: Candidates must hold a current valid and unendorsed Driving Licence in respect of Category B vehicles and must advise if this is not the case. A copy of the driving licence must be submitted with the application.

Candidates who require a Work Permit to work in Ireland must submit proof of same with their application.

The Ideal Candidate Shall Have

• An understanding of the changing library environment and be capable of adapting to change.
• An understanding of the role of a Senior Library Assistant.
• An ability to work effectively within a team to achieve a common goal, ensuring standards are adhered to and maintained, while also being capable of working on their own initiative, independently, and without supervision.
• An ability to manage time and workload and to plan work and allocation of staff and other resources effectively.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills and an ability to develop and maintain positive, productive, and beneficial working relationships.
• The ability to provide excellent customer service.
• The motivation to achieve maximum performance by supporting the current Performance Management and Development System (PMDS).
• Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems and online resources in a library environment.

The Duties

The duties of the office are to give to the local authority and:

(a) Such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts, 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 mentioned above,

under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive, or such other officers as the Chief Executive may determine, such appropriate services of an administrative, supervisory, and advisory nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any powers, duties, and functions delegated by the Chief Executive from time to time, including deputising for other officers of the local authority.

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

The duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting senior library staff in the delivery of library services to the public.
• Providing ICT support, including the library management system and RFID equipment.
• Collection management and development, including acquisition and cataloguing of library resources.
• Management of financial resources within a budgetary control framework.
• Carrying out administrative duties, including the compilation and reporting of library statistics.
• Managing and delivering new work practices and initiatives.
• Staff supervision.
• Supporting and delivering national programmes and services in reading and literacy, learning and information, and community and culture.
• Contributing to library programming, promotion, and marketing.
• Supporting and promoting My Open Library and self-service technologies.
• Providing relief cover in branch libraries as required.
• Liaising with community and education groups.
• Contributing to publicity and promotional activities, including online social media platforms.
• Managing and delivering library programming and events, including workshops, class visits, story times, reader development initiatives, lectures, and presentations.
• Ensuring standards and policies are adhered to regarding Health and Safety, Child Protection, and Data Protection.
• Participating in organisational Climate Action initiatives to promote capacity building, empower change, and deliver action.
• Carrying out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Competencies for the PostDelivering Results & Communicating Effectively

• Plans work and allocation of staff and resources effectively.
• Takes ownership of tasks and sees them through to satisfactory completion.
• Implements high-quality service and customer care standards.
• Is logical and pragmatic in approach, setting objectives and delivering results through effective prioritisation.
• Accurately estimates time requirements and plans contingencies to overcome obstacles.
• Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills.

Performance Management & Teamwork

• Supervises the team or work area to achieve corporate objectives.
• Works as part of a team to ensure delivery of library plans and programming.
• Demonstrates cooperation and mutual support, sharing information and knowledge appropriately.
• Maintains positive, productive, and beneficial working relationships.
• Addresses conflict or dissatisfaction constructively.

Personal Effectiveness

• Takes initiative and is proactive.
• Manages time and workload effectively.
• Maintains a positive, constructive, and enthusiastic attitude.
• Is open to new challenges and responsibilities.
• Demonstrates flexibility and openness to change.
• Acts with integrity and encourages the same in others.

Knowledge, Experience & Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government, particularly library services.
• Knowledge of current local government and library service issues.
• Clear understanding of the role, objectives, and targets and how they support library service delivery.
• Relevant experience, including working as part of a team.
• Experience preparing reports and correspondence.
• Knowledge and experience operating ICT systems.

The Principal Terms and Conditions1. Particulars of the Position

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

While the successful candidate will initially be assigned to Dromahair Branch Library, staff may be required to provide cover at, and may be reassigned to, any Library Service point within County Leitrim as required by the County Librarian and/or Chief Executive.

2. Salary

The salary scale for the post of Senior Library Assistant (Grade IV Analogous), applicable from 1 February 2026, is:

€36,113 €38,240 €41,259 €43,241 €44,975 €46,653 €48,917 €50,557 €52,239 €53,829 (LSI 1) €55,460 (LSI 2)

Entry point to the scale will be determined in accordance with relevant Departmental Circulars.

Offers of appointment to persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum of the scale.

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

The salary shall be fully inclusive. Holders of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or monies payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of services they are required to perform.

3. Residence

Leitrim County Council reserves the right to reassign an employee to any branch library or Council premises now or in the future.

The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which duties are performed or within a reasonable distance thereof and may be required to serve wherever assigned by the Local Authority.

4. Probation

All contracts will be subject to a probationary period during which performance will be regularly evaluated.

For permanent appointments:

• A probationary period of one year will apply.
• The Chief Executive may extend the probationary period at their discretion.
• Employment becomes permanent only when satisfactory service has been certified.
• Ongoing assessments will take place throughout probation.

Employment may be terminated by either party during probation, or at its conclusion, on one week’s notice.

5. Annual Leave

Annual leave entitlement is 30 days per annum.

The annual leave year coincides with the calendar year.

6. Health

Before appointment, each successful candidate must undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by the local authority.

7. Working Hours

The normal working week is 35 hours.

The successful candidate will be required to work contracted hours across a six-day period from Monday to Saturday and this will include weekend and late evening working hours.

The employer reserves the right to alter working hours as required to facilitate the Library Service.

The successful candidate may also be required to work additional hours on a time-off-in-lieu basis as necessary.