Senior Library Assistant

1. PREAMBLE

Mary Immaculate College (MIC) is an autonomous, university-level, Catholic College of Education and the Liberal Arts. Founded in 1898, and linked academically with the University of Limerick, MIC is the oldest higher education institution in Limerick. Significant expansion in recent decades has seen the College’s offerings expand across two modern campuses, one based in Limerick City and one in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The student community consists of more than 5,000 learners, participating in fifteen undergraduate degree programmes and several postgraduate programmes extending to PhD/Doctoral level. Academic staff engage in a wide range of academic research areas, and research underpins all teaching and learning at MIC. MIC seeks to prepare its students for professional excellence and to nurture their capacity to lead flourishing lives.

2. CANDIDATE PROFILE & SCOPE OF THE POSITION

Mary Immaculate College wishes to fill the new position of Senior Library Assistant on a full-time, permanent basis.

This is an important role within the College. The successful candidate will be highly motivated, proactive and flexible. The appointee will have a strong commitment to providing a quality library service and will be expected to contribute actively and positively to the further development of the Library.

Essential Qualifications, Experience & Skills:

Desirable: 6. A qualification in Librarianship or similar. 7. Supervisory management experience.

Cuirfear fáilte roimh iarratais ó dhaoine go bhfuil dearcadh dearfach acu i leith na Gaeilge. Applications are welcome from people who have a positive outlook to Irish.

3. JOB DESCRIPTION

Reporting Relationship

The Senior Library Assistant is required to carry out the duties attached to the post under the general direction of the Assistant Librarian, to whom they report and to whom they are responsible in the first instance, and then to the Director of Library & Information Services.

The Senior Library Assistant will report through the Director of Library & Information Services to the Vice President of Administration and Finance or to such other College Officers as the President may designate from time to time. The appointee will liaise with the Deans of Arts and Education, Heads of Departments, Course Leaders, Heads of Professional Services functions and other College personnel and with relevant College bodies in carrying out the duties attaching to the post.

The reporting relationship may be subject to review from time to time, in line with service needs and developments in the College.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Library is closely integrated with the academic life of the College. This entails providing a wide variety of services, as required by the College staff and students. These services should always be provided in a courteous and efficient manner.

General Duties

In general, all Library personnel should assist in the good running of the Library, and in the maintenance of appropriate behaviour. This Senior Library Assistant role is in the area of Information Services. Whilst, in the first instance, the person appointed will report to the Assistant Librarian (Information & User Services), and then to the Director, they are very much part of the team providing a smooth running and efficient Library Service across all MIC campus Libraries.

The Senior Library Assistant (Information Services) will liaise closely with the other Senior Library Assistants at all times and will be responsible for the performance of the duties outlined below.

Staff Supervision

• Oversee the daily operations and functions of the Information Service Area.

• Train and supervise staff working in the Information Services Area.

Information Services & Information Literacy

• Provide teaching assistance to the Assistant Librarian Information & User Service and carry out training of students and/or staff as directed, including the delivery of information literacy sessions.

• Provide orientation and advice to students and staff on Library services. Assist in the creation and maintenance of online instructional material, including information guides and leaflets, to highlight Information Services and subject-specific support.

• Oversee the management of LibGuides and LibCal and update Library opening hours.

• Assist with the library orientation programme for new students and staff.

• Assist with referencing support, including Endnote, and promote and assist with academic integrity education.

• Support academic liaison activities, including preparing resources and maintaining the MIC Reading Lists (Leganto).

• Coordinate the distribution of SPSS software to staff and students in collaboration with the SLA User Services.

Engagement & Communication

• Oversee the promotion and marketing of library services, internally and externally, using technology and approaches including social media, newsletters, and email.

• Work with SLA User Services to coordinate requests for library visits, tours, and access.

• Oversee, with SLA User Services, the research, design, and promotion of library displays, initiatives, and events (e.g. organise regular book displays relevant to the time of year and campus theme).

• Assist in the evaluation of library services, including user feedback collection and analysis.

• Manage and update the content of the Library Website.

Administration & Service Delivery

• Maintain procedures manual for process and equipment operations in Information Services.

• Manage support to users via the Library’s instant messaging service and email monitoring.

• Respond to a wide range of queries regarding all aspects of Library service provision, from catalogue and online resources to the print collection.

• Under the guidance of the Information & User Services Librarian, liaise with publishers and suppliers to organise Information Services events and training sessions.

Other Duties

• Assist in future planning of Library services.

• Serve on College and Library Committees across MIC campuses as required.

• Liaise with and deputise for SLA User Services as required.

• Provide cover for SLA Collections Management when necessary.

• Collaborate and liaise with library staff at the Thurles Campus as appropriate.

Staff are expected to function flexibly and work as a team. Duties are not exhaustive and may be reassigned according to College needs.

4. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

General All persons employed will sign an appropriate contract containing terms and conditions of employment. A job description is provided to all applicants and forms part of the contract documentation.

Place of Work The appointee’s place of work will be Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. The College reserves the right to require work at another location. Appointees must reside within a reasonable distance of the College.

Exclusivity of Service and Outside Work The appointee must devote full-time attention to College duties and act in the best interests of the College. Outside work may not be undertaken without prior written consent of the Vice President of Administration and Finance (VPAF). Any permitted work must be clearly identified as private and not associated with the College.

Probationary Period The appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a 6-month probationary period, extendable up to 11 months. Performance and conduct will be reviewed through assessment meetings. Termination during probation may occur at the discretion of the College.

Hours of Attendance Full-time working hours are 35 per week:

• Monday to Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (1-hour unpaid lunch break).

• Friday: 9:00 am – 4:45 pm (45-minute unpaid lunch break).

Evening/weekend work may be required. Time-off-in-lieu (TOIL) or overtime may apply in line with College policy. The College reserves the right to adjust duty times.

Salary This post is at Senior Library Assistant grade. With effect from 1st August 2025, the annual salary scale is:

€38,600; €40,760; €42,740; €44,478; €46,152; €48,417; €50,055; €51,717; €53,296 (LSI); €54,911 (LSI 2)

Increments are awarded in line with national pay agreements. Salary is paid monthly via Paypath, subject to statutory deductions.

Superannuation

New entrants will join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme under the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act, 2012.

Other eligible appointees will be included in the Colleges of Education Pension Scheme with contributions of 6.5%. Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC) under the Public Service and Pensions Act 2017 also applies.

• Appointees employed in the public service between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 without a break greater than 6 months have no mandatory retirement age.

• All others have a mandatory retirement age of 70.

Staff not eligible for either scheme may avail of a PRSA. Further information is available from the Finance Office.