Senior Library Assistant

Job Summary

The Child and Family Agency was established on 1st January 2014 and is responsible for a range of statutory functions including provision of child protection, alternative care, specified regulatory services and a range of family support services. The Agency has commenced a major improvement programme with significant focus on Practice, Culture and Structure.

The Agency currently has responsibility for a budget of circa €1.2billion and delivers its services through over 5,500 people in 259 locations across the Country.

The Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the following range of services:

• Child Protection and Welfare
• Parenting, Family Support and Early Help Services
• Alternative Care
• Birth Information & Tracing and Adoption
• Tusla Education Support Services (TESS)
• Children’s Service Regulation
• Counselling and Therapeutic Supports

Further information is available on www.tusla.ie

Job Objectives

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Digital library & information services

• Act as a key point of contact for library enquiries via email, MS Teams or other virtual channels.
• Provide hands-on assistance to Tusla staff with literature searching and navigating electronic library resources such as databases, e-journals and e-books.
• Deliver user induction and training sessions, either individually or in groups, introducing new users to the library service and supporting the effective use of electronic resources.
• Support the development and maintenance of LibGuides and other online user help content.
• Coordinate inter-library loan (ILL) and document supply requests, ensuring all available sources are considered and that relevant copyright and licensing requirements are followed.

Resource management & systems

• Support the administration of the Koha Library Management System and other relevant electronic resource platforms and assist with the cataloguing and classification of new resources.
• Deliver usage reporting and evaluation of electronic resources via OpenAthens, library management system reporting and journal COUNTER reports.
• Monitor access issues and liaise with vendors and ICT colleagues to resolve technical problems in a timely manner.
• Manage the OpenAthens registration and renewal process, performing administrative and troubleshooting activities as required.
• Provide administrative assistance for library procurement processes.

Outreach

• Promote the library service through internal communications and awareness campaigns (e.g. newsletters, eTOCs, awareness weeks).

Service delivery & improvement

• Contribute to user feedback processes and service improvement initiatives.
• Participate in the development and documentation of procedures, workflows and service standards.
• Contribute to identifying tends in user needs or access issues to inform service improvements.
• Participate in projects related to digital service development, resource rollout and service innovation.

Administration

• Resource allocation and management
• The efficient day-to-day administration of area of responsibility
• Collection and management of required data and metrics
• Provide practical help with training events, regional workshops etc.
• Carry out any other tasks as directed by the Line Manager
• Maintain own knowledge of relevant procedures, practices and legislation to perform the role effectively and to ensure standards are met.
• Use appropriate technology to ensure work completed to a high standard
• Maintain confidentiality of documentation, records etc
• Ensure consistent adherence to procedures within area of responsibility.
• Ensure that service-users are treated with dignity and respect.

Human Resources

• Pay close and accurate detail to own personal work
• Support the preparation and issuing of office documentation (correspondence, reports etc) to the highest possible standard.
• Co-operate and work in harmony with other teams and disciplines.
• Ensure line management is kept informed of all issues.

Education and Training

• To maintain continuous personal development and participate in team-based development, education, training and learning.
• To complete all mandatory training.
• Where appropriate, arrange for the induction and training for assigned staff, as required to maximise skill resources, (to include workplace experience placements where applicable).
• Where appropriate, provide supervision and assist in the development of knowledge, skills of relevant staff under your supervision.
• To participate in performance evaluation / review, identifying areas for improvement and appropriate plans / measures to achieve them.

Health & Safety

• Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the service for example National Standards for Child Protection and Care and comply with associated Tusla – Child and Family Agency protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Skills Requirement

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

• Have at least 2 years’ experience relevant to the requirements of the role.

AND

• Possess sufficient capacity to discharge the functions of the grade/post.

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Attachment(s) :

Candidate Information Pack Grade V – Senior Library Assistant June 2026.pdf