Services and Liaison Librarian

The Purpose of the Role Applications are invited for the post of Services and Liaison Librarian, Research Collections, at the Library of Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin. This is an exciting new role to work with a team who support researchers, as well as and undergraduate and postgraduate students, in their use of the unique and distinctive collections in the Library’s care dating from 3,000 BC to the present day. The Services and Liaison Librarian, Research Collections, will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the team who deliver study centre services, as well as supporting an expanding programme of academic-led seminars which are integrated into the Trinity curriculum and beyond. The successful candidate will be expected to focus on increasing positive engagement with the physical collections in a user-focussed environment, whilst also ensuring the careful handling of collections and their ongoing security. To successfully integrate the services, various policies and practices will require review and amendment. The Services and Liaison Librarian will report to the Head of Research Collections and engage regularly with the curatorial team of Assistant Librarians in the division to ensure adequate, in-depth research support is provided to study centre users, and ensure that the daily delivery of frontline support is provided at the highest possible level by the team of staff who welcome and supervise readers. The post holder will also regularly liaise with colleagues across the Readers’ Services division to ensure consistency across services in different library spaces.

Context The Research Collections division is undergoing change with ongoing preparations for the redevelopment of the historic Old Library building, home to its world class collections and associated reading room space. The redevelopment project will deliver a new and inspirational Research Collections study centre and adjacent seminar facility for current and future users of the collections. In the interim period until building reopening, a temporary study centre facility will provide an integrated service in the Ussher Library basement: bringing together fully, for the first time, access to the collections of early printed books and special collections, with manuscripts and archives – adjacent to the Map Library reading room.

This is a permanent, full-time position. The post is subject to satisfactory completion of a probation period. This position is 35 hours per week (pro-rata), 7 hours each day Monday to Friday, e.g. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with a lunch hour. It currently does not attract flexitime; however a flexible working day can be arranged by agreement with the line manager. In addition, the postholder will work on the Saturday Duty roster on a pro-rata basis (currently one in every seven for full-time equivalent staff) and some evening duties.

Main Responsibilities This is a list of the tasks, duties and responsibilities for the role. Service • To evaluate, update and implement changes to policies and practices associated with the delivery of an integrated Research Collections study centre: including those associated with access and registration, material retrieval and issuing, service hours, enquiry handling, collection security, GDPR compliance, seminar bookings, etc. • To deliver a user-focused service for scholars and students at all levels, with the support of the team of staff who greet, supervise and assist users of the centre, and who deliver back-office activities. • To maintain oversight of the quality of user facilities and experiences, including upkeep and improvements of user guides and information on the webpage.

• To monitor and analyse user feedback, visitor numbers and enquiry statistics with the purpose of identifying trends and then prioritising service developments or new initiatives. • To maintain oversight of the Centre’s supervision rota, and to address gaps due to absence/vacancy; to participate in reading room supervision, as required; and to work on a roster of Saturday and evening duty. • To meet regularly with the team delivering study centre service, to share experiences and updates, to provide regular training opportunities, to encourage personal development, and to support the implementation of new service objectives. • Liaison with the curatorial team to ensure expert level support is available to researchers and undergraduate and postgraduate students working with Research Collections material, and to promote long-standing partnerships with researchers. • Regular liaison with the three Deputy Heads of Reader Services responsible for space, digital systems and services, and teaching and research support to ensure consistency of service across the whole Library and ongoing improvements to services. • To maintain an awareness and participate in wider developments in the provision of excellent reader service by attending relevant meetings, seminars, workshops and other professional events as required, and liaising with colleagues in other academic libraries. • Contribute to wider library initiatives and working groups, such as those dealing with web services, offsite collection storage, the library management system, access policies, communications, conservation and digitisation programmes, etc. Collection care and data protection • To ensure the utmost care and security of the collections, and the compliance of readers and staff with necessary legislation (such as data protection and copyright, dignity and respect, and health and safety, etc.).

General • To show a commitment to ongoing professional development. • Other related duties as directed by the Head of Research Collections.

Person Requirements The role-holder will require the following knowledge, skills and attributes for successful performance in the role.

Qualifications • Good honours degree – essential. • Professional postgraduate qualification in Library or Information Studies, or Archival Management – essential.

Knowledge • Understanding of and commitment to excellent customer service, and able to form lasting positive relationships with service users – essential. • An interest in a specific area or aspect of the Library’s Research Collections – desirable.

Experience • At least two years’ experience; working in an academic library and/or with special collections in a customer facing role – essential. • Experience of managing staff, including determining objectives, motivating, and confident in delivering change during a complex period in the development of an organization – essential.

Skills • Creative approach to problem solving, using initiative and collaborating with others to resolve issues and to deliver new services. • Excellent IT skills including experience with the suite of MS programmes - essential. • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. • Ability to organise and prioritise workload and meet deadlines while paying attention to detail.

Personal attributes • Ability to work independently and also as part of a team. • Commitment to a service ethos