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Assistant Librarian
Location: Oxford OX3 0EE
Salary: £33,232- £39,105 per annum plus benefits
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
The Role
The core duties and responsibilities of the post are:
Reader Services:
- Dealing with email, phone or front-desk enquiries from students and researchers.
- Assisting internal and public access to the Library collections, offering support on a oneto-one basis.
- Assisting with the retrieval and re-shelving of requested material
- Participating in and delivering onsite and offsite information services such as induction and information skills training.
- Photocopying and scanning of requested material in line with copyright policy.
- Collecting and analyzing reader’s data (in accordance with the GDPR regulations) in order to support the evaluation of services.
Collection management:
- Cataloguing and copy-cataloguing of material in Arabic and Western languages according to RDA/MARC21 standard using Library of Congress classification
- Receiving and processing serials and monographs
- Retrieving reports and statistics from ALMA as requested for related committees and meetings
- Developing and maintaining statistics relevant to the Centre’s collection
- Supporting the Librarian in book acquisitions, content selection and overall administration of donations
- Participating in annual audit, retention, storage and disposal of the library collections.
- Keeping up to date with the developments of the library management system (ALMA) and all related software (eg. SOLO) through the OLIS mailing list and Bodleian technical services.
Library Management:
- Deputizing for the Librarian in her absence
- Managing the Library budget together with the Librarian
- General management of the Library supply material (keeping stock, placing orders, dealing with vendors and shipment companies, budgeting)
- General management of the Library documentation together with the Librarian
- General open-shelf and stack space management
- Assisting the Librarian with the training and supervision of the Library Assistants
- Acting as a Secretary to the termly meetings of the Library Committee
- Participating in a staff rota if required
Outreach:
- Participating in the organization of Library book displays
- Collaborating with relevant inhouse and external partners in support of the Library’ public activities
- Updating information on the Library website
- Attending Centre functions to promote the Library’s interests
- Participating as required in external meetings relevant to the Library’s work (MELCom UK, Melibox, etc.)
Skills and Qualifications
Essential:
- Honours degree or equivalent, in a subject area related to Middle East or Islamic studies.
- Excellent standard of oral and written English.
- Good to excellent knowledge of Arabic.
- Excellent IT skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office.
- A good understanding of electronic information resources and digital media.
- Cataloguing experience and knowledge of relevant cataloguing standards (AACR2/MARC/RDA)
- Knowledge and experience with library management systems
- Previous experience of at least 3 years in a paid position in an academic library.
- Accuracy and attention to detail.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently and to collaborate as part of a team.
- Ability to manage time effectively and prioritize the most important tasks.
- A readiness to participate in the wider intellectual and social life of the Centre.
Desirable:
- Experience in writing reports
- Knowledge of the educational and informational infrastructure related to the field of Islamic Studies in the UK and Oxford in particular.
- Knowledge of Persian and/or Urdu.
- Knowledge of Data Protection legislation and understanding of Information Security.
- Experience with managing budgets.
- A professional qualification in librarianship or information science.
Benefits
- 35 days leave per annum, including public holidays
- Enrolment into USS pension scheme
- Lunches provided during term time (when available)
- Free parking (while available)
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable organisation, please do not hesitate to apply.
Closing date for applications is 25 April 2025.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in the week commencing 12 May 2025.
