The Job Role: Library Services Manager
Contract: Full-time, permanent. 35 hours per week, including working until 8.00pm one day per week and on Saturday when requested.
Reporting to: Director of Library Services
Line Manager responsibility: Graduate Trainee, Library Assistant, Evening Assistants x 4- 6 people
The Library Service Manager ensures the smooth running of Library services and communications, maintains and develops a programme of legal research training, and deputises for the Director of Library Services.
Main Responsibilities and Duties
1.1 Front-line Library services and staffing
- To act as ‘floor-manager’, maintaining an overview of services, facilities, usage, and the team; to be the senior member of staff on call to deal with operational matters as required.
- To be responsible for day-to-day staffing levels, supervision of junior staff, management of the shared calendar, and timely communication of service announcements.
- To line-manage the Graduate Trainee, the Library Assistant and Evening Assistants.
- To arrange training and visits for the Graduate Trainee and the Library Assistant; to arrange and contribute to a programme of in-house training on library/information topics.
- To organise recruitment and co-ordinate staff inductions; with the Director of Library Services, to select candidates, conduct interviews, and choose the successful applicant.
1.2 Legal research training
- To design and present practical legal research training as part of the Inn’s programme of Qualifying Sessions.
- To provide bespoke one-to-one training to members.
- To expand the range of training offered and develop other staff as trainers.
- To take part in the delivery of legal research training on the ICCA Bar Course and to update the ICCA Guide to Legal Research.
- To keep abreast of the content and functionality of the main legal databases; to arrange updates and training as needed for staff and members.
- To create training and research materials in hardcopy and digital format, e.g. subject guides and research tips.
1.3 Deputising for the Director of Library Services
- To deputise for the Director of Library Services as required, including attending meetings, dealing with issues of policy, staffing, customer service, security, health and safety, etc.
- To liaise with other departments of Gray’s Inn and with the other Inn Libraries.
- To promote the Library and, where appropriate, the Inn more generally.
- To take on tasks or projects delegated by the Director of Library Services from time to time.
1.4 Research and enquiries
- To assist in the provision of professional research and enquiry services to barristers and students, including staffing the enquiry desk on a rota basis and providing cover as required.
1.5 Communication and events
- To co-ordinate all Library communications, including via the Inn’s website and social media channels, promotional materials, signage, etc.
- To work with other members of the Library team and the Inn’s Digital & Marketing team to ensure timely and relevant communication.
- To oversee the distribution of current awareness material by the department.
- To contribute to events such as Student Introductory Evening, presentations to law schools, and Library tours.
1.6 General
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- Some library housekeeping may be required from time to time, e.g. shelving, loose-leaf updating, or stock movement.
- Other tasks or projects as required by the Inn.
Qualifications, experience and skills
- A university degree and a qualification in library or information studies.
- A detailed knowledge of hardcopy and online legal information resources.
- Experience of working in a law firm or barristers’ chambers is desirable; academic law library experience might also be helpful but is not a pre-requisite.
- Practical experience of designing and delivering legal research training.
- Experience of managing staff.
- Confident public speaker, excellent written skills, the ability to converse with a range of people at all levels.
- Excellent IT skills, preferably including Excel, PowerPoint, web-based technologies, library management systems.
- Organisational skills and project management.
- A team player.
Apply for this role
This vacancy closes on Tuesday 30 April.
The Inn offers 33 days annual leave and an 8% pension contribution. If you would like to apply, please email your CV and covering letter to recruitment quoting the reference Library Services Manager in the subject line.
The covering letter should contain:
• A full description of your suitability for the role
• Your motivation for applying
• Your current remunerations details and notice period
• The name, job title, organisation, email address and contact details for two professional referees (these would not be approached without prior permission).
Successful candidates called for interview will be expected to give a five minute presentation, without visual aids, on a topic to be confirmed.