Job Profile

Library staff need to:

• Be able to work with people from all walks of life and of all ages from the very young to the old.
• Have an interest in and experience of computers.
• Be good communicators - both in writing and in a verbal form.

Duties may include:

• Dealing with enquiries from users, both in person and over the telephone
• Working on the counter issuing books and taking in returns using a computerised system
• Collecting fines for late books
• Reserving books
• Enrolling new readers and renewing existing memberships •Keeping the library tidy and shelving books in alphabetical or numerical order
• Sending out letters regarding overdue books
• Arranging inter-library loans
• Carrying out minor book repairs (such as taping loose pages in place) or arranging for repairs to be done

Job Description

Nottinghamshire has produced a generic job description for

• Librarian
• Assistant Librarian

Please note that the job description shown here is for guidance only and may not necessarily match the individual job descriptions of all schools.

Qualifications

Librarian:

• Mature entrants with relevant work experience may be accepted without formal qualifications
• Professional status is either via a degree accredited by the Library Association or by means of a degree in any subject but followed by a postgraduate diploma/Master’s degree accredited by the Association.
• Most members will gain Associateship within two years of taking up their first professional post.

Assistant Librarian:

• Most posts will ask for at least 4 GCSEs at grades A-C including English, or GNVQs/GSVQs.
• For some posts applicants may need A levels/Highers or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC/SQA national certificates/diplomas or Advanced GNVQs/GSVQs Level III.
• Training is mainly on the job under the supervision of senior staff. Library assistants may be encouraged to work towards NVQs/SVQs in Library and Information Services at levels 2, 3 and 4
• City and Guilds and SQA also offer courses in library and information science via part time or distance learning to those already employed in libraries.
• Apprenticeships in Information and Library Services may be available.

CPD Opportunities

Search for courses

Where am I now?

Use the journey planner on the Training and Development Agency (TDA) website for support staff to build a personal development route for yourself.

You can register for the planner here www.skills4schools.co.uk/register.asp

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