25.02 - Research & Reference Services (RRS) Assistant (Court Papers)
Posted: 16/01/2025 13:27 Salary: Grade 4a: £28,040- £34,083 per annum Location: Edinburgh Deadline: 30/01/2025 17:00 Hours: 35.00 Benefits: Generous range of benefits Job Type: Permanent
To apply for this vacancy, you must complete an Application Form which can be accessed on the Application Form tab of this site. Please note that applications must be submitted in the correct format of an application form as CV's will not be accepted.
Post reports to: Research & Reference Services Deputy Librarian/Archivist
Job Purpose
* The Research & Reference Services (RRS) team is part of the overall Advocates Library team which is under the direction of the Head of the Library. The main priority of the Advocates Library is to provide an excellent library service to Members of the Faculty of Advocates and manage the legal deposit collections that form the largest and oldest working law library in Scotland.
* The priorities of the RRS team are to provide a legal and general enquiry service to Advocates Library users, manage loans from and to the National Library of Scotland (NLS); to be responsible for borrowing services and, together with Collection and Access Services (CAS) team, generally ensure the smooth running of the Library. Additionally, the RRS team is responsible for developing new services to support Members and provide training and user education in all aspects of library services.
* Post holder will assist the RRS Deputy Librarian in managing the Library’s collections of Court Papers, making these available to members, and dealing with Court Papers related enquiries.
* Post holder will assist with the provision of a legal enquiry and reference service to Advocates Library users, and in maintaining the Advocates Library.
Responsibilities
Court Papers
* To assist the RRS Deputy Librarian with the updating and maintenance of the Court Papers Databases.
* To accession new court papers.
* To assist the RRS Deputy Librarian with the collection of Session and Justiciary Papers, ensuring compliance with data protection.
* To assist the RRS Deputy Librarian with the collection of UK Supreme Court and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council Appeal Papers.
* Issuing indexing, checking, and uploading returned indexing to the Court Papers Databases.
* To deal with Court Papers related enquiries, maintaining appropriate records, and ensuring data protection compliance.
* To check selected law reports series, adding citations to the Court Papers Databases.
* To assist with the collating of reports and statistics.
* To check and process invoices.
* To process Court Papers for binding.
* To be aware of policy guidelines, maintain work manuals and share knowledge across the RRS and wider library teams.
* To undertake any other task or project as reasonably assigned by the RRS Deputy Library, RRS Librarian or Head of the Library.
* To provide cover, and assistance for the RRS Deputy Librarian.
RRS
* To answer research enquiries from library users in a professional and timely manner to the required standard.
* To develop an excellent working knowledge of key print and online sources of legal information.
* To support library users in their use of online resources and the library discovery layer (Enterprise).
* To use the Library Management System (SirsiDynix Symphony) as it relates to the work of the RRS team.
* To provide basic IT support for members using the library including the use of photocopiers and printers, reporting, or referring issues as appropriate.
* To retrieve and supply information required by NLS readers and staff, as well as process requests for items required by Members from the NLS.
* To shelve, file, and tidy library materials, as necessary.
* To maintain stock of stationery for Members of Faculty and ensuring that printers and photocopiers are refilled as appropriate.
* To assist with library inductions and, where appropriate, the development and delivery of training in collaboration with the RRS Deputy Librarian and/or RRS Librarian.
* To participate as appropriate in Library tours as agreed by the RRS Deputy Librarian, RRS Librarian and/or Head of the Library.
* To assist in the development of user guides for services or resources as required.
* To represent the Library at appropriate internal and external events or organisations as agreed with the RRS Deputy Librarian, RRS Librarian and/or Head of the Library.
Requirements
Education/Experience: A degree or HNC qualification in library and information studies or equivalent is required, and at least 1 years’ experience of working in a library; but they may have less experience provided they possess the necessary skills to perform the role. Knowledge of handling customer service enquiries, of library shelving and stock management principles, and the Scottish legal system is desirable.
Learning Period: After a probationary period of six months, the post holder will have a good understanding of the role and the services offered by RRS and will be able to demonstrate their competence through the completion of tasks and answering of enquiries in an effective and timely fashion. However, it is recognised that the learning process will be ongoing both in the role; and to develop new skills as required. Staff are encouraged to take up any training opportunities available and to identify opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge.
Skills: Good interpersonal skills; good team player, including the ability to demonstrate a collaborative approach to work with colleagues; good organisational skills; attention to detail; good communication skills; ability to prioritise and manage conflicting demands in relation to routine Library work and projects; able to demonstrate a ‘customer’ focused approach in their work; able to make decisions relevant to their role (and based on Library policies and procedures) that have the primary goal of assisting the Members and supporting their work on behalf of clients; some knowledge of modern library practice, especially in the area of managing library enquiries. Able to demonstrate a logical, persistent, and creative approach in finding solutions to questions where the answer is not immediately obvious.
Supervisory Responsibility: No direct supervisory responsibility for permanent staff but should be aware of the duties and responsibilities of any casual staff as the post holder may have some supervisory responsibility delegated to them when they are helping with certain tasks or projects.
Supervision Received: After initial 6-month probation period the RRS Assistant (Court Papers) should be reasonably autonomous in the role, and able to demonstrate their competence in completing tasks under their own initiative; working within the guidelines of the RRS Deputy Librarian, RRS Librarian, and the Head of the Library, and knowing when to ask for assistance.
Accountability: Mistakes can happen but should be acknowledged and reviewed through discussion with the line manager and the opportunity taken to learn from them. Training and other support can be provided to assist in the learning process. There are HR policies in place which will be followed if there is a continually repeated failure to deliver the service expected through negligence or inattention to duty, especially if it could prejudice Members’ work. All Faculty staff should be aware of and maintain the confidentiality requirements of their posts.
Systems/Software Used: The post holder should have a good level of computer literacy and is required to work with the following IT resources: Library Management System (SirsiDynix Symphony) and discovery layer (Enterprise), Microsoft 365, Internet, Faculty Intranet – SharePoint. Familiarity with some or all of these is desirable and experience of a different library management system would be acceptable. Knowledge of Microsoft 365 is essential. Will need to develop knowledge of the Court Papers Databases and subscription legal information databases.
Contacts: The post holder will be expected to build good working relationships with other staff in the Library team, as well as, where appropriate, with other Faculty and FSL staff, Members of Faculty, staff of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals service, staff in other libraries, professional organisations, professional library bodies, and suppliers.
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