JOB TITLE: Information Assistant - Library Services
SALARY & HOURS: Information Assistant / 1 FTE / Salary £25,290
The University of Buckingham has a unique atmosphere, unlike that of any other higher educational institution. Despite being the UK’s smallest university and the only independent university to hold a Royal Charter, Buckingham has staff from over 25 countries, making it a truly distinctive work environment. Our size enables us to foster a very personalised, supportive, inclusive and collaborative environment, with lots of opportunity for development.
DEPARTMENT/SCHOOL: Library Services
The University of Buckingham is looking to recruit an Information Assistant for our Buckingham campus libraries to support our students, academics and other staff. The successful applicant will ideally have experience of academic Libraries, digital services, be good at time management and confident working independently. Experience of working in a customer facing role is essential. The post also requires a working knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams.
The Information Assistant will contribute to a wide range of activities that help support the University’s academic standards and enhance the students’ learning experience and promote the Library service. You will be required to work flexibly on a wide variety of tasks, including basic administration and finance, book and eBook ordering and processing, assisting with public events and exhibitions and social media posts.
You will work to support and maintain our digital services and online resources. You will work on our Issue Desks using the Workflows software to issue and return books. You will support library users with our self-issue machines. You will answer enquiries in person, via TEAMS or email and telephone and provide advice and guidance on basic printing tasks and IT queries. You will help support ordering Kortext eBooks and embedding resources upon University VLE. You will have to answer database enquiries, locate academic articles and help order Inter-Library loan requests.
The role may involve physical work such as shelving books and moving stock around the library. You will be required to assist with student inductions and presentations. You may be required to work an evening shift, weekend, Bank holiday or Open Day.
You will report to the Heads of Library Service and liaise with the Senior Library Assistant and help them in providing resources and services to the staff and students.
The hours are 35 per week.
Skills & Experience
Knowledge and Experience
* The successful candidate will have excellent customer service skills and be able to assist students, academics and visitors to the University with confidence.
* You will have a good level of digital competence and confidence.
* You will participate in regular learning and development opportunities to retain and enhance your knowledge of the library’s databases and other relevant online resources.
Essential
* Education to minimum A level standard.
* Experience of working in a customer facing role and understanding the principles of good customer service.
* Good skills with Office 365, especially Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams and the ability to learn new systems.
* Accurate, methodical approach to work with good attention to detail.
Desirable
* Previous Library experience or work in a higher education institution in a similar role.
Communication
* A skilled communicator adept at listening and understanding the information needs of a range of library users.
* The ability to communicate complex information orally and in writing, considering what needs to be communicated and how best to convey the information in a range of scenarios and at all levels.
* Able to work flexibly within a small team.
Liaison
* The ability to liaise with other professional services departments and academic schools within the University and external organisations such as the Library’s book suppliers in order to build good working relationships.
Decision Making
* Excellent organisational skills and able to prioritise and schedule your own workload in the face of conflicting demands.
Initiative
* The ability to work on your own with minimal supervision.
* Able to identify and implement improvements to the day to day processes of the Library service.
Equal Opportunities
* The University of Buckingham recognises that equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity are integral to its academic and financial strengths.
* To provide and promote equality of opportunity in all areas of its work and activity.
* To ensure that all University members and prospective members are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential.
We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they think they can’t tick every box, but we are invested in our people and their development, so we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the majority of the skills and experience required and are keen to develop further!
What can we offer you?
* Beautiful working environments across our campuses in Buckingham and Crewe, with plenty of space.
* Employee Assistance Programme.
* Christmas closure.
* On-site gym and exercise classes.
* On-site catering facilities.
* University bookshop with staff discount (Buckingham).
* Free access to LinkedIn Learning courses.
* Free on-site parking.
* Excellent opportunities to network and continue learning across a variety of departments.
* Nursery on-site at our Crewe campus.
* Discount of courses for staff and their families.
Informal enquiries may be made to Librarian on Tel: +44 (0)1280 828207 or at email librarian@buckingham.ac.uk.
The closing date for applications is Monday 21st April 2025 and it is anticipated that interviews will be held on Thursday 24th April 2025.
Please note: if successful, any offer is subject to standard checks, including qualifications, eligibility to work in the UK on a permanent basis and DBS (if applicable).
For further information and details of how to apply, please visit our website here.
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