Job title: Librarian Manager
Contract: 1 x Permanent 1 x Temp until April 2025
Hours: 37
Salary: £29,777 - £31,364 per annum
Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.
Are you passionate about the modern library service?
Can you motivate a team to deliver excellent customer service?
Are you a practical problem solver, with great organisational skills?
Could you be our next Librarian Manager?
As a Librarian Manager at Leeds Central Library, every day is different.
You and your team of Library & Digital Assistants play a pivotal role in promoting library services to people who live and work in Leeds.
Based at Leeds Central Library, you’ll work within one of the country’s most impressive and eclectic heritage library buildings. You are responsible for creating a friendly, welcoming and safe environment for the public, staff and the building.
Working together with department librarians, you’ll support a wide range of activity, from children’s theatre to author events, musical takeovers, business workshops, local history sessions and more.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As a Librarian (Service Delivery), you will bring to the role:
1. You have an excellent understanding of, and passion for, the role of public libraries and community librarianship.
2. You are committed to customer service excellence, able to deal positively with feedback and difficult situations and to seek positive resolution.
3. You have excellent communication skills, listening, written and verbal.
4. You are able to communicate clearly and appropriately to a wide range of audiences
5. You have well developed organisational skills and show excellent attention to detail
6. You are a highly motivated team player, able to both support and lead other team members
7. You have experience of supervising others either through employment, volunteering or project based work
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
8. a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
9. membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
10. flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
11. a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
12. a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Tracy Jardine, Principal Librarian. .
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job Description
Job purpose
To deliver a responsive library service which increases citizen engagement with the service through:
13. Supporting the city with its information, reading and learning needs
14. Connecting communities to the opportunities and resources available through the library service
the development and delivery of core programmes of activity outlined in the Annual Business Plan
15. Proactive approaches to keeping current customers engaged with the service and attracting new service users
This is a generic job description and you will also be expected to deliver on one of the key service areas detailed below:
Service Support
16. Responsibility for the delivery of the acquisition service
17. Line management of the team of Team Librarians
OR
Service Delivery
18. Line management of Team Librarians
19. Delivering programmes of activity across community libraries and central library
20. Management of staffing rotas in Leeds Central Library
21. Operational management of Leeds Central Library
OR
Service Development
22. To deliver the programmes of activity supporting one or more of the specialist functions either within Central Library Departments, across the community library network or in other venues across the city.
Responsibilities
23. You will be proactive in contributing to the development of the library service, engaging in project groups and delivering the priorities of the business plan
24. You will be working directly with library customers, supporting their information, reading, learning and community needs
25. You will creatively contribute to the design, development and delivery of exciting and innovative library events and activities, including learning sessions, for customers of all ages
26. You will develop and maintain awareness of sector wide best practice
27. You will facilitate digital engagement and assist library members with new technologies
28. You will assist with audio-visual and digital support for library events and activities
29. You will actively develop and manage stock and other resources ensuring that library resources are well maintained and attractively presented
30. You will contribute to ensuring that performance standards and targets are achieved
31. You will actively engage with library service users and potential users about services and collections in order to extend use of the service by residents. This will include delivering talks and presentations for the public
32. You will be contributing to the development and delivery of outreach projects and initiatives
33. You will develop and deliver the highest standards of customer engagement, dealing with complex complaints and enquiries
34. You will support the wider library staff team and deputise for managers and colleagues in a variety of forums and duties as required, commensurate with grade.
35. You will manage, lead and motivate your team and community hub colleagues
36. You will assist in the recruitment, selection and development of staff, delivering training as required
37. You will provide a high standard of day to day management of a specific department, collection(s), venue and/or staff
38. You will develop excellent book knowledge, research and information skills as well as expertise in a specialist field(s)
39. You will be responsible for the supervision of assigned staff, volunteers and work placements
40. You will apply HR policies and procedures consistently, including managing attendance, special leave, improving performance, disciplinary and grievance
41. You will follow LCC financial procedures and regulations.
42. You will be required to carry out risk assessments and implement safe systems of work.
43. You will be responsible for your personal health and safety and that of other people who use the library service. You will be expected to be vigilant for the safety of the building, opening and closing as required. Completing the duties of fire marshall, fire warden and emergency incident officer as assigned. There may be occasions when you are working on your own.
44. You will carry out the role of duty manager as assigned.
45. You will work within multiple teams and at other venues as required, be flexible in working hours within your contracted hours and work evenings and weekends as required, including events outside of library opening hours. The work is physical and involves standing, lifting and carrying.
46. This post involves direct work with the public in an open access setting, the post holder will need to display resilience to some demanding situations
47. Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
48. Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
49. Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
50. Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
51. Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
52. Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
53. Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
54. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Qualifications
55. You have a degree or are able to evidence relevant experience of public library work
Personal Specification
Method of assessment will be through one or more of the following application form, test, interview, and certificate.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.
Skills required
56. You have an excellent understanding of, and passion for, the role of public libraries and community librarianship
57. You have well developed digital skills, are confident using technology, maximising its benefits and are able to support and encourage customers to develop their skills
58. You can connect readily and naturally with people
59. You are committed to customer service excellence, able to deal positively with feedback and difficult situations and to seek positive resolution
60. You have excellent communication skills, listening, written and verbal. You are able to communicate clearly and appropriately to a wide range of audiences
61. You have well developed organisational skills and show excellent attention to detail
62. You are a highly motivated team player, able to both support and lead other team members
63. Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
Knowledge required
64. You have a good knowledge and understanding of the current climate of public libraries
65. You have an understanding of community based working
66. You have a degree / postgraduate degree or are able to evidence relevant experience of public library work
Experience required
67. You have experience of working in the public library sector
68. You have experience of working with a diverse range of stakeholders
69. You have experience of facilitating work in a community setting and of community team building
70. You have experience of supervising others either through employment, volunteering or project based work
71. You have experience of assessing information, learning and reading needs and using a variety of resources to support
Behavioural and other Characteristics required
72. Committed to continuous improvement.
73. Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
74. Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
75. Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development
76. Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct.
Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.
Knowledge required
77. You have attained a qualification relating to educating adults
78. You have a degree/postgraduate qualification in Library Studies or Information science
Experience required
79. You have experience of working with vulnerable people in community settings and people from diverse cultural background
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