Library

SPOT: - £18,500
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration: 12 months from start date
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date: 05-Jan-2021, 7:59:00 AM

This Internship for a graduate, from any discipline, will service as preparation to undertake a library qualification or apply for future roles in the sector.

During the Internship the post holder will obtain experience of academic libraries through working in many areas of the library and will have the opportunity to learn about the full range of library activity, but will primarily be based in the Document Delivery / Inter-Library Loans Team.

The post-holder will also contribute to and potentially lead project work. Our current intern wrote that “This internship has provided an opportunity to learn and develop both technical and person-centred skills, as well as allowing me to explore new passions and interests in a variety of different departments and roles within the Library.”

The Intern will work alongside a team of Library Assistants and be involved in a wide range of activities to support the delivery of Library services to the University’s academic community. The role actively contributes to in direct and indirect service to Library customers and in the maintenance of the collections, with duties that could include acquisitions, cataloguing and the Document Delivery Service. The role holder will participate in the frontline customer service provision in the Library, including UX related work, regular slots on the Help and Information Desk answering queries and assisting customers.  Library collections and services are increasingly delivered electronically and the Intern will work with digital as well as physical media.

The intern role is for 12 months, from February 2021 attracting a salary of £18,500 per annum, plus 27 days holiday and excellent benefits.

For further information on the Intern position or to arrange an informal discussion please contact either:

Katharine Davidson-Brown  j.k.davidson-brown@durham.ac.uk

Judith Walton judith.walton@durham.ac.uk 

Job Purpose

This internship presents an ideal development opportunity for an individual wishing to pursue a career in the Library and Information sector.

The post-holder will undertake a range of activities, delivering services to customers and to gain experience including (indicative listing only):

• Contributing to Document Delivery Service work, by processing requests for journal articles and books from the British Library or from other libraries, and answering enquiries about the service;  In particular, contributing to the establishment of inter-library loan services via the University’s planned subscription to Rapid-ILL;
• Technical tasks including: searching of online databases and bibliographic checking; creation, editing, and maintenance of metadata and other computer records; classification using the Dewey system;
• Providing learning support by identifying appropriate sources of information in response to enquiries from individuals, and offering advice and instruction in their use; participation in the delivery of orientation and basic user training;
• Practical duties including: issuing and returning loans, re-shelving and shelf-tidying, weeding of stock, retrieving items from the open shelves, photocopying, scanning, packing and unpacking book boxes, processing of new stock, minor repairs, and binding preparation;
• Administrative activities including: opening and closing routines, production of campus cards, processing reservations and bookings, fines collection, processing of invoices, statements and claims, distributing circulation notices, creating lists, filing, and recording and collation of statistics;
• Providing direct customer service through participation in rotas for enquiry services; assisting customers by answering enquiries in person, electronically, and by telephone; helping with the use of equipment, such as multi-functional devices which offer printing, scanning and photocopying
• Promoting the Library service by assisting with web-based service delivery, production of posters and leaflets, maintenance of displays and writing social media contributions;
• Participation in short-term working groups and project work;
• Engagement with students through user experience related work
• Participation in staff development activities, including formal training sessions and self-directed learning, to develop skills and knowledge appropriate to the post;

Requirements

This is a full-time post, working 35 hours per week with a holiday entitlement of 27 days per annum.

The work pattern of the role may include some weekend, evening and bank holiday work as business demands.

How to apply  

We prefer to receive applications online.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

What you are required to submit

1. A CV
2. A covering letter outlining how you meet the person specification criteria

Please ensure that you submit all documentation listed above or your application cannot proceed to the next stage.

At Durham University, our aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails

Person Specification Criteria

Essential

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proven IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office.
• Educated to degree level (or equivalent).
• Evidence of personal development to maintain skills.
• Experience of working on the front line with service delivery, and the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality.
• Ability to solve problems as part of a team and resolve straightforward issues.
• Experience of using initiative within a team environment.
• Demonstrable interest in undertaking a library qualification and/or pursuing a career in the library sector

Desirable

• Relevant experience in a similar role / environment.
• Experience of working as part of a team in a customer focussed service to ensure the delivery of high quality services.
• Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.

DBS Requirement: Not Applicable.