Job Description and Person Specification (HR5)
Post Number:
Job Description
School/Department:
Library
Post Title:
Library Assistant (Evenings & Weekends)
Please enter Level
under appropriate
Career Pathway
ERE
TAE
MSA
CAO
Clinical
2a
Academic Posts
ERE Category
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(mixed)
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Teaching
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Enterprise
Education Development
Head of the Health Services Library (5)
Posts Responsible for (and Level):
Job Purpose:
To provide a library service at the Health Services Library in the evenings and on Saturdays, enabling
users to make the best of Library resources at times when the library has one person on duty; undertake
some stock processing and close the Library.
Key Accountabilities/Primary Responsibilities (6-10 bullet points maximum)
% Time
1. Close the library in accordance with security procedures to ensure the library is
securely locked to prevent theft and damage
10%
2. Provide a loans service, applying procedures and knowledge of the Library
Management system to ensure all stock is managed effectively including loans,
returns, renewals, holds and recalls.
15%
3. Maintain the Library in good order, reshelve library stock and tidy shelves for
library users and staff to ensure stock can be found in the correct place.
15%
4. Carry out a range of tasks to support Library policies and procedures, e.g.
record gate counts, give out photocopy logins, give out material for collection,
and make computer bookings.
10%
5. Communicate clearly to library users to answer enquiries, offering advice about
services, stock and policy. Ability to judge when referral is necessary and who
best to refer to, ensuring a satisfactory outcome to each enquiry.
5%
6. Organise and prioritise own work activities within established guidelines with
minimal supervision, ensuring operational effectiveness and the achievement of
library objectives and outcomes.
1
5%
7. Operate the Library management system in order to process library stock
applying a good knowledge of procedures to ensure services are consistent.
30%
8. Attend to various types of equipment to facilitate their use by customers and
maintain service delivery.
5%
9. Contribute to service consistency, quality and development by communicating
with team colleagues and manager including reporting of damage to furniture
and fittings.
5%
10. Any other duties that fall within the scope of the post as allocated by the line
manager following consultation with the postholder.
Internal & External Relationships: (nature & purpose of relationships)

Professional and service relationships with University and NHS Trust staff and students.

Links with colleagues operating week-end loan services at the Hartley Library to provide an
integrated library service.

Head of the Health Services Library and other Health Services Library staff as required.
Special Requirements:

Lone working.

Cover for staff annual leave of approximately 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays (half days) and 15
evenings a year.

Fulfil the responsibilities for employees set out in the University Health and Safety Policy and
associated procedures.

Demonstrate commitment to continuing personal and professional development.

Demonstrate commitment to equality and diversity.

The right is reserved to redeploy staff throughout the University Library system.
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
How to be
assessed
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:

Skill level equivalent to NVQ2 or GCSE
Application

Experience of work in a Library
Experience of work involving contact with the
public or in a service role.

2
Application &
Interview
Application &
Interview
Planning and Organising:

Effective working with automated record keeping
Application &
Interview
Problem Solving and Initiative:

Application,
Interview & Test

Application &
Interview
Ability to establish customer needs and provide
basic information assistance

Application &
Interview
Ability to communicate with a wide range of
people

Application &
Interview
Work with computers, Excel and Word

Application &
Interview
Reliability and consistency

Application &
Interview
A flexible approach

Application &
Interview
Lone working

Application &
Interview
Need to use VDU and computer equipment
regularly

Application &
Interview
Able to move and lift small loads and be
physically active

Application &
Interview
Able to move and shelve books

Application &
Test
Ability to work without close supervision
Management and Teamwork:
Able to contribute to evening and weekend rotas
Communicating and Influencing:
Other Skills and Behaviours:
Special Requirements:
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Job Hazard Analysis Form - Appendix to Job and Person Specification
School/Department:
Library
Post Title:
Library Assistant (Evenings & Weekends)
Post Number:
Please tick one of the following statements:
This post is an office-based job with routine office hazards e.g. use of VDU
*
This post has some hazards other than routine office e.g. more than use of VDU
Please tick all those that apply, and put N/A if not applicable
Environmental Exposures
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg fridge/ furnace)
Potential for exposure to body fluids
##
Possible Contact with patients in a clinical/home setting
##
Noise (greater than 80 dba- 8 hrs twa)
##
Exposure to hazardous substances (eg solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards, animals). Specify …………………………………………..
##
Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation.
Equipment/Tools/Machines used
Food Handling
##
Driving university vehicles(e.g. car/van/LGV/PCV)
##
Use of latex gloves (note: prohibited unless a specific clinical necessity)
##
Vibrating tools ( eg strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
##
Physical Abilities
Load manual handling.
Repetitive Crouching/Kneeling/Stooping
Repetitive Pulling/Pushing
Repetitive Lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive Climbing i.e. steps, stools, ladders
Fine motor grips (eg pipetting)
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
Psychosocial Issues
Face to face contact with public
Lone working
Shift work/night work/on call duties
##
O*
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
F
C
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
*
*
*
*
*
*
N/A
N/A
*
*
*
*
*
*
O – Occasionally (up to 1/3 of time); F – Frequently (up to 2/3 of time); C – Constantly
(more than 2/3 of time) ## denotes to HR the need for a full PEHQ to be sent to all applicants for
this position.
4