THE NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND
MANAGING EMPLOYER: Lambeth Palace Library
JOB PROFILE
JOB TITLE:
Deputy Librarian
GRADE:
Band 3
LOCATION:
Lambeth Palace Library, London SE1 7JU
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
Librarian and Archivist
RESPONSIBLE FOR:
Line manages - 1 Assistant Librarian, 1 graduate trainee Library
Assistant, plus other staff for temporary projects (currently 1 cataloguer
of the pre-1850 Sion College collection).
KEY RELATIONSHIPS:
Works closely with the Librarian and Archivist and with the Deputy
Archivist in the management of the Library and with the Director if
Libraries, Archives and IT. Leads and manages the team responsible for
printed materials. Liaises with the academic and professional library
communities, with users of the reading room and enquiry service, with
the Archbishop’s administrative staff at Lambeth Palace, and with other
National Church Institutions.
BACKGROUND:
Lambeth Palace Library, founded in 1610, is the historic library and
record office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is the principal
repository for archives of the Archbishop and associated officials or
institutions. It is freely open for public use, serving as a research centre
specialising in ecclesiastical history but with far wider-ranging archive,
manuscript and printed collections. It is maintained by the Church
Commissioners.
The collections range in date from the 9th century to the present day.
There are some 200,000 printed books (30,000 earlier than 1700), 4,400
manuscripts (600 of which are medieval), and large quantities of archives
from the Middle Ages onwards. The Library continues to receive the
modern papers of the Archbishops of Canterbury. A significant accession
in 1996 comprised the early printed books from Sion College Library
(some 35,000 printed before 1850), which are currently the subject of a
major retrospective cataloguing project.
The Librarian and Archivist is Giles Mandelbrote. In addition the
permanent staff comprises three archivists, two librarians, two
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conservators, three library and archive assistants, and a secretary.
Temporary staff are recruited for special projects.
Further details may be found
www.lambethpalacelibrary.org
JOB SUMMARY:
on
the
Library’s
website:
This is a senior post contributing directly to the management and
strategic development of the Library, with responsibility for all aspects of
the day-to-day management of the Library’s printed collections and of its
reading room services. The Deputy Librarian will represent the Library
externally, deputizing as required for the Librarian and Archivist.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Library Management
 To manage and develop the Library’s printed book collections, working closely with the
Librarian and Archivist and the Deputy Archivist. The Deputy Librarian will play a key role in
collection development, the provision of services and the management and motivation of staff.
 Managing all aspects of work relating to the Library’s printed book collections, assigning
priorities and workloads.
 Recruiting, training and developing the printed books staff – line management of two Assistant
Librarians (one employed to catalogue the Sion College collection) and a Library Assistant.
 Leading the Library’s printed books team through regular staff meetings.
 Management of a delegated budget to acquire modern printed reference material.
 Project management of special projects, including preparation of funding applications to grantawarding bodies and of project reports. Management of cataloguing projects (such as Sion
College retrospective cataloguing), ensuring quality control and delivery to target and
timetable.
 The Deputy Librarian plays a key role in Library Health and Safety.
Outreach, Access, Reader Services & Electronic delivery
 To represent the Library in its dealings with the library profession and its academic and other
users, including developing and maintaining professional networks with external organisations
and individuals.
 Maintaining and developing services provided to the public, with overall responsibility for the
reading room and its public services. Responsibility for drawing up staff rotas, sharing in
reading room supervision on a rota basis.
 Providing guidance and information to readers covering printed materials of all periods,
responding to enquiries and developing web-based and other guides to the collections. Reader
education and visits.
 Providing loan and information services to the National Church Institutions.
 To play a major role in raising the Library’s profile by contributing to the development of a
programme of meetings, visits and exhibitions.
 Editing quarterly Library newsletter and contributing substantially to the Library’s Annual
Review.
 Contributing to the Library’s engagement with scholarship as the principal research library for
English church history and as an internationally important repository for early printed books.
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Collection Management and Development
 Managing the development, maintenance and cataloguing of the Library’s printed book
collections. Selection and accession of modern printed reference material, including journals.
Maintaining systems for book orders. Contributing, as necessary, to retrospective collection
development. Ensuring the appropriate appraisal, control and deployment of existing printed
book collections.
 Responsibility for cataloguing, using Millennium, and for the enhancement of the Library’s
existing catalogue data, sending updates to COPAC, ESTC etc.
 Maintaining current awareness of professional issues and of relevant historical and
bibliographical research. Responsibility for developing an informed understanding of the
Library’s historical collections and communicating that knowledge to colleagues.
 Assigning preservation priorities, working closely with the Library’s conservators to ensure
appropriate methods of treatment and to improve standards of preservation of the printed book
collections. Administration of the Library’s Back-a-Book scheme.
 Working with Palace and other colleagues as necessary, to ensure the security of the collections
(burglar and fire alarm systems, security procedures, stock checks, insurance, etc.) and the
maintenance and development of the Library’s resources, including storage and buildings.
The main duties and responsibilities of your post are outlined in your job description. This list is
not exhaustive and is intended to reflect your main tasks and areas of work. Changes may occur
over time and you will be expected to agree any reasonable changes to your description that are
commensurate with your banding and in line with the general nature of your post. You will be
consulted about any changes to your description before these are implemented.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Essential
Education:
 Good honours degree, preferably in history, and a qualification in librarianship.
Skills/Aptitudes:
 Excellent communicator, both oral and written
 Good leadership and people management skills and the ability to motivate staff
 Strong influencing and persuading skills
 Good overall knowledge of IT systems including familiarity with library IT packages and systems
 Ability to work with foreign languages, including Latin.
Personal Attributes:
 Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
 Ability to communicate enthusiasm for historical research and collections.
 Ability to motivate and encourage staff.
 Ability to deal politely and efficiently with members of the public
 Ability to prioritise duties and to respond flexibly to the day to day needs of the Library.
Knowledge/Experience:
 Experience of staff management.
 Experience of library administration, including experience of early printed books collections.
 Knowledge of current legislation and professional standards for libraries.
 Experience of working with automated library systems.
 Experience of cataloguing, including rare books, and of relevant standards and systems (e.g.
MARC, L.C. Classification and L.C. Subject Headings).
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Familiarity with preservation and conservation issues.
A good knowledge of historical bibliography.
A good knowledge of British history, medieval and modern, especially English ecclesiastical
history.
Familiarity with the collections of Lambeth Palace Library, or a willingness to acquire it in a short
space of time.
Desirable
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Experience of historical research.
Familiarity with the Church of England and its institutions.
Active participant in the Library profession.
Familiarity with digitization and website management issues.
Familiarity with archive and manuscript collections.
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
Diversity
Equal treatment amongst people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse perspectives is one of the
central precepts to the Church of England’s mission and theology. The Church of England and its
national employing bodies value the richness which this equal treatment brings to the workplace. It
therefore has an equal opportunities policy in place. This policy not only requires the employer to
fulfil certain obligations but also places responsibilities on staff. Staff found to be contravening the
policy or acting outside its spirit will be subject to disciplinary action, which could lead to dismissal.
The National Church Institutions wish to implement the terms of the Equality Act and are committed
to improving opportunities for people with disabilities. If you feel that you could carry out this post
with some adjustments please let the Human Resources Department know. If you require particular
arrangements made for interview etc. (signing, access), please indicate with your application form.
Standards of Behaviour and Conduct
Staff are expected to act at all times with due consideration for others and in a manner befitting their
position as employees of the Church and as professionals, whatever their job.
Health and Safety Responsibilities
All NCI staff are required to ensure that they understand and accept the legal duties placed on them by
the Health and Safety at Work Act not to endanger themselves or others and by the Management of
Health and Safety at Work Regulations to co-operate with colleagues and management in the control of
health and safety at work. And therefore:
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to read and understand and abide by the NCI health and safety policy;
to make themselves familiar with accident and emergency procedures on their site;
to make themselves familiar with the findings of any departmental risk assessments which
might affect them;
to inform their management team immediately of any health or safety deficiencies or dangerous
situations or near misses;
to set a good personal example in respect of health and safety.
.
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Confidentiality
Staff must not pass on to unauthorised persons, any information obtained in the course of their duties
without the permission of their Head of Department.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Starting Salary:
Salary starts at the probationary point of £38,050 per annum. On
satisfactory completion of the probationary period the salary will rise to
the standard point for the band £42,190 per annum.
Pension Contributions:
Non-clergy staff will be admitted to the Church Administrators Pension
Fund (CAPF) unless they choose to opt out. Clergy already in the Church
of England Funded Pensions Scheme (CEFPS) will have the option of
either remaining in this scheme or joining the CAPF if they wish.
There is no contracting – out certificate under the Pension Schemes Act
1993 in force for this employment in relation to the CAPF. CEFPS is
currently contracted out but the employer has indicated that it intends to
surrender the contracting out certificate with effect from 1st January
2011. Both CAPF and CEFPS members will be contracted-in to the
State Second Pension from that date. The NCIs have an income
protection insurance arrangement. To be eligible for cover under this
policy an employee must be a member of the CAPF DC section. Cover
will be subject to any terms and conditions laid down by the insurance
company.
The retirement age for men and women is 65 years.
Hours of Duty:
Normal hours of work are 35 per week, Monday to Friday with an hour’s
unpaid break for lunch.
Annual Leave:
25 days paid leave per leave year. This is exclusive of public holidays
and additional holidays approved by your employer. The leave year runs
from 1st January to 31st December.
Season Ticket Loan:
Staff are eligible to apply for an interest-free travel season ticket loan for
their journey to and from work.
Contract:
The post is offered on an open-ended contract, subject to a six-month
probationary period.
Closing date for receipt of applications: 3rd December 2010
Please note, if you have not heard from us within 3 days of the interview date, you have been
unsuccessful in your application.
Interviews: 13th December 2010
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