Reader Services Assistant

The Library's Special Collections are among the richest holdings of rare books, manuscripts, archives, maps and visual collections in the world and are an outstanding resource, spread across three sites: The Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Centre, the University’s Main Library and The John Rylands Library. We deliver an extensive programme of research on the collections, in collaboration with academic colleagues at the University.

As a Reader Service Assistant, you will be part of a busy team providing a welcoming and informative service to customers using Special Collections, both in person and remotely. The role includes facilitating research by dealing with enquiries, locating and retrieving material across sites, invigilating our two reading rooms and promoting the use of Special Collections within the library and the wider community. You will also help to widen access to our collections by hosting remote consultations via video call.

This job includes covering Saturday and Thursday evening opening hours as part of a rota.

The University of Manchester Library is one of only five National Research Libraries and the third largest academic library in the UK. Our vast and rich collections (both print and digital) help us to deliver a world class library and information service for the University. We sit at the heart of the University experience for both learning and research and are fully committed to widening access to our expertise, collections and services to researchers, local schools, and others in the community.

Hours & Place of Work

Normal working hours are 35 hours per week.

This post is based primarily at The John Rylands Library and The Special Collections Reading Room at Main Library. However, all Library employees are required to work at any Library site, as necessary.

You will be responsible for:

• Responding to enquiries
• Following processes and procedures to make bookings
• Locating material using collections management systems and digital catalogues
• Issuing material and providing handling guidance to researchers
• Delivering remote Research Room appointments over video call using a visualiser

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

• Excellent digital literacy, especially Microsoft Office packages, including Outlook, Excel, and Word, and online collaboration tools such as MS Teams
• Customer service: enquiry management and interpreting customer needs
• Experience of working well within a team
• Attention to detail: consistent application of standards and implementation of policies and procedures
• Be educated to GCSE Level standard or equivalent including Maths and English

Desirable Criteria

• Handling Special Collections materials (e.g. rare books, maps, manuscripts, archives, art and visual collections)
• Appreciation of conservation and security requirements of rare and valuable material
• Having undertaken customer service training

We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer pension contribution
• Christmas closure across all departments outside of annual leave and bank holidays
• Purple Place employee discount platform

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Imogen Durant

Email Address: [email protected]

General enquiries and administrative support

[email protected]

Technical and job portal support

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must demonstrate the right to work in the UK.

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.

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