Job title: Librarian (Business & IP Centre)

Salary: C3 £31,067 - £32,654

Hours: Full time (37 hours per week)

Contract: Permanent

Location: Across Leeds Libraries

Would you like to help develop Leeds Libraries’ business offer to ensure support is accessible to all communities and help individuals overcome barriers to success?

Can you relate to challenges faced by entrepreneurs and pre-starts, offering support and encouragement?

Do you have a passion for researching information to ensure clients have the best resources for their individual needs?

We are looking for a librarian to join the Business and Intellectual Property team at Leeds Libraries. As part of a small team delivering support to customers within the Business & IP Centre, based at Leeds Central Library, you will assist a diverse range of clients, including start-ups, entrepreneurs, creators, students, and inventors. Your role will involve helping customers access specialist business resources and an innovative programme of learning and networking opportunities, enabling them to develop the insight, skills, and confidence needed to start and grow successful businesses.

A key aspect of your role will be supporting the creation of an engaging programme of workshops, events, and one-to-one support, working closely with key partners. This includes delivering funded programmes at the Central Library and at community library sites when required. You will develop excellent book knowledge, research, and information skills, as well as expertise in this specialist field to support customers effectively. Additionally, you will manage and maintain specialist book collections and resources to ensure they meet the needs of your customers.

Your responsibilities will include handling daily enquiries to ensure clients receive timely and accurate information. You will develop and deliver key information-based workshops to a range of audiences, including college and university classes and customers accessing the service. Drawing upon your excellent communication and listening skills, you will run regular one-to-one information and guidance sessions, providing a supportive environment where attendees are able to build their confidence and move forward with their business ideas. 

Additionally, you will support the marketing of the services at external events and on our online platforms, actively seeking out new audiences and monitoring the usage of the service and information resources. You will also support upskilling frontline staff across the service on available services, enquiry handling, and database searching. Working closely with colleagues across the library service, you will share information and raise awareness of the wider services on offer.

About You

• You have an excellent understanding of, and passion for, the role of public libraries and community librarianship.    
• You have excellent communication skills: listening, written and verbal. You are able to communicate clearly and appropriately to a wide range of audiences. 
• You are a highly motivated team player, able to both support and lead other team members. 

• You have well developed organisational skills and show excellent attention to detail.
• You have experience of assessing information, learning, and reading needs and using a variety of resources to support.

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.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements

• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

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 Hopkinson, Senior Librarian (Business & IP Centre). Email: Tracy.Hopkinson@Leeds.Gov.UK

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, 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, candidates must consider their own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. For more information visit Skilled Worker visa on the government website. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose:

To deliver a responsive library service which increases citizen engagement with the service through:

• Supporting the city with its information, reading and learning needs
• 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
• 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

• Responsibility for the delivery of the acquisition service
• Line management of the team of Library & Digital Assistants
• Ensure Library & Digital Assistant support for SLS

OR

Service Delivery

• Line management of Library & Digital Assistant
• Delivering programmes of activity across community libraries and central library
• Management of staffing rotas in Leeds Central Library and enquiry line
• Operational management of Leeds Central Library 

OR

Service Development

• 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 for Grade:

• 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
• You will be working directly with library customers, supporting their information, reading, learning and community needs
• 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
• You will develop and maintain awareness of sector wide best practice
• You will facilitate digital engagement and assist library members with new technologies
• You will assist with audio-visual and digital support for library events and activities
• You will actively develop and manage stock and other resources ensuring that library resources are well maintained and attractively presented
• You will contribute to ensuring that performance standards and targets are achieved
• 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
• You will be contributing to the development and delivery of outreach projects and initiatives
• You will develop and deliver the highest standards of customer engagement, dealing with complex complaints and enquiries
• 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.
• You will manage, lead and motivate your team and community hub colleagues
• You will assist in the recruitment, selection and development of staff, delivering training as required
• You will provide a high standard of day to day management of a specific department, collection(s), venue and/or staff
• You will develop excellent book knowledge, research and information skills as well as expertise in a specialist field(s)
• You will be responsible for the supervision of assigned staff, volunteers and work placements
• You will apply HR policies and procedures consistently, including managing attendance, special leave, improving performance, disciplinary and grievance
• You will follow LCC financial procedures and regulations.
• You will be required to carry out risk assessments and implement safe systems of work. 
• 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.
• You will carry out the role of duty manager as assigned.
• 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.
• You will carry out duties in accordance with the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy and other policies which respect the rights and needs of customers and colleagues
• 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

The above list is neither exclusive nor exhaustive, and the service may require the job holder to undertake duties commensurate with the level of the role. The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters

Qualifications

• 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

• You have an excellent understanding of, and passion for, the role of public libraries and community librarianship  
• 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
• You can connect readily and naturally with people
• You are committed to customer service excellence, able to deal positively with feedback and difficult situations and to seek positive resolution
• You have excellent communication skills, listening, written and verbal. You are able to communicate clearly and appropriately to a wide range of audiences
• You have well developed organisational skills and show excellent attention to detail
• You are a highly motivated team player, able to both support and lead other team members

Knowledge Required

• You have a good knowledge and understanding of the current climate of public libraries
• You have an understanding of community based working
• You have a degree / postgraduate degree or are able to evidence relevant experience of public library work

Experience Required

• You have experience of working in the public library sector

• You have experience of working with a diverse range of stakeholders
• You have experience of facilitating work in a community setting and of community team building
• You have experience of supervising others either through employment, volunteering or project based work
• You have experience of assessing information, learning and reading needs and using a variety of  resources to support

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

• You are adaptable and flexible to changes in workloads, locations and hours
• You are fully committed to Leeds City Council values
• You will abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety Policies

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.  Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates. 

 Knowledge Required

• You have attained a qualification relating to educating adults
• You have a degree/postgraduate qualification in Library Studies or Information science

Experience Required

• You have experience of working with vulnerable people in community settings and people from diverse cultural background

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