Assistant Librarian

ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading astronomical society in London is seeking a part-time Assistant Librarian to support library services, manage collections, and assist with outreach activities. Candidates should have a degree in Librarianship or Information Management and experience in a library or archive setting. Strong communication skills and attention to detail are essential. This role is primarily on-site and offers flexible working hours.

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a library, archive or similar environment.
• Good understanding of preservation and conservation practices.
• Ability to prioritise and manage workload effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide front-of-house reader services and support.
• Help with enquiries about library services and collections.
• Administer circulation activities such as registering new readers.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

IT proficiency

Education

First degree or postgraduate qualification in Librarianship/Information Management

Job description

About the Society

The Royal Astronomical Society was founded in 1820 and is the professional body for Astronomers and Geophysicists in the UK. It has a membership (fellowship) of around 4,000 and a staff of 30. It encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science. It does this by publishing research, holding scientific meetings, and delivering a programme of public engagement and educational activities.

The RAS Library and Archive is based in the Society's premises in Burlington House, Piccadilly. It collects, preserves and makes accessible the library materials and documentary heritage of the RAS and its fellows. It enables research into astronomy and geophysics, promotes the subject's understanding for all, and maintains and propagates the corporate memory of the Society.

Role summary

The post is a part-time role in a small team, working with the Librarian & Archivist and the Assistant Archivist. It is an opportunity for someone pursuing a career in library or information work to assist with developing library services for RAS members, contribute to the management of a specialist astronomy and geophysics collection containing both contemporary and historical works, and support library outreach activities. The postholder will help the library and archive team with achieving goals set out in the RAS five year strategy, such as promoting the library to members, raising awareness of our collections and making them more discoverable. The focus of the post is on print collections, but the postholder will help facilitate access to other parts of the collection by, for example, being rostered to invigilate readers when they are consulting archival materials.

Reporting to

Librarian & Archivist

Main duties

• Provide front-of-house reader services and invigilation support as required and as rostered, helping as necessary to ensure the library provides a safe and welcoming environment.
• Help with enquiries about the RAS library services and collections, including requests for scanned material, via email, telephone and face-to-face.
• Administer circulation activities such as registering new readers, loaning books to Fellows and Friends of the RAS, and issuing overdue notices.
• Retrieve and reshelve books, journals and special collections consulted in the library.
• Check-in and process journals, and arrange and organise journals in the main library and reserve collections.
• Assist with the selection, acquisition, cataloguing, classification and processing of new books. Assist with collection management activities such as stock editing, and boxing up and moving stock to different storage locations, including offsite.
• Help to raise awareness and increase user engagement by promoting library services and collections via membership communications and social media.
• Participate as required in library outreach activities, assisting with displays and library tours.
• Undertake appropriate specific projects under the direction of the Librarian & Archivist. Future projects are likely to include helping to develop the provision of e-resources for members, and improve online collections information relating to early printed books.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• A first degree or postgraduate qualification in Librarianship/Information Management, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Experience of working in a library, archive or similar environment.
• A good understanding of preservation and conservation, particularly how to handle fragile special collections materials, and provide guidance to users in safe handling of materials in the reading room.
• Confidence in using IT, including online library and collections management systems, spreadsheets and web browsers.
• Ability to prioritise and manage workload effectively.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, necessary for working in a small team and providing good customer service.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently as required.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.

Desirable:

• Experience of book and journal collection management, from acquisitions to stock editing.
• Experience of cataloguing and classifying books.
• Confidence in using library management systems to run reports.
• Knowledge of or interest in astronomy and geophysics.
• An interest in special collections librarianship.

Working conditions

This post is primarily based onsite and is not suitable for regular remote working. We are open to flexible start and finish times, within the opening hours of the building. This post involves manual handling (lifting, carrying, using a trolley); use of ladders; computer work; some working in confined spaces and some lone working.

Application process

Please refer to the job vacancy: Assistant Librarian for The Royal Astronomical Society. Interested candidates should submit a CV, covering letter and the names of two referees to the HR email address.

The Royal Astronomical Society is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

The RAS has a legal responsibility to ensure that all its employees have the legal right to live and work in the UK. Therefore, you need to be eligible to work in the UK.

This job description is intended to convey essential job functions and requirements. It is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. The RAS reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organisational needs.

Closing date for applications

11.59pm on Tuesday 23 September.