Bibliographic Services Co-ordinator

Birmingham City Council; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday entitlement 30 days

West Midlands Pension Fund

My Rewards Scheme

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Birmingham City Council is seeking a Bibliographic Services Co-ordinator for The Library of Birmingham. You will lead a small team, manage stock budgets, and oversee acquisitions and cataloguing standards to support efficient library operations.

The role involves liaising with internal teams and external partners, improving processes, and occasionally supporting frontline services as Duty Manager. DBS checks and right-to-work verification apply.

Qualifications

• Experience leading bibliographic services.
• Experience in procurement, acquisitions, and inventory management.
• Knowledge of cataloguing and classification standards.
• Strong organisational skills with ability to manage priorities.
• Ability to build effective partnerships with internal teams and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate bibliographic services across Birmingham Library Services.
• Manage library stock budgets, expenditure monitoring, and reporting.
• Oversee procurement and acquisition of library stock and electronic resources.
• Develop and maintain cataloguing and classification standards.
• Monitor and support library acquisition systems, databases, and interfaces.
• Review working practices and implement service improvements and efficiencies.
• Supervise and support staff and volunteers, providing guidance and specialist advice.
• Provide frontline support as needed, including Duty Manager duties.

Skills

Team leadership

Procurement

Inventory management

Financial systems

Cataloguing standards

Stakeholder liaison

Decision making

Customer service

Problem solving

Tools

Spydus LMS

Procurement systems

Cataloguing databases

Job description

The Birmingham Library Services team is expanding as an opportunity has arisen to recruit Bibliographic Services Co-ordinator. This role is key to the effective and efficient operations of the library management system, Spydus, the management of partner & supplier relationships and the procurement of books, magazines and other associated services. You will lead a team of 2 Senior Bibliographic Assistants working closely with the Library Service Manager: Reader Services. You will liaise with library colleague across the city's service and at all levels. The job role is based at The Library of Birmingham and will include some occasional duties directly supporting the frontline customer facing service including acting as a Duty Manager.,

• Lead and coordinate bibliographic services across Birmingham Library Services
• Manage library stock budgets, expenditure monitoring, and reporting
• Oversee procurement and acquisition of library stock and electronic resources
• Develop and maintain cataloguing and classification standards
• Monitor and support library acquisition systems, databases, and interfaces.
• Review working practices and implement service improvements and efficiencies
• Supervise and support staff and volunteers, providing guidance and specialist advice
• Build strong relationships with internal teams, suppliers, and external partners
  Experience working in frontline library services or significant experience of procurement, acquisitions, inventory management, and financial systems.
• Knowledge of cataloguing and classification standards
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
• Experience developing effective partnerships and collaborative working relationships
• Confidence in decision-making and taking ownership of outcomes
• A commitment to continuous professional development and high-quality service delivery
• Essential Requirements We are looking for someone with the ability:
• To Problem-Solve
• To Act Flexibly
• To Be Thorough
• To Be Confident with It Systems and Local Government Procurement.
• There is a clear vision which is ensuring that the Council is working for communities today and building for tomorrow, we focus our resources on five key priorities:
• A Prosperous Birmingham: through a focus on inclusive economic growth, tackling unemployment, attracting inward investment, and maximising the benefits of the Commonwealth Games.
• An Inclusive Birmingham: through a focus on tackling poverty and inequality, empowering citizens, promoting diversity and civic pride, and supporting and enabling all children and young people to thrive.
• A Safe Birmingham: through a focus on making the city safer, safeguarding vulnerable citizens, increasing affordable housing, and tackling homelessness.
• A Healthy Birmingham: through a focus on tackling health inequalities, encouraging physical activity and healthy living, supporting mental health, and improving outcomes for adults with disabilities and older people.
• A Green Birmingham: through a focus on street cleanliness, improving air quality, continuing the route to net zero, and becoming a city of nature.
• We see the Council's role as providing strategic leadership - that's being able to visualise a new future for the city and equipping others to share our vision. We want to ensure the provision of services for all, so we can support those least able to support themselves by working with partners and putting citizens and neighbourhoods at the heart of our decision-making. We are always looking for people who put the customer at the centre of their approach, with a commitment to excellence to help us achieve our vision. We will support you to develop and thrive in your role, building a pathway for long-term success, with lots of development opportunities, such as apprenticeships.
• Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken. Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.
• Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• You can view our Corporate Safeguarding Policy | Birmingham City Council here.
• Membership of West Midlands Pension Fund - with generous employer contributions
• Enhanced Holiday Entitlement - 30 days, increasing with length of service
• My Rewards Scheme - access to over 800 brands providing discounts and savings
• Health and wellbeing support - independent and confidential employee assistance and counselling
• In return, we offer you excellent terms and conditions, generous annual leave, a great pension scheme, well-being support, annual travel passes and discounts at a number of city centre establishments.