Bibliographic Services Coordinator, Other Library Services

Birmingham City Council; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Membership of West Midlands Pension

Enhanced Holiday Entitlement

My Rewards Scheme

Health and wellbeing support

Job summary

Birmingham City Council’s Library Services seeks a Bibliographic Services Co-ordinator based at The Library of Birmingham. You will lead bibliographic services, oversee stock procurement and classification standards, and drive efficiencies across the library management system, Spydus, while managing partner and supplier relationships.

You will supervise a small team, work with the Library Service Manager: Reader Services, and may perform Duty Manager duties to support frontline service.

Qualifications

• Experience in frontline library services or procurement and inventory management.
• Knowledge of cataloguing and classification standards.
• Strong organisational skills to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to develop partnerships and collaborative working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate bibliographic services across Birmingham Library Services.
• Manage 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 practices and implement service improvements and efficiencies.
• Supervise staff and volunteers, providing guidance and specialist advice.
• Build relationships with internal teams, suppliers, and external partners.

Skills

Procurement

Acquisitions

Inventory management

Financial systems

Cataloguing standards

Classification standards

Partnerships

Decision-making

Tools

Spydus

Job description

Bibliographic Services Co-ordinator

Permanent

Grade C - £36,581 - £45,529

Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review

Working 36.5 hours per week

Summary

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.

Key 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
• Build strong relationships with internal teams, suppliers, and external partners

About You

• 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.

What we offer in return…

• 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

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.

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Job Description and Person Specification