Botanical Library Collections Assistant

THE FOUNDATION AND FRIENDS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS,KEW; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Flexible working

Employee Assistance Programme

Pension

Free entry to national museums and G

Job summary

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is seeking a Collections Assistant (Library) to support access to one of the world’s most comprehensive botanical literature collections. You’ll respond to enquiries from staff, students, volunteers, researchers and the public to help users access Library and Archives’ collections relevant to their research.

The role involves Reading Room bookings, invigilation, retrievals and shelving, plus a copying service, visits, tours and inductions.

Qualifications

• This permanent, full-time role suits someone with experience in a library, ideally in research or a specialised library.
• You will have excellent communication skills and customer service experience.
• You must work constructively and flexibly within a team, have excellent IT skills and show attention to detail.
• Time-management and organisational skills are essential.
• A demonstrable interest in rare book/special collections and/or Kew’s botanical literature is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Respond to enquiries from staff, students, volunteers and the public to help access Library and Archives’ collections.
• Support access and engagement, including Reading Room bookings, invigilation, retrievals and shelving.
• Provide a copying service and deliver visits, tours and inductions.
• Support collection management and care to preserve our collections for the future.
• Work on site due to the collections-based nature of the role.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service

IT skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Teamwork

Job description

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is seeking a Collections Assistant (Library) to support access to one of the world’s most comprehensive botanical literature collections. You’ll respond to enquiries from staff, students, volunteers, researchers and the public to help users access Library and Archives’ collections relevant to their research.

The role involves Reading Room bookings, invigilation, retrievals and shelving, plus a copying service, visits, tours and inductions.