Senior Library Assistant

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust; Guildford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in Guildford is looking for a dedicated individual to manage the library service. This role involves supervising staff, helping train Library Assistants, and ensuring efficient library operations. The ideal candidate should possess excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and experience in library services, preferably within an NHS or academic setting. Join a supportive team dedicated to providing quality healthcare information and resources.

Benefits

Comprehensive health and wellbeing program

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Approachable individual with excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Previous experience in an NHS or academic library is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the library service.
• Supervise Library Assistants and manage daily tasks.
• Conduct literature searches and assist users with inquiries.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Multi-tasking ability

Attention to detail

Education

Experience in NHS or academic library

Familiarity with Library Management Systems

Tools

Koha LMS or similar library management systems

Job description

It is core to Knowledge for Healthcare that the NHS becomes a knowledge based service and that all NHS health care staff have access to and use appropriate evidence and knowledge to support their practice, research and learning and development.

The Knowledge & Library Service based at the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust provides services that contribute to:

• Evidence based decision making
• Professional development and lifelong learning of the whole workforce
• Quality Improvement
• Research, service development and innovation in clinical practice and health care management
• Direct patient care
• Health Literacy, Management

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the library service.
• Supervising, resolving all but the most complex problems/ issues and allocating work on a day-to-day basis to the Library Assistant, bank or temporary staff and volunteers.
• Support and help train Library Assistant, bank or temporary staff and volunteers.
• Reconcile library income and liabilities and manage cash boxes on a daily basis.
• Monthly cashing up and paying into the Cashiers, collect payment for library services and manage library 24-hour access keyfob deposits, issuing them to users and providing refunds when required.
• Manage overdue process, send overdue reminders, raise invoices for very overdue items, chase and trace users.
• Receive new stock, assign catalogue numbers and perform basic cataloguing on the LMS.
• Support Library Management Team in identifying stock gaps, pressures on stock, new editions of core texts and other items for acquisition.
• Provide speedy and efficient interlibrary loan service, identify appropriate sources, transmit loan requests, check in items received, track loan periods, and ensure safe and prompt return to lending institutions.
• Work within agreed protocols of the IncDocs / PrintDocs scheme, British Library and others, and comply with the Copyright Act and GDPR.
• Provide articles electronically to library users where available.
• Conduct basic literature searches on behalf of users, using electronic databases and print resources; refer complex searches to the Management Team.
• Advise, guide and support readers in person, by telephone and email, and locate and retrieve information in response to users’ enquiries.
• Develop information to answer queries using a full range of resources, meet deadlines set by library users.
• Support users of the KLS space, keep notice boards and screens up to date, including designing, printing and displaying posters.
• Coordinate daily communication within Library Team, manage room booking requests via Bookwise, maintain reader records on the LMS and manage registration forms.
• Maintain library stationery supply, source and order items regularly.
• Ensure adequate cover for periods of staff absence and contribute to the implementation and content of the Knowledge & Library Services Strategy.
• Attend regular local staff meetings, develop local library policies and procedures, implement new procedures relating to own work.
• Maintain and update relevant procedures within the library procedure manual.

Qualifications

• Approachable individual with excellent communication skills and a flexible outlook.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with strong multi-tasking and attention to detail.
• Previous experience in an NHS or academic library and familiarity with Library Management Systems is advantageous but not essential.
• Knowledge of Koha LMS or similar library management systems is desirable.
• Experience in basic cataloguing, interlibrary loan provision, user education and general library duties.
• Experience with NHS data protection regulations is beneficial.

Working for our organisation

Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.

We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has given us an overall rating of Outstanding.

Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and are investing more than £45m in our physical environment and new equipment in the upcoming years.

Although it isn't the Trust's normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

A video about the Royal Surrey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo