Senior Library Assistant

Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Newcastle University is seeking a Supervisory Metadata Librarian to join the Content and Discovery team. You will manage metadata workflows, create new bibliographic records, and act as the first contact for bibliographic queries while supporting the Metadata Librarians with content discovery and collection management.

The role requires academic library experience and knowledge of a Library Management System’s Acquisitions and Cataloguing modules, plus proven staff supervision.

Qualifications

• Detailed knowledge of a Library Management System’s Acquisitions and Cataloguing modules, and of general acquisitions and cataloguing procedures.
• Experience supervising staff and supporting managers in developing staff.
• Experience in an academic library and use of integrated library systems; knowledge of e-repositories would be an advantage.
• Good organisational skills.
• Strong IT skills including MS Office, spreadsheets, databases, and web-based information resources and tools.
• Ability to work independently and in a team with good verbal and written communication.
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving ability.
• Experience in a customer-focused environment.

Responsibilities

• Creating and/or enhancing original bibliographic records where a download is not available.
• Overseeing high-quality metadata and description processes to maximise discoverability.
• Acting as first point of contact for queries from Library Assistants and supervising staff/workflows.
• Working with metadata suppliers to maintain streamlined workflows and achieve improvements.
• Maintaining consistency in classification and item description.
• Monitoring shared mailboxes and responding to emails promptly.
• Providing monthly and annual reports on new stock added to the Library.
• Helping set team priorities for Special Collections cataloguing strategy.
• Creating/enhancing catalog records to international standards for Special Collections.
• Participating in Content and Discovery and Special Collections meetings.
• Liaising with Special Collections and Store teams on cataloguing and re-shelving.

Skills

Library metadata

Staff supervision

Academic library experience

IT skills

MS Office

Communication skills

Education

GCSEs (minimum 5) or equivalent

Tools

Integrated Library Systems

Library Management System

Job description

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Salary: £30,180 with progression to £31,861 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 25 October 2026

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Newcastle University Library is a multiple-award winning service. We are the only University Library in the UK to have received the Charter Mark five times and now hold the Customer Services Excellence award which replaced it. This award illustrates our dedication to delivering a friendly, professional and efficient service to all our customers and putting them at the heart of everything we do. To find out more about us.

The Role

This is an excellent opportunity to work in a supervisory role within the Content and Discovery team. This role involves day-to-day management of metadata processes including the creation of new bibliographic records and acting as the first point of contact for bibliographic queries. You will also support the Metadata Librarians with their work on content discovery and collection management.

In order to be successful you will have ex perience of working in an academic library or an equivalent setting, including use of integrated library computer systems, you should have d etailed knowledge of a Library Management System’s Acquisitions and Cataloguing modules, and of general acquisitions and cataloguing procedures. Demonstrable experience of staff supervision, with excellent customer service skills.

The post is suitable for blended working and is fixed term until 17th May 2027.

Interviews are expected to be held in person.

Key Accountabilities

• Creating and/or enhancing original bibliographic records for Library resources when an existing bibliographic record isn't available for download.
• Overseeing high quality metadata and description processes to maximise discoverability.
• Acting as first point of contact for queries from Library Assistants working on bibliographic records, including supervising the staff and workflows relating to this.
• Working with metadata suppliers to maintain streamlined and efficient workflows, and to achieve business improvements.
• Maintaining consistency in classification and item description.
• Monitoring specified shared mailbox(es), responding to emails in a timely manner.
• Providing regular monthly and annual reports on new stock added to the Library.
• Helping set team priorities in pursuit of achieving the aims of Special Collections cataloguing strategy.
• Creating and enhancing early printed book and Special Collections catalogue records to recognised international standards, incorporating copy-specific information to ensure accessibility.
• Playing an active role in relevant meetings, including both Content and Discovery and Special Collections team meetings.
• Liaising with Special Collections and Store teams regarding the cataloguing and re-shelving of materials.
• Contributing to Special Collections blogs where appropriate.
• Supporting the Metadata Librarians’ work on content discovery and collection management.
• Any other duties, consistent with the post’s grade, as requested by senior colleagues.

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Detailed knowledge of a Library Management System’s Acquisitions and Cataloguing modules, and of general acquisitions and cataloguing procedures.
• The ability to supervise and motivate staff, and to support managers in developing staff.
• Experience of working in an academic library or an equivalent setting, including use of integrated library computer systems. A knowledge of e-repositories and research systems would also be an advantage.
• Good organisational skills.
• Good IT skills, including experience of using MS Office applications, spreadsheets, databases, and web-based information resources and tools.
• Ability to work independently, but also work effectively as a member of a team, including good verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, as well as problem solving ability.
• Experience of working in a customer-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above, plus work experience in a relevant role.

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.