Systems and Digital Resources Librarian
University of Bedfordshire
Get more replies from employers
Send a job-specific resume in minutes.
Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The University of Bedfordshire seeks a Systems and Digital Resources Librarian to lead the administration, development and oversight of digital library systems and resources. You will manage licensing, data dashboards and research workflows, supporting Read and Publish agreements and University reporting.
Based in Luton with travel to other campuses, you will collaborate with ICT, faculties, Registry and researchers, driving digital change and ensuring user-focused service delivery.
Qualifications
- Graduate or equivalent in library/information management.
- Professional accreditation such as MCLIP.
Responsibilities
- Act as system administrator for digital library systems.
- Lead on changes and project delivery for digital resources.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
The post will be part of the Librarians and Acquisitions team, managed by the University Librarian as part of the Directorate of Learning, Teaching and Libraries. We have libraries at campuses in Luton, Bedford and Aylesbury, supporting staff and students across three faculties and at partner institutions.
We are seeking a knowledgeable, motivated and forward-thinking professional to take a leading role in the delivery, development and oversight of the University's digital library systems and resources. In this position, you will act as system administrator for a suite of essential services - including the library management system, catalogue, discovery platform, journal databases, repository and reading list systems - ensuring that provision is robust, reliable and aligned to the needs of students, academics and researchers.
You will be one of the University's key contacts for licensing and compliance, championing adherence to copyright, GDPR, cybersecurity requirements and supplier terms. You will manage and support Read and Publish agreements, working collaboratively with Academic Liaison Librarians, research institutes, individual researchers and external providers. You will also monitor developments in artificial intelligence in the library sector, helping the University understand and act upon emerging opportunities and risks.
The role includes leading digital change projects, co-ordinating consultation with University stakeholders, producing management information dashboards, and supporting external reporting such as SCONUL. You will evaluate digital resource provision, interpret usage data, act as a liaison with internal teams (including ICT, Faculties, Registry and others), participate in committees and working groups, and contribute to reports.
The ideal candidate will be a graduate with a qualification in library or information management and, ideally, professional accreditation (e.g. MCLIP). You will bring strong knowledge of digital library systems, procurement, collection development, research publication processes and customer service theory, alongside experience in project leadership, supplier liaison and stakeholder engagement. Excellent communication, analytical skills, organisation and a flexible, student-centred approach are essential.
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact David Abdy via mail: David.Abdy@beds.ac.uk
Interviews will be held in the week commencing Monday 7th September.
The post will be based at Luton (with travel to other campuses as required).
The University is committed to equality of opportunity and values the diversity of all its workforce and student population.
At the University of Bedfordshire, inclusivity is a key University value, and we are committed to creating an environment in which we celebrate and value the diversity of our staff and student community and provide fair opportunity and outcomes for all.
We recognise that diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent and benefit from opportunities that the diversity of talent and thought creates.
We, therefore, particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in the University of Bedfordshire's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority backgrounds (particularly in roles in grades 7 and above), disabled people; LGBTQ+ people; and women in some senior grades.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
We offer a range of employee benefits including a generous pension and annual leave entitlement, free fitness classes and gym membership, flexible working arrangements, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies.
Department: Learning, Teaching and Libraries (Education and Student Experience)
Job Reports To: University Librarian
Location: Based at Luton (with travel to other campuses)
Post Number:
Pay Point: Grade 7 £39,906 to £47,389
Context The Librarian and Acquisitions team works directly with students, academic, professional support staff and student representatives to ensure that the library collection meets the evolving pedagogical and business needs of the University. They work to ensure that the University community have the necessary information literacy skills to make best use of both library collections and external resources. The Systems and Digital Resources Librarian is responsible for administrating, implementing and developing digital library systems and resources. This includes the production of corresponding digital library system management information reports, investigating and resolving technical support enquiries from staff and students, and supporting Research and Innovation workflows such as the University repository and REF submission. Service delivery will routinely need to adopt blended methods to reflect that University of Bedfordshire staff and students are based across our campuses along with UK and international partnerships.
Key Elements (please tick as appropriate)
- Act as a system administrator for nominated digital library systems, leading and monitoring robust and reliable provision. This includes but is not limited to:
- Library management system
- Library catalogue
- Discovery platform
- Journal databases
- Repository
- Reading lists
- Act as a key contact for licensing and compliance issues and ensure that resource access provided adheres to licensing terms and policies (such as cybersecurity and GDPR) and are routinely kept up to date.
- Act as a key contact for the University's Read and Publish agreements, liaising with providers, Academic Liaison Librarians, the University's Research Institutes, and individual staff and researchers.
- Monitor developments in artificial intelligence architecture in Library systems and resources, supporting the University to clearly identify opportunities and risks in the use of the technology.
- Alongside the University Librarian, lead on the Library's support of the University's REF submission.
- Compile and interpret data for external returns pertaining to the library (e.g. SCONUL).
- Project manage institutional digital library change projects. This includes working with Academic Liaison Librarians to facilitate the process of consulting with the University community in relation to changes.
- Support the collation of library statistics. Produce digital resource dashboards and management information reports that will serve to inform strategic decision making within the University.
- Evaluate digital resources provision in accordance with agreed frameworks and make recommendations as to how services can be enhanced. This will involve using usage data and student feedback to establish trends and use this to inform recommendations.
- Contribute to the authorship of progress reports pertaining to the work of the Librarian and Acquisitions Team.
- Liaise with internal stakeholders (students, academics and professional service staff) to understand the digital library resource requirements of the University community. Working collaboratively to advise and inform decision making related to institutional practices. This includes but is not limited to working with:
- ICT
- Faculties
- Registry
- People and Culture
- Student Experience
- Centre for Academic Partnerships
- Research Graduate School
- Students' Union
- Liaise with external stakeholders, such as digital library systems suppliers.
- Participate in relevant university working groups and committees.
- Proactively use initiative to raise the profile of the Librarian and Acquisitions team, both internally and externally. Developing and maintaining links with relevant professional bodies, and with colleagues in other HEIs, to build alliances, share intelligence and collaborate in the development and dissemination of innovation and best educational development practices and approaches.
- Ensure the Librarian and Acquisitions team's recording of delivery meets university data analytics requirements. For example, institutional approaches to learning analytics / enquiry handling / CPD is recorded on the University's People Development Hub.
- Participate in relevant training and professional development opportunities to stay current with best practices related to the role.
- Adopt a flexible and student-centred approach to provision delivery. This may involve occasionally working weekends or delivering support during the evening.
- Act as a fire warden.
- Other duties commensurate with the role as requested by the University Librarian of Director of Learning, Teaching and Libraries.
- As a minimum the candidate must be a graduate or equivalent
- Evidence of successfully completing a programme of study in library and/or information management
- Professional accreditation such as MCLIP
- Application Form
- Interview
- Knowledge of digital library systems in higher education
- Knowledge of library collection management and development
- Knowledge of library procurement processes
- Knowledge of research publication processes
- Knowledge of artificial intelligence and the opportunities and risks of its use in higher education
- Knowledge of copyright
- Knowledge of GDPR
- Knowledge of cybersecurity
- Knowledge of customer service theory and practice
- Knowledge of student experience in a widening participation context
- Current issues in HE (including APP and TEF)
- Knowledge of the Sierra Library Management System, EBSCO Discovery system and Talis Aspire reading list software
- Experience of working in a library or related service area
- Experience of managing digital library systems (or equivalent)
- Experience of managing and supporting Read and Publish agreements
- Experience of leading projects
- Experience of liaising with suppliers
- Experience of liaising with internal and external stakeholders
- Proven record of developing and using data dashboards
- Experience supporting research publication and REF submission
- Experience supporting the review of library systems and the migration of library data across systems
- Application Form
- Interview
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent ICT skills
- Excellent customer service skills
- Highly organised and able to prioritise tasks and meet tight deadlines
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
- Excellent liaison and partnership working skills
- Self-motivated and able to set priorities and manage workload effectively
- Can motivate others
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Able and willing to work evenings and weekends, if required
- Able and willing to work flexibly across university sites
The University of Bedfordshire is fully committed to the principles of equality in all its actions. Members of the University's community are expected to respect and value individuality, differences and diversity; and work with others in an inclusive and consultative manner. A commitment to equality of opportunity for all individuals irrespective of their age, belief, disability, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation is at the core of what we do and members of the community must actively promote a positive non-discriminatory work and learning environment for fellow staff and students. Employees should demonstrate an understanding of the University's commitments to equality and diversity as an integral part of the university's core values and be able to identify and challenge discrimination, harassment, prejudice and inappropriate behaviour.
All employees are required to ensure that all duties and responsibilities are discharged in accordance with the University's Health and Safety (H & S) at Work Policy. They should take reasonable care for their own H & S and that of others who may be affected by what they do or do not do. Staff should correctly use work items provided by the University, including personal protective equipment in accordance with training or instructions.
Employees must make proper use of any equipment and systems of work provided and take all reasonable steps to ensure that control measures are properly used. Employees must work with their Line Managers to ensure that an inventory is retained of all hazardous substances in the office that could be released into the environment. Employees are expected to identify operations that use significant amounts of energy, with a view to reducing consumption. This includes identifying operations that use resources, such as paper, and review the need for the current level of consumption, identifying savings where possible. Employees are expected to identify waste streams with a view to recycling and reuse, minimising office energy use in heating and lighting.
the content of this Job Description does not preclude other work required by the faculty department. Details of accountabilities will be discussed at annual reviews. Date Job Description issued to, discussed with and understood by Post Holder Name of Post Holder: Signature: (I confirm I have been briefed on the requirements of this Job Description and other related documents) Name of immediate Line manager: Signature: (I confirm I have briefed the Post Holder on the requirements of this Job Description and other related documents)
As a KEY POST at least one nominated deputy must be identified. The Job Holder must confirm that the Nominated Deputy(ies) receives a copy of, and is briefed on this Job Description.
Name of Nominated Deputy: Signature: Date:
(As the Nominated Deputy for this post, I confirm I have been briefed on the requirements of this Job)
Amended by: David Abdy
Dated: 29/01/2026
Version: 1
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
