Information Specialist - Pretoria

Job Location : Gauteng, Pretoria
Deadline : May 24, 2025

Duties and Responsibilities :

1. Manage the day-to-day activities of the Information Centre in an academic environment.
2. Manage the routine operations of the inter-Information Centre loans and request service.
3. Manage and control facility, computer usage and ensure effective administration of periodicals.
4. Liaise with departments within The IIE's Varsity College to ensure efficient support, e.g., assignment capacity.
5. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with academic staff and students, as well as external bodies such as suppliers.
6. Prepare reports related to the Information Centre and information services.
7. Develop and maintain a hybrid information collection.
8. Edit, classify, index information sources, and distribute new materials for cataloguing to the Information Centre Manager.
9. Supervise assistant staff and student assistants.
10. Assist with providing information services in a digital environment.
11. Assist with managing auxiliary services such as copying, reproduction, and digitization.
12. Manage and control good conduct in learning spaces.
13. Monitor the performance of all functions of Information Centre systems.
14. Liaise with the Capacity Management and Timetabling Centre to ensure that lectures have all necessary academic materials, including sourcing from publishers.
15. Ensure adherence to The IIE's Policies and Procedures.
16. Provide feedback to the Information Centre Manager and Head : Academic on related issues.

Provision of Information Services and User Information

1. Conduct class visits and live interactive training sessions for students and lecturers.
2. Facilitate and support learning by teaching information literacy skills to students and staff, both in classrooms and virtually.
3. Assist students with academic writing, referencing, and search skills.
4. Train students and lecturers on using the Information Centre database for research, e.g., Ebscohost, Juta Law, and HeinOnline.
5. Conduct presentations during Student Information sessions / Digital Literacy Classes and Lecturer Information briefings.
6. Guide students on academic writing and referencing styles.
7. Support academic staff with literature searches using research databases, printed resources, and the internet.
8. Stay updated with developments and innovations in the Information Centre sector and participate in professional groups and networks.

Research Output and Academic Support

1. Measure research impact and develop best practices for information use.
2. Support postgraduate research by educating and providing academic assistance.
3. Provide research support to academic staff.
4. Assist students in finding research material and support research-related queries.
5. Engage in research activities and produce research output.
6. Design posters and Information Centre packs to market resources.
7. Arrange monthly displays aligned with themes set by the Information Centre and Student Relations Managers.
8. Innovatively market and promote Information Centre resources.
9. Coordinate awareness campaigns related to the Information Centre.

General Administration

1. Maintain records for payment of invoices.
2. Monitor the performance of all functions of automated Information Centre systems.
3. Update new books on Sirsi Dynix for accurate record keeping.
4. Manage collection development and resources.
5. Recruit and train student assistants.
6. Conduct bi-annual stocktaking and compile reports.

Minimum Qualification Requirements :

• Bachelor's Degree in Library and Information Science or BBibl.

Minimum Experience Requirements :

• At least 3 years of experience in an academic library.
• Professional registration with LIASA.