World Collections Assistant (African Studies)

Cambridge University Libraries wishes to appoint a Senior Library Assistant to support the delivery of library services for students, researchers, and academics in the African Studies Library. The African Studies Library is a specialist collection of around 40,000 volumes, including an archive and special collections, embedded within the Centre of African Studies situated in the modern Alison Richards Building. The Senior Library Assistant joins a small team, consisting of the African Specialist.

A core part of the role is the provision of an effective, inclusive front-line service to library users, both online and in person, assisting them with a broad range of enquiries. As an essential part of a small team, the postholder will also have a variety of responsibilities, including the creation and maintenance of online reading lists, and ensuring that materials on those lists are available to students by purchasing, classifying, and cataloguing modern books. They will be able to participate with colleagues in the provision of information literacy training, especially for new students, such as giving tours and training on the library catalogue. The postholder will also manage the library's social media accounts and contribute to the library website and LibGuide.

Applicants will have excellent communication and IT skills and will have had experience of working as part of a team. They will have experience of providing exceptional customer services in any environment. Having a keen interest in and knowledge of African Studies and its diasporas will support their understanding of the role and that of the African Studies Library, in turn being able to offer efficient and accessible services to our library users.

They will be able to work unsupervised, show attention to detail, and be willing to contribute to the development of outstanding library services.

Reporting to the African Specialist, the postholder will join a supportive wider team of library staff from across the Department of World Collections at the University Library and will have the opportunity to participate in professional projects taking place across Cambridge University Libraries.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our institution.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit: http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/38856.

Informal enquiries about the post are very welcome, and we would encourage you to get in touch if you have any questions about the post or about the criteria for applicants. In applications, we advise you to state clearly how your skills or experience meet the criteria. Enquiries should be directed to the African Specialist, Jenni Skinner at js454@cam.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is 5th February 2023.

The interview date for the role is TBC.

Please quote reference WX34825 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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