Special Collections Officer

ABOUT US

Transforming lives through excellent education

London Met is an extraordinary institution. Equity and social inclusion have always been our driving principles, and it's what makes the University so unique. Our organisation is distinctive, both in its eclectic and diverse community of students and staff, and also for its historical role in serving some of London’s most deprived boroughs. Everything we do is underpinned by our philosophy that an individual should have the opportunity to transform their life through the power of education.

Equipping our students with the tools for their future is at the heart of our academic offering. We pride ourselves on providing our students with access to a wealth of opportunities and professions. Our graduates benefit personally, but also contribute their unique perspectives to society, culture, public service and the economy in all areas of London, the UK and around the world.

This is an exciting time to join Special Collections as we extend our support for student learning and academic teaching, following a recent move to our Holloway Road campus. Located in the Learning Centre, our Reading Room also welcomes external researchers.

Special Collections is part of our Library Services and includes archives, rare books, and historic objects that span over 350 years. The main collections, which comprise our University Archive, The Archive of the Irish in Britain, the Trades Union Congress Library collections and Frederick Parker Archive, range in format from personal letters to oral history and photographs.

ABOUT THE POST

0.8 FTE

We are seeking a highly motivated and customer-orientated candidate with an interest in pursuing a career in archives, libraries or the wider heritage sector to:

• Contribute to the delivery of a customer-oriented Special Collections information and enquiry service. Provide first line support for all customers using Special Collections, IT facilities, print and online finding aids, including the Special Collections catalogue. Use multiple digital systems to perform activities and tasks. Support stock management of activities of Library Services and Special Collections. Advise users on adherence to library and University regulations and assist in maintaining a please study environment for all Library and Special Collections users.
• Support the development and management of Special Collections by contributing to the implementation of established workflows and guidelines, ensuring adherence to legal compliance requirements and complete appropriate training and development for designated areas of responsibility. This will involve liaison and communication with other teams in Library Services and Special Collections.
• Promote collections to stakeholders, users and potential users, helping the team deliver presentations and inductions for university staff, students and for external visitors, planning small exhibitions (online as well as physical), and providing publicity via social media and creation of themed reading lists and online guides to support learning and teaching.

Due to the nature of the job, this role is ‘campus first’ in which staff are normally required to spend all or most of their time working on campus. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

Closing Date: 08 October 2025

Interviews due to be held on Monday 27 October 2025

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