JOB DESCRIPTION. Collections Development Librarian (Based at RHS Garden Wisley)

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Department/Division: Reports to: Other reports: Staff reports: Job Purpose: Dimensions: Library Assistant Lindley Library, Wisley/ Science Library, Wisley Collections Development Librarian (Based at RHS Garden Wisley) None None To assist with a range of day-to-day library operational tasks, both public-facing and back office, in support of the operations and services of the Wisley libraries, and to provide support to the Collections Development Librarian as required. The RHS Lindley Library has main branches at London and Wisley, a smaller branch at Harlow Carr and reading rooms at other RHS Gardens. It has a wide audience of users from researchers and academics to gardeners, students and children; all needing information adapted to their level. Part of the charitable purpose of the RHS, it provides services to RHS staff, RHS members and the general public. Library staff respond to some 18,000 enquiries a year from all over the world on a wide variety of subjects connected to horticulture and gardening (c2,000 of which require in depth research). Over 50,000 visits are made to the libraries each year. The main emphasis of this role will be providing administrative support for the library but there will also be some involvement with customer services and enquiry handling.

2 Accountabilities: 1. Working with the Collections Development Librarian, assist with the management of print periodicals, looking to identify and fill gaps in the collection where possible and take responsibility for annual housekeeping/weeding of Wisley periodical stock and checking similar material held by or returned by other libraries. 2. Assist with the management of duplicate current or donated periodicals, offering them for sale if applicable or withdrawing and recycling as necessary. 3. Implement the Collections Librarian s decisions on the annual binding programme for periodicals at Wisley, Rosemoor and Hyde Hall, preparing material for binding and checking on return. 4. Regularly communicate information about current availability of print and electronic periodicals to interested parties in particular the Science team. 5. Assist with the ongoing process of undertaking condition assessments of items within the working collections, recording data as required and repairing books which have sustained minor damage. 6. Be responsible for the administration of the library s inter-library loan account, dealing with requests and copyright forms as advised. 7. Create weekly staff rotas for the library desks in the Garden and Laboratory libraries ensuring adequate cover at all times. 8. Assist with the daily operation of the Wisley libraries by providing front of house or desk cover on a rota basis as required, including rostered weekends 9. Ensure own safety, and the safety of others who may be affected by your actions. Employees must follow instructions and co-operate at all times with their line manager to enable the RHS to meet its legal responsibilities. Employees must stop work if the nature of the situation involves risk of serious injury to any person and must report any hazardous situation or defective equipment to their line manager without delay. 10. Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required of you in the post.

3 PERSON SPECIFICATION KNOWLEDGE 1. Good standard of education including English and Maths 2. An interest in libraries and/or gardening and horticulture EXPERIENCE 3. Previous experience of working in a customer-oriented environment, or library, bookshop or similar. 4. Experience of carrying out basic administrative tasks and managing records and data using software such as Microsoft Office 5. Demonstrable understanding of Dewey Decimal Classification or other library classification system 6. Previous experience of working with a library management system such as Sirsi Dynix 7. Experience of working with and handling important collection material such as rare or early books or archive material SKILLS JOB COMPETENCIES

4 8. Strong organisational and planning skills including the ability to manage time, prioritise tasks and work accurately and independently when required. 9. Good IT skills and the ability to use Microsoft Word, Access and Excel at intermediate level including the ability to produce reports, format letters and use spreadsheets 10. Good levels of information literacy and the ability to search for information in an efficient and structured manner 11. Ability to communicate accurately and effectively in verbal and written English to a broad audience of people both internally and externally. 12. Ability to travel as required, up to 7 days per year 13. Ability to stay away overnight as required, up to 5 nights per year 14. Use of PowerPoint at basic level for presentations 15. Understanding of library marketing tools for promotion, including design and display of library material, use of webpages and social media SKILLS - RHS COMPETENCES Planning (level 1) Able to plan own work effectively in the short term (day/week) Raises problems with plans Change (level 1) Understands and accepts the need for change Adapts to change within own role Managing (level 2) Takes responsibility for and evaluates own work Shows an interest in the work and needs of the team Decisions (level 2) Gathers information to understand the issue Makes well-reasoned decisions based on facts Teamwork (level 1) Works well with colleagues Recognises own contribution to a team Communication (level 1)

5 Written and verbal communication is clear and precise Communication is generally for giving and receiving information Commitment (level 1) Enthusiastic and positive approach to work Achieves agreed objectives Development (level 2) Shares own knowledge and information with others Actively seeks out ways to gain wider or increasing experience, skills or knowledge Customer Care (level 2) Identifies opportunities to improve customer care within own role Actively seeks feedback on own performance Shaded areas indicate two/three RHS Competences that are particularly important for this role. Numbers denote the level required on the RHS Competency Framework. 1=lower, 5=higher