GKIM Job Family: Librarian

Using judgment, analytical and presentational skills to tailor information provision to customer specifications. LIB01 – Library Assistant [AA/AO] – Level may be A or W, depending on the library context. Accessibility issues etc complicating presentation.

Providing user training and education. Using professional skills and knowledge for the benefit of customers. LIB04 – Senior Librarian [SEO] – Level may be P or E.

Having an awareness of copyright, intellectual property and reuse of public sector information (PSI). LIB04 – Senior Librarian [SEO] – Level may be P or E.

Understanding the terms and conditions of library subscription licenses and developing services in-line. Providing guidance on compliance. LIB04 – Senior Librarian [SEO] – Level may be P or E.

Selecting and acquiring new resources and materials suitable for users’ needs and and in the right format – taking into account changes in the publishing sector, making use of open access online repositories and special collections. LIB05 – Librarian Leader [Grade7/Grade6] – Level may be P or E.

Understanding library management systems, and how they can meet the needs of the organisation. LIB02 – Assistant Librarian [EO] – Level may be A or W, depending on the library context. LIB03 – Librarian [HEO] – Level may be W or P depending on context; W if there is a specialist Systems Librarian. LIB04 – Senior Librarian [SEO] – Level may be W or P depending on availability of specialist Systems Librarians. LIB05 – Librarian Leader [Grade7/Grade6] – Level may be W depending on availability of specialist Systems Librarians.

Curating, preserving and managing physical archives, including special or antiquarian collections. LIB02 – Assistant Librarian [EO] – Level may be A or W, depending on the library context. LIB04 – Senior Librarian [SEO] – P level required if library is specialist or has large collection of conservation-grade items. LIB05 – Librarian Leader [Grade7/Grade6] – P level required if library is specialist or has large collection of conservation-grade items.

Understanding collection management, archiving policies, retention and disposal in a library context.

Organising information and other resources so that they can be searched for effectively. This includes cataloguing and classification as well as the development and use of thesauri, taxonomies and subject indexing. LIB05 – Librarian Leader [Grade7/Grade6] – Level may be A or W

Putting procedures and policies in place for the effective and consistent delivery of library services. Planning for emergencies in case of fire, flood or any other event damaging the physical collection. LIB02 – Assistant Librarian [EO] – Level may be A or W, depending on the library context. LIB03 – Librarian [HEO] – Level may be W, however it is likely many will be feeding in to wider directorate/organisational BC plan. LIB05 – Librarian Leader [Grade7/Grade6] – Level may be P or E. E may be required if library has high-level special collections which need planning beyond organisational business continuity.

Putting a service strategy and business plan in place, setting out strategic priorities for the library service. This should include the most important objectives and should contribute towards the organisation’s aims and objectives. LIB03 – Librarian [HEO] – Level is W, however HEO in leader role likely to be developing strategy with advice from higher management. LIB04 – Senior Librarian [SEO] – Level may be P or E. E may be required if leading service at SEO level.

Getting maximum benefit for the business from library collections, through KIM techniques and collaboration, encouraging knowledge sharing and communicating effectively with stakeholders. LIB03 – Librarian [HEO] – Level may be W or P depending on context. LIB04 – Senior Librarian [SEO] – Level may be P or E.

Ability to assess the utility of a wide range of information resources. Skills to search for, retrieve and present information using these resources. Understanding of legal restrictions around information provision. LIB03 – Librarian [HEO] – Level may be W or P but closer to P. LIB04 – Senior Librarian [SEO] – Level may be P or E.

Recognising the importance of content quality and integrity. Thinking critically about sources and quality of information provided, especially on the internet and social media. Sourcing, validating and providing consistently high-quality information. LIB03 – Librarian [HEO] – Level may be W or P. Singleton/small libraries led at HEO may need to be P.

Understanding of, and ability to assess, a wide range of information resources for basic enquiries. Developing skills to search for and retrieve information using these resources.

Effectively applying a range of tools for effective information retrieval and provision. For example, databases, hosting services, search engines, search languages, analytics and infographics software. LIB01 – Library Assistant [AA/AO] – Level may be A or W, depending on the library context. LIB04 – Senior Librarian [SEO] – Level may be P or E. E required if leading service at SEO level.

Using research processes, techniques and knowledge of resources to conduct desk research, literature searches or other research projects. LIB03 – Librarian [HEO] – Level may be W or P. Bigger team would expect SEO to be P. LIB04 – Senior Librarian [SEO] – Level may be P or E.