New in! A learned society requires a Head of Library and Information Services to manage the Society’s day-to-day service provision and develop it in line with the Society’s key strategic objectives and business plans. You will lead a professional team of staff and be responsible for driving change, through the implementation of the recommendations of a recent Library Review. The successful candidate will need to be able to demonstrate a proven, successful track record in library management and service provision.
Main responsibilities include:
- Strategic development of the Society’s Library and Information Services provision.
- Oversee development and implementation of strategy, policy, and planning to deliver high quality, effective and efficient library services.
- Embed and encourage a culture of continuous improvement and effective change management to develop services that are responsive to future needs.
- Liaise with other librarians and contacts within the library services sector to keep abreast of industry developments, innovation, and best practice.
- Manage the activities of the Library and Information Services staff, ensure the team has clear objectives, and review performance in line with Society policies.
- Ensure that the skills, competencies, and knowledge of the staff are utilised and developed.
- Develop, maintain and analyse appropriate performance indicators, statistics, and benchmarks to inform acquisitions policies and services, and implement improvements where required.
- Oversee business management practices and update processes to ensure efficiency.
- Ensure practices in all library spaces are in accordance with Safety, Health, and Environment requirements.
- Contribute to the wider management of the Society and actively seek to integrate the Library with other activities.
- Contribute to the annual budgeting process and manage library income and expenditure.
- Proactively ensure best value-for-money spend of library budget, maximising impact, effectiveness, and usage of available funds.
- Maximise income from external sources and ensure library charges cover costs.
- Take responsibility for the acquisition of primarily digital journals, books, and databases in line with priorities.
- Continue and improve measures to maximise the visibility and usage of Society collections online, and onsite where effective.
- Continually review free and exchange material to ensure relevance and value to service users.
- Actively manage disposals of appropriate materials via sales, auction, and specialist resellers to generate revenues for the Society.
- Work with the Archivist to ensure that special collections, historical and modern records are adequately maintained in line with stated Society objectives.
- Ensure all materials in collections are used in accordance with relevant copyright and intellectual property requirements.
- Continually review the Library Management System (Heritage) and recommend upgrades or replacement as appropriate.
- Take a hands-on approach to day-to-day activities; supporting the team in routine tasks and covering absences.
To be considered for this role you will need the following skills and experience:
- Experience in an academic, corporate or learned society library or information services environment.
- Understanding of key issues and strategic trends in library and information services.
- Undergraduate or post-graduate level qualification in librarianship or information science.
- Experience in planning and implementation of large projects.
- A track record of successfully implementing and leading change.
- Inclusive and highly collaborative management of staff, and a commitment to motivating and developing skilled professional staff.
- Demonstrable experience in collections development and management, managing budgets, procurement, and delivery of digital information sources.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- High level of IT literacy.
- Experience in delivery and cataloguing of print resources
- Ability to work with qualitative and quantitative data to inform the understanding and improvement of Library services
- Chartered membership of CILIP or equivalent