Reader Services Supervisor
The Bodleian Libraries are recruiting for two part-time Evening & Weekend Supervisors to join the library team. The Bodleian Art, Archaeology & Ancient World Library is one of the University of Oxford’s principal research libraries, with collections focused on these named subject areas (inclusive of Classics, Egyptology & Ancient Near Eastern Studies, and Architecture). Along with the Taylor Institution and Nizami Ganjavi Libraries, the Art Library is part of Section 3 of the Bodleian Libraries’ Humanities Libraries, and the three libraries work together as a group to provide services. You may be asked to provide cover at one of the other two libraries within the section from time to time, or other Bodleian Humanities Libraries in exceptional circumstances.
As the Evening & Weekend Supervisor on shift, you will supervise and oversee the work of a team of three library assistants, and act as the senior member of staff onsite. You will train new staff members in the library’s procedures and workflows, and ensure that service standards are met. Each shift will involve a certain amount of on-desk time, assisting readers with enquiries and transactions, and off-desk time, participating in and overseeing tasks such as reshelving, scanning extracts of texts for the Scan & Deliver service, and background project work. There may also be opportunities for you to participate in the recruitment of new evening & weekend staff, subject to your availability and interest (and paid as overtime).
The posts are both permanent, part-time (12.25 hours per week, 0.34 FTE), working one of two patterns:
• Pattern 1: Mondays (17:00-21:15) & Saturdays (09:45-18:15)
• Pattern 2: Tuesdays (17:00-21:15) & Sundays (10:45-19:15)
Additionally, for the first year in post, each postholder will work 1 additional evening shift per fortnight, on alternating Fridays (17:00-21:15). The average total hours per week during this time will be 14.38 (0.39 FTE). This arrangement will be reviewed at the end of August 2025, in consultation with the postholders.
These posts are both permanent – the additional Friday shift is a fixed-term arrangement for 1 year in the first instance.
About You
You will have experience of Reader Services work in an academic library, including the use of an automated library management system, and a strong customer focus. You will be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of readers and staff, and you will possess excellent IT skills. Experience of staff supervision would be advantageous, though not essential – if you have previously trained other staff in a customer services environment, the Bodleian will support you in transitioning to a supervisory role.
As an employer, the University of Oxford genuinely cares about employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that they offer including:
- An excellent contributory pension scheme
- 38 days of annual leave (pro rata for part-time staff).
- A comprehensive range of childcare services
- Family leave schemes
- Cycle loan scheme
- Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
More information is available at https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits
Diversity
The University of Oxford’s staff and students come from all over the world, and they proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave.
How to apply
You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting evidence form using the attached template as part of your online application. Your supporting evidence form should list each of the essential and desirable selection criteria, as listed in the job description, and explain how you meet each one. You should also indicate whether you are applying for one or both of the two posts. Applications that do not include both a CV and supporting evidence form will not be considered.
The University of Oxford aims to provide a supportive working environment and are happy to discuss training and professional development opportunities. The Chair of this recruitment panel will be Grace Brown, who can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role (grace.bown@bodleian.ox.ac.uk). General queries about the recruitment and application process should be directed to the Recruitment team within our Human Resources department (recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk).
Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (BST) on Monday 29 July 2024 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place during week commencing Monday 19 August 2024.
