Library Officer

Job Description

LocationWeybridge and Peterborough are the preferred locations as these two post would either be required to work on collection management at the Weybridge site or to be the NE contact at the Peterborough site.About the jobSummaryDefra is responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industries and sustaining a rural economy. Our broad remit means we play an important role in peoples day-to-day life, from the food we eat and the air we breathe to the water we drink.As the environment, food production and farming practices increasingly occupy centre stage in public and policy debates, with our Digital Data and Technology Services (DDTS) Function is currently undertaking a once in a generation Transformation, this is certainly an exciting time to join us.The Data and Information Access Team within DDTS are currently recruiting 2 Library Officers to join our Library Team based in Weybridge and Peterborough. We would require at least one of the roles to be located in Weybridge.Job descriptionThe Defra Library team is a small specialized team responsible for delivering a wide range of library services to staff across Defra, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), and Natural England (NE). The team also provides library services to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).The Library Officers will deliver the library services that DDTS provides to APHA, Natural England and Defra as well as other customers on a call-off basis, working closely with the Library Manager (HEO) and Head Librarian (SEO) to deliver high quality library services.The post holders are responsible for the day to day provision of a suite of information resources including: collections of electronic journals and online databases, a physical collection of books, journals and reports.The post holders will ensure library services meet customer needs and are performing at agreed service levels.The post holders will work with customers and other stakeholders to ensure customer enquiries and complaints are well managed and actioned in a timely manner, sometimes escalating complaints to more senior colleagues and managing their responses.The post holders will be adaptable and find solutions to complex problems for example resolving issues with access to resources.Please be aware that travel between the Weybridge and Peterborough sites may be required.Responsibilities• Be part of a small specialist team providing a library enquiry service to staff across the Defra Group.• Provide a document delivery service from the library collection and external resources (print and electronic), including reviewing procedures and writing guidance.• Provide access to online resources: trouble shooting access problems, provision of training and support to customers for Library resources - databases, electronic journals and reference management software (EndNote).• Provide support to the management and development of the Library Collection (print and electronic): acquisitions, collection development and full record cataloguing, classification & indexing.• Manage and develop current awareness services: production of Current Awareness Bulletins and newsletters, identifying relevant content and be pro-active about including the latest developments.• Provide support to the management of the staff publications collection.• Provide bibliometrics: (citation figures and H-indices) to customers on request.• Copyright advisor: advice to staff on publication under Crown Copyright and (re-) use of third party material.• Library Management System (OLIB) support: data cleansing and inputting.• Provide support for the library communications strategy: developing library pages on SharePoint online, write newsletter notices for customers.Experience:• Strong communications skills (verbal and written).• Good customer service skills.• IT-literate, including Outlook, Word, Excel and IT applications.• Have excellent organisation and time management skills.• Have excellent attention to detail.• be a self-starter demonstrating initiative and able to prioritise when juggling several tasks.• Be a resilient enthusiastic team player, we are a small team and you will work flexibly when needed to help us deliver.