Library Services Manager - Law - London
An opportunity for a Library Services Manager has become available within one of the leading professional associations for Barristers in London. This role is a supervisory/line management role with around 6-7 direct reports. The focus of the role is to manage the day to day operations of a library that is predominantly physical, to oversee and direct training for members, to coordinate internal/external communications and oversee a wide range of library management and administration functions. While face to face services are key to this role, the department takes a flexible approach and some hybrid working is also possible.
In this Library Services Manager role, the principal objectives and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Supervising the day to day functions of the library including the team, access to resources and facilities
- Managing a team that is a mix of full-time and casual staff including rotas, sickness/holiday leave and staff development
- Deputising for the Director of Library Services and being an ultimate point of contact for members and users of the library
- Playing a key role in the design and delivery of legal research training provided by the library to its members
- Developing strong relationships with other functions of the organisation and attending meetings that support the organisations overarching strategy
- Overseeing and supporting both internal and external communications of the library to promote events and generate engagement
- From time to time, taking a hands on role within library services such as helping with enquiries or simply being a point of support or help for users
To be suitable for this Library Services Manager requirement, the following skills and experience are required:
- A Library or Information related degree, masters degree or qualification
- Ideally, experience gained within a law library environment, but applicants from other library environments will be equally considered
- A willingness to work within, and a deep understanding of the challenges of working in a largely physical library environment
- The ability to line manage a mix of permanent and casual staff. This might include mentoring less experienced staff in previous roles
- Experience in the arena of training, particularly around information or library resources and an ability to present to a variety of audiences
- Highly developed IT skills, particularly around Library and Information Management Systems
- The ability to operate in a supervisory, operational and strategic capacity
- Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship building skills