Library Assistant – Bibliographic & Systems Team

UK Defence Academy, Shrivenham, SN6 8LA

Permanent, Full Time, (37 hours per week)

Salary of £24,400.13 per annum plus benefits

We are seeking a dedicated and customer-oriented individual to join our Bibliographic & Systems Team as a Library Assistant at the Joint Services Command & Staff College based in Shrivenham. The ideal candidate will be committed to facilitating access to information, possess strong collaborative skills, and demonstrate a supportive approach to assisting students and staff in their academic pursuits.

About the Role

As a Library Assistant within the Bibliographic & Systems Team at the Joint Services Command & Staff College, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth running of the library and information service for the JSCSC community. Working closely with colleagues across the library, you will support students, staff and external members, ensuring their information needs are met effectively and efficiently.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide Enquiry Desk support to students and staff, offering guidance on using the library catalogue, electronic resources, and library equipment.
• Assist with routine library tasks, such as shelving, weeding, and maintaining an organised and accessible collection.
• Support the provision of an efficient and effective library and information service, responding to library users needs professionally and courteously.
• Enable staff, students, and external library members to develop self-sufficiency in their information-seeking and research activities.
• Manage the circulation of reading materials using the Library Management System, ensuring accurate and timely record-keeping.
• Participate in staff development and training activities to enhance your professional skills and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
• Engage in projects and cross-team working groups, collaborating with colleagues to achieve shared objectives.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with cataloguing and classifying library materials to ensure collections are accessible to all users.
• Support circulation procedures, including onboarding and offboarding readers, to facilitate a consistent experience for library members.
• Participate in collecting and analysing usage data to inform decisions regarding library services.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties as required by your Line Manager, within your competencies and the general scope of the post and grade.

What We’re Looking For

• A commitment to providing high-quality customer service in a busy and diverse environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain library resources, databases and systems clearly.
• Good IT literacy, and a willingness to learn new systems and processes.
• Educated to a minimum of ‘A’ level standard (or equivalent); degree level desirable.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Good organisational skills, with the flexibility to respond to changing priorities.
• A positive, proactive approach to staff development and training.
• Previous experience in library services or participation in volunteer activities within libraries desirable.

What We Offer: 

The Defence Academy sits within a beautiful and secure site which hosts 2 lakes and is surrounded by acres of scenic woodland. The Academy trains the future commanders and staff officers of all three UK Armed Services and those from many countries around the world. Other benefits of working on this site include:

• Free, secure onsite parking.
• Opportunity to join many sports and activity clubs (heavily subsidised subscription costs).
• Fully equipped riding stables, with the opportunity for lessons.

• Other sporting facilities include tennis courts, Astro-turf football pitches and much more.
• Salary: Competitive salaries with annual reviews
• Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Holidays: 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
• Training and development: We offer a wide range of learning opportunities with over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
• Wellbeing: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, BUPA Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, Simplyhealth cash plans to claim back money towards healthcare costs, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres
• Discounts: Save across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• ShareSave scheme: Helps you save regularly with the choice to buy Serco shares at a discount at the end of your savings period
• Employee networks: Dedicated networks where colleagues can come together to find support, share challenges, discuss ideas, network and be part of a community
• Charity: Support a charity or organisation with a paid volunteering day each year. You can also choose to donate to your favourite charity tax-free, through our Payroll Giving Scheme.

MOD Security Clearance

This role requires SC clearance. If successful in your application, we would support you with the SC process. As a guideline only, you would normally need to have been a UK resident for the last 5 consecutive years.

If you are ready to start your journey in library and information services and help shape the future of our library, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today to join our Bibliographic & Systems Team and make a lasting impact at JSCSC!

To discover more about our careers in Defence, meet our team, and to find out more about what we offer, please follow this Link. We’re also a signatory of the UK Governments Women in Defence Charter, to find out more please click here.

Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens, we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. 

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. As a proud Disability Confident Leader and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard, disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. 

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