Library Advocacy and Advancement Officer, Berkshire

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Job description

This role could be suitable for a newly qualified library/Information professional as full training and support are offered.

Engagement and Promotion! The primary purpose of the role is that of Advocacy and Advancement of the Library Service to ensure compliance with relevant legislation "encouraging both adults and children to make full use of the library service". This role is also required to contribute to the purchasing and keeping of adequate stocks sufficient in number, range and quality to meet the general requirements and any special requirements both of adults and children.

Main responsibilities include:

Under the Direction of the Library and Resident Contact Management Team contribute to the development and implementation of a Communication and Engagement Plan.
Working closely with the Digital and Information Officers update webpages and use social media and other platforms, including appropriate new technologies and methods, to promote libraries and library services including online resources.
Purchase, maintain and develop high-quality stock collections within a set budget. Keep up to date and anticipate the release of new publications and trends in reading in order to select and promote collections that meet demand without delay. Maintain awareness of and stay abreast of developments in the Book World and develop professional relationships with contacts in the books, reading and publishing world.
Deliver a programme of training for all staff to ensure they are equipped and competent to meet the reading needs of the customer and advocacy needs of the service, understanding and advancing the contribution of library and information services to communities.
Promote and support structured and unstructured forms of interaction and engagement within libraries.
Promote and support a programme of activity based on the four national universal offers: Reading, Information & Digital, Culture & Creativity and Health & Wellbeing. Lead on one or more of these offers, providing colleagues with support, materials and training. Contribute to the development and implementation of a programme of digital activity to reflect the four national universal offers.
Contribute to suitable project working as necessary to deliver improved services.
Develop positive relationships with stakeholders, partners, authors, speakers, groups and potential customers to increase opportunities to promote the Service.
Undertake direct customer service delivery for a specified proportion of the working week, including weekends and evenings.
Act as senior officer on duty to ensure escalations are resolved and buildings are secured after an event or at the end of a shift.
Promote and support Libraries in their role as community hubs that operate as a gateway to physical and digital information and are used by a range of partners to bring people together, giving them access to a greater breadth and depth of services and support. Help residents navigate access to digital and physical information sources and books to enrich lives, reduce dependency and encourage good decision-making.
Under the direction of the Library and Resident Contact Management Team, promote and coordinate the Reading Development Schools Service in a way that ensures value for money for the Council.
Support the promotion of library stock by providing relevant promotional materials to colleagues to encourage maximum use of stock by residents.
Take advantage of library design which to facilitate multiple potential uses of the space for cultural activities, educational services, health and wellbeing events, community support and volunteering opportunities.
Promote and Support the Economic Recovery, Business Support, Training and Skills Development element of the Service.
Promote a fully blended digital and physical library offer to fulfil the Council's obligations to its residents and its statutory duties. Make every effort to ensure the digital offer is inclusive to all and fully blended with the physical offer.

To be considered for this role you will require the following skills and experience:

NVQ level 3 or equivalent knowledge and experience gained through work related public/school library experience.
Demonstrable commitment to personal professional development.
Qualified in library or information science or Chartered Librarian.
First degree or equivalent knowledge and experience gained through work related public/school library experience.
Awareness of the value of library and reading support services.
Good skills in use of ICT for delivery of modern working practices.
Demonstrable excellent customer service skills.
Good levels of oral and written communication skills.
Good levels of numeracy skills.
Ability to understand the value of library services.
Specialist knowledge of books, authors and reading in a public or school library context.
Available to work weekend and evening shifts.
Ability to be flexible in terms of working patterns and working locations.

The job is very physical in nature therefore the following is required: The ability to lift and carry boxes of craft materials and books, to assemble and dismantle shelving units, to move laden trolleys, display units and shelving on castors, to move tables and chairs and other similar items of furniture, to walk up and down stairs and to stand on your feet for extended periods of time. Access to own transport