The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

Reporting to the Library Services Manager, and deputising for them where appropriate, this role will see you playing a significant role in the development and management of library services, while still being a key part in their practical delivery. You will provide senior support to staff working on service points, resolving customer queries, helping users access our physical and digital collections, support the use of library and university systems, and provide user education on areas such as information literacy wherever possible. You will plan staffing schedules, lead on service delivery and suggest and implement service improvements.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Coordinate the provision of high-quality information advice services to library customers resolving a broad range of library enquiries both face to face and remotely (via email, chat, phone and text) through participation in service rotas across staffed service hours.

• Use the library management system and other library systems to assign work across the team, overcoming any technical issues and liaising with other library sites to ensure that staffing resources are deployed effectively and that all rotas are covered.

• Coordinate the organisation of day-to-day services, which may include stock retrieval, customer contact, quality assurance and UX data gathering provision. 

• Coordinate an area of work for your library site/team. This might include a physical service,  such as inter-library fulfilment, requests, overdues etc. or an area of our digital offer, such as the development and maintenance of Library Help FAQs. Research new ways of delivering these services and make recommendations.

• Manage a team of Library Shelvers, General Assistants, Information Assistants and Information Advisors. Monitor and review individual and team progress and performance, motivating and supporting staff to meet their objectives.

• Support and advise Virtual Advisory and Help Service staff dealing with complex enquiries via email, chat, phone, text and social media.

• Deliver Induction sessions, face to face and online, to students of all levels.

• Liaise with specialist teams to raise and resolve issues, identify where long-term resolutions may be needed to support specific enquiries and disseminate this to appropriate teams.

• Promote inclusive learning consistently across the library, working with LIAT colleagues and other library teams to share examples of best practice.

• Demonstrate a commitment to continuing personal development, including development of specialist skills and knowledge required due to changes in any particular service/subject area.

• You will be contracted to work 5 days in 7 on a shift basis that will include weekend and evening working. This will involve supporting University Open Days and other library events to promote the University, as required.

• As a member of our Professional staff, you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework. 

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

Details of the next steps will be provided to shortlisted candidates. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within three weeks of the closing date, subject to the volume of applications received. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact library-hr@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

• Generous pension scheme.

• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; 

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

  • support for those going through the menopause

  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment

  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.