Band 5 Librarian

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1.    To undertake complex literature searches as requested by library members relating to both clinical and non-clinical information. Use professional expertise in devising clinical questions and identifying appropriate search terms to provide the best results possible. Use professional knowledge and skills to identify appropriate databases and other resources to search. Ensure that searches are completed within the timeframe specified. Supplement this service by providing a summarising and synthesising service to specific staff groups.

 2.    To contribute to our current awareness service, using KnowledgeShare to categorise members according to their professional interests and ensure that they receive regular updates.

 3.    Engage in outreach activities to promote the library service within the hospital and the broader community, fostering relationships and increasing library engagement. 

4.    Develop and deliver training sessions to meet the specific needs of different library members on a range of topics, ensuring that all users can effectively use library resources. This includes literature searching, critical appraisal, return to study and reflective practice as part of the scheduled group training programme5.    Provide expertise to support the Critically Appraised Topics (CATS) groups including developing the clinical question, searching the literature and appraising the results to develop the clinical bottom line.

6.    Keep up to date with national, regional and local developments in online resource development and new resources and ensure that courses are regularly updated to reflect these changes.

7.    Provide one-to-one training sessions to Trust staff on demand.

8.    Provide non-clinical advice to patients who are using the library.

9.    Promote and market library services to existing and new colleagues via departmental meetings and Trust-wide inductions.

10. Collect and record library statistics and supporting information used to prepare reports on library service development, contributing to the annual NHS library statistical return.

11. Use professional judgement to take part in the annual weeding of library stock to ensure the provision of up-to-date materials and assist in the annual stock check.

12.  To locate and check the bibliographic details of journal articles requested by colleagues and determine the most appropriate source, maintaining accurate records and systematically following up where items cannot be supplied.

13. Maintain and develop the Trust’s Policies Pages on the intranet, ensuring that policies are uploaded in a timely fashion, and comply with the Policy for Policies. Work closely with the Compliance and Assurance team in troubleshooting problems, and also with the Communications Team in arranging for new policies to be publicised. This is a complex procedure that requires accuracy and attention to detail.

14. Maintanence, operation and troubleshooting of a variety of library systems including KnowledgeShare. These systems are maintained across the entirety of the organisation and will be operated as a major job responsibility.

15. Provide support and advice to policy authors across the organisation, including updating the evidence base for policies and checking references.

16.  Proposes changes to policy within the Library service and Library teams using skills developed in advising other policy holders.

17. Work as part of a professional team providing support to all colleagues and students in the Trust and wider health care community and represent the library service as a first point of contact with users.

18. Promote a culture of continuous service improvement by ensuring that appropriate audit, statistics collection and other formal and informal research activities take place, including by contributing to local and national evaluations of the impact of health library services.

19. Ensure the service complies with the appropriate legal frameworks e.g.  copyright and data protection.

20. Plan and organise own workload and prioritise work based on an understanding of changing service demands and within agreed timescales and schedules.

21.  Plan and organise a variety of library training packages, including the formulation and delivery of this training. Adjust training schedules and programmes in response to changes in law, policy and feedback.

22. Be responsible to providing daily support and training to the library assistants as required.

23. Assist library users with the library computers, scanner and photocopier, liaising with the IT Help Desk to resolve any technical problems or user logon problems.

24. Staff the library enquiry desk, answering various user enquiries, issuing books and other materials using the library management system (LMS), resolving problems as they occur.

25. Supply photocopy/ scanned requests to libraries participating in the self-help photocopy schemes and within the restrictions established in copyright law and meeting library standards.

26. To issue, return and reserve books and other materials using the library management system, renewing and recalling books requested with accuracy and ensuring all transactions comply with data protection legislation.

27. Answer enquiries from library users using subject specific knowledge and skills and in a professional, friendly and efficient manner.

28. Manage projects relevant to the library service as directed by the library manager or deputy and contribute to team projects offering expertise and experience as necessary.

29. Manage the book collection, including selection, ordering, cataloguing and classification, promotion and analysis of usage statistics.

30. Ensure orders are raised and processed according to Standing Financial Instructions.

31. Handle money received by the library in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions.

32. Deputise for the library manager or deputy as required.