Student Life is looking for an enthusiastic, flexible and highly motivated individual to join our Library Collections team. The team is responsible for providing teaching, learning and research support across the University and within the wider community through provision and discoverability of content.
As part of the Library Collections team, you will take responsibility for the efficient and effective running of the Research Reserve site and ensure library collections and research material is accessible and available to all stakeholders. You will supervise all aspects of print collections management across all library sites.
You will use library systems to oversee compliance, best practice and quality control and ensure discoverability and accessibility.
Working closely with colleagues in Library Collections and other teams within the University and liaising with a wide array of external stakeholders, you will have excellent organisational and communication skills and enjoy using initiative and creativity to problem solve and improve service delivery.
You will line manage volunteers and casual workers involved in collection management projects and activities. You will also line manage Library Collections Assistants and supervise Senior Library Collections Assistants as appropriate and in conjunction with the Subscriptions and Acquisitions Librarian.
You will be educated to A/AS level (or equivalent) and have proven commitment to continuing professional development. A degree in library or information studies is desirable for this post.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post.
This role will be located on campus and at our Research Reserve facility in Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.
Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis.
Closing date for applications: 14/08/2026
Informal enquiries can be made by contacting: Tracey Middleton, Library Collections Manager, [email protected], 01248388455.
With around 0.5 million printed books and journal volumes, more than 500,000 e-books and 100,000 e-journals, as well as hundreds of databases, Library Collections at Bangor University are a vital resource for learning, research and teaching. These resources are actively managed and used, both through on-site and digital services, and through collaborative mechanisms with researchers and libraries elsewhere.
The postholder will play an active part in delivering Student Life goals and objectives, as well as shaping service delivery and strategic priorities across Library Collections.
The Library Collections Officer is responsible for the efficient and effective running of the Research Reserve site, ensuring the delivery of a responsive and high-quality customer focussed service. They supervise workflows, operations and team members to ensure flexible, proactive support for end-users in their access, discovery and use of library collections and research material.
The post holder
- manages all aspects of print collections management across all library sites.
- oversees training, compliance, best practice and quality control for managing physical content, ensuring discoverability, promotion and accessibility via Library systems.
- is responsible to the Library Collections Manager. S/he works closely with external systems suppliers, Student Life teams and other teams within the University as required.
- directly line manages volunteers, casual workers, Library Collections Assistants and supervises Senior Library Collections Assistants as appropriate and in conjunction with the Subscriptions and Acquisitions Librarian.
- Manage the day-to-day operation of the Research Reserve unit, liaising with customers, planning and allocating work, monitoring job progress and performing regular quality checks, adjusting workflows and priorities as appropriate.
- Manage staff and volunteers in Research Reserve and those responsible for print collection management at all library sites. Allocate work, undertake performance reviews and evaluate training requirements.
- Be responsible for the co-ordination of all Research Reserve research material circulation, including managing donations, relegation of low-use materials, relocation/identification of special collections and disposal of un-wanted materials.
- Administer and maintain the library’s geographic locator-based collection management system, CAIASoft, working closely with the supplier to ensure optimum integration with core library business systems.
- Oversee collection management of physical material to ensure items are catalogued, stored and preserved in accordance with Library policies and procedures.
- Oversee promotion and exhibiting of print collections, liaising with academic colleagues, external stakeholders and Student Life team members.
- Provide 1:1 assistance and training to end-users utilising library systems such as CAIASoft and Alma.
- Use expertise to test and implement interventions (system improvements, training, guidance, etc.) to improve collection management workflows and streamline administrative processes.
- Act as key contact for the British Library’s EThOS service, disseminating information to staff, administering harvesting protocol and ensuring Bangor University theses are compliant and accessible.
- Act as key contact for the University Print Unit and external binding company.
- Contribute to policies and procedures as required.
- Undertake Library Collections projects as required, playing a key role in collection management related projects, analysing information and providing expert advice and recommendations.
- Be involved in the production of relevant content for library web pages.
- Provide management information, statistics and reports as appropriate.
- To undertake other duties as may be necessary or may be determined by the line manager consistent with the responsibilities of the grade.
- The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
- The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
- The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
- The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- 2 AS Levels or 1 A level or NVQ level 4 in a relevant subject area and/or relevant experience commensurate with the duties of this role.
Desirable
- Undergraduate degree in library or information studies or substantial appropriate experience in a relevant information environment.
- Have a proven commitment to continuing professional development.
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience in creating procedure and workflow documentation.
- Experience of following complex procedures.
- Experience of training and supervising staff.
- Experience of cataloguing and metadata management.
- Excellent understanding of geographic locator-based stock management systems.
Desirable
- Working knowledge of the lifecycle of physical material.
- Experience of working with spreadsheets and the advanced features of MS Excel.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Well-developed IT skills, including use of the library management system, digital resources, e-mail and Office 365 software.
- Excellent problem-solving skills.
- Ability to supervise and motivate team members to be proactive and innovative.
- Ability to work flexibly and on own initiative without supervision.
- Excellent communication and customer care skills.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to explain complex ideas easily and effectively to a range of audiences.
- Ability to be proactive and identify and recommend changes or improvement where appropriate.
- Ability to collaborate successfully with Digital Services and other University colleagues and external organisations in a working environment characterised by rapid change.
Other
Essential
- Enthusiasm and evidence of a proactive approach to continuous service improvement.
Desirable
- The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this role.
The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.
We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.
All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.
We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas. If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.
Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University's Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.
