Archives & Special Collections Assistant (Graduate Trainee)

Job Purpose

To assist in providing Archives & Special Collections (ASC) client-focussed services. To provide entry-level experience for those seeking a career in archives, record-keeping or rare books and manuscripts librarianship.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Assisting users to identify and access the items they require.

2. Assisting in the answering of enquiries to a consistently high standard to satisfy the research needs of service users.

3. Assisting in the delivery of the Virtual Collections Classroom and Virtual Reading Room services.

4. Carrying out reprographics tasks, including uploading images to the content management system.

5. Contributing to the long-term preservation of the collections by handling items appropriately, supervising users’ handling of items, maintaining a safe and appropriate reading room environment, and repackaging items.

6. Promoting our collections and services through creating content for social media channels.

7. Supporting service delivery by retrieving items from storage and reshelving them after use.

8. First-stage listing (under supervision) of newly-arrived items to provide initial access.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Honours degree at 2:1 level or above (or international equivalent).

A2 The intention of applying for a post-graduate archive and records management course, or library and information studies course, and making a career in either the record- keeping or the rare book & manuscript librarianship professions.

Desirable:

B1 An understanding of archive and special collections work.

B2 An understanding of the impact of Data Protection and Copyright legislation on archives and special collections work.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Ability to pay attention to detail and work with accuracy.

C2 Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

C3 Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

C4 Time management.

C5 Ability to problem-solve under pressure.

C6 Numeracy.

C7 Computer literacy.

C8 Safe handling of items.

Desirable:

D1 Ability to use archive and/or special collections catalogues to find relevant items.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Interacting with the public in a customer service role.

E2 Working in an office environment.

E3 Using social media – e.g. Wordpress, Flickr, X, Instagram, TikTok.

Desirable:

F1 Working in an archive, library, museum or other record-keeping environment (including remote volunteering e.g. see National Archives remote volunteering opportunities page: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/get-involved/volunteering/volunteering-opportunities/remote-opportunities/).

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 3, £21,900 - £22,681 per annum.

There are 3 posts available. They are full time and fixed term for up to 12 months.

Please Note: If you are a current employee of the University of Glasgow, please be advised that the University would consider an internal secondment opportunity for this post. University of Glasgow applicants should seek clearance for release for internal secondment from their line manager before making a formal application.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.