Local Studies Assistant
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
About this job
To assist with the delivery of a high-quality service in the Local Studies Library and Archive Service reading room, ensuring that a professional, efficient and effective approach is used which provides customer care to the highest standard, protects the irreplaceable collections and promotes a positive image of the Council. To help encourage access to the local studies collections by the broadest range of users, guide users with their research, and to participate in the wider activities of the Heritage Service as appropriate.
The listing, description and arrangement of the local studies collections to improve public access and the discoverability of resources is a key part of the role.
Special requirements for this post
- To be responsible for delivery of the daily front-line service for Local Studies and Archives and to invigilate the library and reading room to ensure the security and care of the library and archive collections.
- To maintain the library’s printed stock including cataloguing using the AdLib Library database (or similar), book preparation for new accessions, retrieval and re-shelving stock, and tidying the library in accordance with service standards.
- To develop the library collections that underpin the diversity of local studies by reviewing stock, procuring new material, and ensuring journals and serials are maintained, without gaps.
- Where appropriate publish finding aids, indexes, guides, and information sheets to support user access.
- To promote the careful handling and preservation of items, many of which are fragile and/or irreplaceable, by ensuring the use of correct procedures by all users.
- To maintain the administrative systems for registering readers, recording enquiries, and ordering and handling archives and rare books.
- To provide clear and concise information and deal with enquiries from a diverse range of users on local and family history, which are received either by e-mail, telephone, letter or in person.
- To assist in the promotion of community engagement with the Local Studies and Archive collections, to improve understanding of the collections and provide guidance on widening research skills.
- General supervision of volunteers and work experience students with the Archive and Local Studies Service.
- To facilitate volunteering opportunities within the Local Studies Library, providing a varied and rewarding programme of project work, which will include volunteer training and development.
- To keep an accurate statistical record of the activities of Archives and Local Studies.
- To participate in the promotion of the work of Archives and Local Studies and the wider Heritage Services through the organisation of and/or assistance at a number of Valence House events and the necessary supervision of relevant staff, volunteers, and freelance facilitators to help with the delivery of events.
- To devise heritage events and activities that appeal to a range of ages and backgrounds.
- To record income generated through the Archive and Local Studies Library and undertake low level cash transactions relating to the sale of stock and services.
- To work evenings, weekends, and Bank Holidays as required. This will require regular Saturday working as part of a rota, working two Saturdays per month.
About you
You will have experience of a customer facing role and working in a library environment and be comfortable working both as part of a team and at times on your own. Familiarity with library indexing methods and use of databases is essential.
You will be the first point of call for people accessing the Archives and Local Studies Service, able to assist people with a wide variety of needs and correctly respond to a range of requests.
You will have a willingness to learn about the history of Barking and Dagenham, build an understanding of local resources, and contribute to the continued collection and acquisition of new resources for the local studies library.
About us
The Archive and Local Studies Centre is based at Valence House Museum and houses the archives for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. It is also home to a small local studies reference library which complements both the archive and museum collections and covers a wide range of topics related to the local area. Both the archive service and the museum service are accredited.
We are a public facing service open to all members of the public who wish to access the archive and library collections. Archives and Local Studies is part of the Council's Culture and Heritage Service which also includes Valence House Museum, Eastbury Manor House, the Women's Museum, and Pen to Print.