Faculty Librarian N001079
Listing reference: nwu_002312
Listing status: Under Review
Apply by: 15 January 2024
Position summary
Industry: Education & Training
Job category: University and Academy
Location: Potchefstroom
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: Market Related
Introduction
NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS)
DIVISION: DVC RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
DEPARTMENT: NWU LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICE
POSITION NUMBER: N001079
POSITION: FACULTY LIBRARIAN (BRANCH LIBRARY)
PEROMNES GRADE: P9
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: PERMANENT APPOINTMENT
Job description
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
The purpose of this position is to provide a general and subject-specific information service to library users, including in-depth assistance to postgraduate students, researchers and academic staff; to provide instruction and assistance in identifying, evaluating, and interpreting appropriate information sources to become independent information users; to market library services and sources; to identify and recommend relevant information sources for acquisition in collaboration with academic staff, to support research, teaching and learning.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Advanced information service:
- The provision of a subject-specific information service and in-depth assistance to postgraduates, researchers and academic staff of assigned subjects by making use of the latest databases and subject related information sources.
- The provision of an alert service as needed.
- Monitoring of the latest developments in information technology.
- Dealing with general information requests, the discerning handling of electronic requests, diverse and day users and the use of printed and electronic sources for answering requests from all categories of users.
- Conduct duties at the Information Desk where possible
- Keeping daily statistics of information transactions on the statistical tool
- Liaison with Faculties regarding their information needs.
- Conducting information needs analysis for the faculty annually.
- Ad Hoc Tasks requested by the Director: Information and Learning Services or Manager: Information Services.
- Willingness to work evening shifts and Saturdays.
2. Training:
- Organise and conduct information literacy programmes and training workshops for the assigned faculty.
- Co-ordinate and provide training for compulsory modules with information literacy component (e.g ALDE)
- Continuous informal instruction and orientation to visitors, undergraduate and postgraduate students in the use of the library and information sources.
- Training class groups formally, according to identified needs, in the use of relevant databases to empower them to work independently.
- In collaboration with Faculty Librarians at other campuses develop and conduct generic training sessions for the entire faculty simultaneously.
- Collaborate with Research Librarians for research, open scholarships and scholarly communication support for the faculty.
- Schedule monthly sessions and keep statistics of the group and individual training.
- Formal training of individual users or groups in information skills on relevant information sources to empower them to be skilled in information retrieval.
- Provide statistics on information literacy training to the Senior Librarian: Information Services on a monthly basis.
- Attend training initiatives for information literacy.
- Ensure information literacy outcomes are embedded in some modules in the assigned Faculty.
3. Online Content Development and Maintenance:
- Developing and maintaining the LibGuides of the specific Faculty (as decided), to ease communication with users and to make research information available creatively and interactively.
- Update the assigned LibGuide (s).
- Market the LibGuides in the Faculty.
4. Liaison, Marketing and Outreach:
- Liaison with academic staff and researchers of the specific Faculty with regard to their information and training needs, collection building, test databases and introduction of the library and its services.
- Promoting and creating awareness of library services and resources in the Faculty.
- Liaison with lecturers and researchers of different schools and focus groups concerning their information and training needs, collection development and trial databases.
- Participate in marketing initiatives on the assigned campus.
- Attendance at Faculty events and meetings including all Faculty Boards, all Faculty Teaching and Learning Meetings and others
- Participation in the ILS Knowledge Sharing Platform.
- Participate in Faculty Librarian meetings with Faculty Librarians at other campuses.
- Articulate and promote, within the library and across campus, the library's role in developing student literacy skills.
- Participate in library orientation, Open Days and EPEs.
5. Collection Management and Control:
- Implement proactive measures to identify gaps in the collection and make recommendations for acquisition.
- Involvement with the identification and selection of subject related databases.
- Recommendation of new information material
- Continuous needs assessment for the latest information material.
- Sending recommendations to Information Resources and continuous control of status of orders.
- Management of the available funds in the book budget of the appointed faculties and subject groups.
- Weeding and maintenance of the state and usability of sources and the withdrawal of unused material.
- Identifying latest trends in collection development and management.
- Conduct collection analysis against other universities.
6. Occupational Health and Safety:
- Participate in Library OHS Meetings.
- Be part of an OHS sub-committee (e.g. First Aid).
- Report any OHS matters to the Department OHS Chair.
- Participate in OHS activities
Minimum requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
· A Bachelor of Library & Information Science or Bachelor of Information Science (NQF level 7) or a bachelor’s degree (NQF level 7) in any field of study with an Advanced diploma qualification in Library or Information Science.
· Membership with the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA)
· A minimum of 3 years’ experience in general and advanced information service to academic users on different levels in a library.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
· A postgraduate qualification (NQF level 8) in Library and/or Information Science.
· Experience in working in an academic library.
KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:
· Knowledge of different printed and electronic information sources, including the search logic thereof.
· The ability to keep and update relevant information regarding users and information sources ready and effectively.
· Computer literate with sound knowledge of MS Office.
· Knowledge of the latest developments regarding information technology.
· Knowledge of and insight into the academic structure and research activities on the campus.
· The ability to liaise with assigned academic departments on all library matters.
· The ability to function as part of a team or independently.
· Demonstration of language proficiency to function optimally in the various multilingual environments of the NWU.
· Strong inclination towards client services.
· Insight into the research needs of postgraduates.
· Time management
· Good judgement and decision-making skills.
· The ability to interact with users on different levels and to assess users’ information literacy skills.
· Research and analytical skills.
· Comprehension of the broader context of the academic learning environment.
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:
· A love of knowledge and learning, computer / technologically oriented.
· Organizational skills, client-service oriented; ability to provide formal training; adaptability; team player.
· Friendly; good interpersonal relations; ability to function independently and as part of a team.
· Ethical; ability to work on different levels; good insight into the needs of postgraduate users.
REMUNERATION:
The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Mr Marapone Ramabina, Tel: 016 910 3174
ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Mr Zenyo Seboko, Tel: 018 299 4951
CLOSING DATE: 15 January 2024
PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES: As soon as possible
Kindly take note: applications must be submitted online through the official nwu vacancy website.
Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.
The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.
The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.
If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.
