Branch Librarian

The Role Westmeath County Council’s Library Service, currently headquartered in Mullingar Town Centre, manages and supports a network of Branch Libraries strategically located across the county. The library service is constantly innovating and diversifying in a dynamic and changing environment, taking advantage of technological advancement in particular to deliver a wide and varied range of front-line services to customers. Westmeath County Council is seeking dynamic, creative and motivated individuals to fill permanent and/or temporary part-time Branch Librarian posts and also to provide relief cover as required at the discretion of the Council. The role of Branch Librarian is to run the day to day business of the library, delivering quality customer service and assisting in fulfilling our library’s vision to be open, accessible, and a focal point for our communties. The successful candidate will be required to work on their own but to liase closely with colleagues in Library Headquarters and in other branches, and to work under supervision from Library Management.

Duties & Responsibilities The Branch Librarian shall perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned in relation to their employment and as may be appropriate to any particular function of any local authority for which the Chief Executive is responsible and carry out such instructions as may be given in relation to the performance of their duties. The Branch Librarian shall, if required, act for an employee of a higher level and may be required to work outside their normal job description from time to time. The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require: • Frontline line services to customers, branch library work and service development; • Delivering excellent customer service at all times; • Deal with queries from the public on the collections and various services of Westmeath County Libraries; • Community engagement and library outreach and promotion; • Assist library users to retrieve information and access library and other serivces; • Use of Library Management Systems, Digital Services and self-service technologies to deliver effective and efficient library services • Assist in the organising, running and promotion of local library events (including use of social media) e.g. book clubs, hobby clubs, parent and toddler groups, storytelling; • Supporting the delivery of national programmes and services for all members of the community in Reading and Literacy; Learning and Information and Community and Culture; • Delivering user education in all areas of information provision including ICT, and eResources; • Supporting and promoting My Open Library and self-service technologies; • Organising, shelving, maintaining library materials and contributing to collection development; • Administrative duties to include data collection and analysis, report writing and cash reconciliation; • Building management and health and safety; • Any other duties that may be assigned by the County Librarian or line manager. Qualifications 1. Character Each candidate will be of good character. 2. Health Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. 3. Citizenship Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be: a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa or f) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa. 4. Education, Training, Experience Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: a) have a good general level of education. Please supply copies of any relevant Qualification Certificates you may have with the application form.

Desirable Attributes and Skills • Excellent communication skills; • An awareness of community-based services; • A strong commitment to quality customer service; • A working knowledge of current information technology applications. Core Competencies Key Competencies for the Branch Librarian post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence on the application form and at interview of the competencies under each of the specific areas: -

DELIVERING RESULTS Key Performance Indicators: • Takes responsibility for work and takes it to the next level • Completes work in a timely manner • Adapts quickly to new ways of thinking • Highlights problems and identifies potential solutions • Ability to be customer focused

PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS Key Performance Indicators: • Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of role of Branch Librarian • Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the functions and role of the County Council • Demonstrates strong communication skills both written and verbal • Demonstrates ability to persuade and influence others • Demonstrates positive customer service attitude and ethos • Good ICT skills

PERFORMANCE THROUGH PEOPLE Key Performance Indicators: • Develops and maintains good working relationships with others • Understands own role in the team and makes every effort to play his/her part of the team • Offers own ideas and perspectives • Shows respect for colleagues and co-workers • Demonstrates the ability to engage with groups of all ages and abilities

PURPOSE AND CHANGE Key Performance indicators: • Commitment to self development and improving skills and knowledge base • Demonstrates initiative and is proactive when they see an opportunity to contribute • Demonstrates flexibility and openness to change • Demonstrates ability to adapt to new challenges Particulars of Office 1. The Post: The Branch Librarian post is part time and pensionable. A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel will be used to fill both permanent and temporary positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel. 2. Salary: The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay. The current salary scale applicable to this post is €16.87 per hour to €26.25 per hour including LSIs as per Circular EL 03/2025. New Entrants to the Local Authority Service commence on the 1st point of the scale in accordance with current Government Policy as set out in Department of the Environment Circular Letter EL 02/2011 of 28th January 2011 and Circular EL 05/2016 dated 5th February 2016.

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employee’s nominated bank account. The current pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment. Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions e.g. PAYE and PRSI. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory. 3. Work Base: Westmeath County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department or premises in use by the Council, now or in the future and the person appointed will be required to work in any library location. Changes to location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense the necessary mode of travel to work 4. Working Hours: Hours of work will initially be approximately 28.5 hours per week, to include evenings and Saturdays, and may increase or decrease subject to operational needs. Rota hours may also be subject to seasonal changes. The Council reserves the right to vary these hours at its discretion. You may be required to work additional hours, depending on work requirements. Where possible, you will be notified in advance. 5. Annual Leave Annual leave will be allocated on a pro-rata basis in accordance with hours worked. Based on working 28.5 hours per week, the annual leave will be 22 days per annum. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangement for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 (as amended) 6. Sick Leave The terms of the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations 2014 as amended will prevail. 7. Probation There shall be a period after appointment takes effect during which the person appointed shall hold office on probation. (a) such period shall be twelve months, but the Chief Executive may at his/her discretion extend such period; (b) the person appointed shall cease to hold office at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of the person in such office is satisfactory. 8. Superannuation A person who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children). A person who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of his/her superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of pensionable remuneration. A person paying Class D rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme. A person paying Class A rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children). Employees are admitted to the Superannuation Scheme in accordance with the terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Act, 1998 and the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, with effect from date of appointment. This scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement and death gratuities. In order for a new entrant to the scheme to qualify for a pension, the candidate must have served a minimum of two years employment in a local authority. For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, effective from 1st January 2013, superannuation contributions are as follows: 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sum will be based on career-average pay; pensions will be co-ordinated with the State Pension Contributory 9. Retirement Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012: The compulsory retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years. Minimum pension age of 66 years, rising to 67 years and 68 years in line with State Pension age changes, is applicable. Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004: There is no mandatory retirement age for ‘New Entrants’ from 1st April, 2004 to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. 65 years is the minimum age at which a person may be paid. As a new entrant to the public service, under the terms of this legislation, new entrants will not be required to retire on grounds of age. Anyone who is not a ‘New Entrant’ to the public service, defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is subject to compulsory retirement age of 65 years. 10. Travel When required to do so, holders of the post shall hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. If you are required to travel as part of your official duties, Westmeath County Council as your employer must be indemnified on your insurance policy. Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and Westmeath County Council’s Travel and Subsistence Policy. If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence, which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.