Library Assistant

The Role Maynooth University is committed to a strategy in which the primary University goals of excellent research and scholarship and outstanding education are interlinked and equally valued. We are seeking a committed, proactive person to support the work of the Library in the critical area of Special Collections and Archives. The post will involve working with Special Collections both in the John Paul II Library and the Russell Library. The post holder will report to the Senior Library Assistant, Special Collections and Archives. As an integral member of a small team, they will, after a period of initial training, have a varied role in the daily running of the respective library services to readers and visitors. This will include: the care and preservation of older books and manuscripts, their documentation, and their presentation to the public and other related activities including supporting teaching and learning initiatives in the area of Special Collections as well as providing assistance in the presentation of exhibitions.

Principal Duties Administrative and other duties: This will include: • Participating in the running of the service, over both sites to readers, in all its aspects • Providing high quality, specialised assistance to users, including first line support to users of the service • Making a significant contribution to activities promoting the use of Special Collections to users, including web pages, blog postings and other social media • Assisting in the day to day organisation of the work areas and collections of both Russell Library and Special Collections in the John Paul II Library • Delivering tours, talks and classes to a variety of groups as appropriate • Undertaking appropriate curatorial and exhibition work • Participation in a variety of projects in the Library; both within and beyond designated section • Other duties associated with the above • Any other duties as assigned by the University Librarian or his nominee

The ideal candidate will have: Essential Requirements: • Strong customer service skills with previous experience of working in a library or customer facing environment • Excellent time keeping and a high level of motivation with a proactive, energetic, enthusiastic and adaptable approach to a variety of tasks and projects • Good organisational skills, attention to detail and excellent communication and interpersonal skills • Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines while working both on own initiative and as part of a team, along with the flexibility to ensure library services are maintained at all times • Knowledge and experience of Library IT Systems, Microsoft 365 (or similar), and social media Desirable Requirements: • An interest in and experience of curatorship, bibliography, archives and rare books would be advantageous • An interest in using social media to disseminate the work of the department • Previous experience of using an automated library management system • Familiarity with a range of key online and printed resources.

The Library There are two main buildings - the John Paul II Library and the Russell Library, both of which hold significant rare book, archive and manuscript collections. Notable items in these collections include: • Archives of significant figures from scholarship, activism and literature, • Gaelic manuscripts dating from the 15th to the 19th century • English, Latin and French manuscripts from the 11th century • A world class Bible collection of over 2500 items covering nearly 600 languages • Cuneiform tablets from pre Christian Mesopotamia • A variety of incunabula from the 15th century • The Otway-Maurice collection from St. Canice’s, Kilkenny, containing over 3000 rare items Access is also provided to over 500,000 electronic books and 70,000 electronic journals. The overall strategy for Maynooth University Library is articulated in the current Library Strategic Plan. Further information about the Library can be found on the Library’s website and social media platforms.

The University Maynooth University is a very distinctive university, a collegial institution focused on science and engineering, humanities, and social sciences, and equally committed to research, teaching and community engagement. Located in Ireland’s only university town, its distinctive features and character owe much to its unique history and heritage. It provides a high-quality educational experience to over 15,000 students on a campus with 18th century roots and 21st century dynamism. The strategic trajectory and accomplishments of Maynooth University, in the 25 years since its establishment as an autonomous public university, are exceptional, and a source of great pride to the university community, staff, students and alumni. Maynooth University is now acknowledged to be one of the leading young universities in the world, and in 2022 ranked # 1 in Ireland in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Best Young University Rankings. Maynooth University’s growing global reputation is based on the originality, quality, importance and impact of its research and scholarship, commitment to teaching and learning, the quality of academic programmes, and its leadership in widening participation in higher education. The sources of success are the dedication of its staff and the energy and engagement of its students. Maynooth University is a place of lively contrasts – a modern institution, dynamic, rapidly-growing, research-led and engaged, yet grounded in historic academic strengths and scholarly traditions. With over 15,000 students Maynooth offers a range of programmes at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level in the humanities, science and engineering and social sciences, including business, law and education. The University also offers a range of international programmes and partnerships. Maynooth’s unique collegial culture fosters an interdisciplinary approach to research, which its worldclass academics bring to bear in tackling some of the most fundamental challenges facing society today. The University’s research institutes and centres consolidate and deliver this impact as vibrant communities of learning, discovery and creation. Research at Maynooth also is very much central to its teaching and the University prides itself on placing equal value on its research and teaching missions.

Principles and Values Maynooth University is committed to the following values: • Scholarly rigour; • Academic freedom; • Integrity and ethical behaviour; • Collegiality, transparency and trust; • Equality, inclusiveness and social justice; • Operational excellence, organisational flexibility and responsiveness; • Dignity, respect and care for the individual. Salary Library Assistant (2024): €27,353 – 45,939 p.a. (16 points)