The Special Collections Division of the University Library has a vacancy for a highly motivated and well-organized cataloguer to work on our exceptional rare book collections. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to one of the University Library’s key strategic priorities, making our Special Collections more widely known and accessible to the national and international research community.  

The post holder will report to the Rare Books Librarian. Initially you will be managing a team of part-time student cataloguers (up to 2.5 FTE) in an established and high profile retrospective cataloguing project, Lighting the Past. You will line manage and supervise the team, recruiting and training new staff as required and managing the team rota. The Rare Books Cataloguer will be responsible for daily quality control of catalogue records being created; the work will include answering cataloguing questions, dealing with bibliographically complex items encountered during the project, and ESTC reporting. In addition to managing the project you will catalogue new accessions to full DCRM(B) level, and update cataloguing and best practice documentation as needed.  

Phase 1 of Lighting the Past is scheduled to run until April 2018. Thereafter this permanent role will focus on creating full-level catalogue records for our uncatalogued rare book holdings, and editing and upgrading existing records.  

You will have a good honours degree, a working knowledge of Latin and at least one other European language, and experience of working with early printed books. You should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, problem-solving ability, and be able to work to a high level of detail and accuracy. IT and database skills and an interest in the preservation and care of rare books are essential.  You must have excellent time management and organizational skills, preferably with experience of working in or managing a project environment. Ideally you will have extensive knowledge and experience of cataloguing rare and early printed books.  

This is a full-time post to start as soon as possible. For an informal discussion of the post, please contact Elizabeth Henderson, Rare Books Librarian, email: eah10@st-andrews.ac.uk or tel: 01334 462383.  

The University of St Andrews is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all, which is further demonstrated through its working on the Gender and Race Equality Charters and being awarded the Athena SWAN award for women in science, HR Excellence in Research Award and the LGBT Charter;  http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/diversityawards/.   

In 2018 the University will establish purpose built office accommodation at Guardbridge, by St Andrews, to provide a state of the art working environment for a number of our Professional Services Units. It is anticipated that up to 350 Professional Services staff from a range of Units will be based in the new development at Guardbridge. 

This post may be primarily based at Guardbridge.      

Please quote ref: CG1509MR

Closing Date: 12 September 2016

Further Particulars: CG1509MR FPs.doc

University Library
Special Collections Division
Salary: £25,769 - £30,738 per annum
Start: As soon as possible