Positions at National Library of Scotland

Preservation Services Assistants (2 positions)
National Library of Scotland
Edinburgh

UKP13,756 - UKP16,507

Two fixed term appointments for 2-1-2 years with a possible 6 month
extension

The National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh is one of Europe's
leading research libraries and the largest library in Scotland, with
world class collections, services and expertise.

Within its collections the National Library of Scotland holds the
remarkable archive of the Bartholomew mapmaking firm.  This archive
is much more than the record of one world famous mapmaking firm.  As
Bartholomew was a jobbing printer, working for others to provide
maps and illustrations, the Archive relates to their work for many
map producers (and general publishers) from the mid-19th to the late
20th century.

As a member of the Preservation Services Unit, you will be
responsible for applying remedial treatment and protection measures
to the Bartholomew collection.  You must be enthusiastic and have
excellent communication and problem solving skills.  You must be
able to work well on your own and as part of a team.  Relevant
practical experience is essential.

For a recruitment pack, please email job [at] nls__uk stating your
correspondence address, or telephone Human Resources on +44 131 623
3721.  Closing date for applications is Friday 3 August 2007.

Job title: Preservation Services Assistant (Band 3) - Full time, 2
1/2 year fixed term contract with a possible 6 month extension (2
posts)

Reports to: Conservation Manager

Function: Working as part of a team using conservation techniques,
to assist in the application of remedial treatment and protection
measures to the Bartholomew map collection.

Resources: A fully equipped workshop, which includes tacking irons,
guillotines, presses, gluing machines, etc.

Duties and responsibilities

    1.  To dis-bind a collection of map volumes in the Bartholomew
        Archive and carry out remedial treatment of the maps using
        archivally sound materials

    2.  To construct solander boxes and portfolios to house the
        Bartholomew Archive ensuring the items being stored fit
        appropriately.

    3.  To help integrate the Bartholomew programme outputs into the
        wider services of NLS in order to achieve the best benefits
        for the Library and its users.

    4.  Carry out other appropriate tasks assigned by senior staff
        in the Unit.

Person specification: Preservation Services Assistant (Band 3)

Skills, abilities and knowledge

    Ability to work independently and as part of a team

    Ability to prioritise and manage work and deliver to deadlines

    Excellent organisational skills

    Good manual dexterity

    Good verbal and written communication skills

    Good IT skills, including MS Word, Excel and Outlook

    Demonstrable problem-solving skills

    Awareness of professional issues and best practice in
    preservation/conservation

Personal qualities

    An enthusiastic and flexible outlook

    An innovative approach to challenges

    Commitment to conservation of cultural heritage material

    A sympathy with, and understanding of, the cultural or library
    sector

Experience: Experience of working in a preservation area in a
library (or similar environment)

Conditions of Employment:

General: Though the staff of the National Library of Scotland are
not civil servants, since they are employed by the Board of Trustees
and not by the Crown, their terms of employment are broadly similar.

Salary: Appointment will be to Band 3.  The salary scale is
UKP13,756 - UKP16,507 per annum.  Appointment is normally to the
minimum. Progression will be dependent upon performance and on the
terms of any pay settlement agreed between the Library and its
recognised Trade Unions.

Status: The post is full-time and fixed term initially for 2-1-2
years, with a possible 6 month extension.

Hours: Staff normally work a 4.5 day week of 37 hours excluding
lunch breaks.  The postholder must be prepared to work flexibly as
reasonably required.

Annual Leave: There is an annual leave allowance of 26.5 days. Leave
can only be taken with the approval of the appropriate line manager.
In addition, the postholder will receive 10 days public and
privilege holidays.  This leave will be pro-rata for the hours
worked.

Retirement: Library staff must retire on the day before their 65th
birthday, unless retained in service beyond that date for management
reasons or, exceptionally, on compelling compassionate grounds.

Pension: Library staff are eligible to join the Civil Service
Arrangements, which is contracted out of the State scheme, although
access to ill-health retirement benefits is dependent on the member
of staff meeting the scheme's health standard on recruitment.  You
can choose between:

    1. nuvos.  This is an occupational pension scheme that currently
    has a 3.5% member contribution rate.  As your employer, we meet
    the rest of the cost of the scheme.

    2. partnership pension account.  This is a stakeholder pension
    with a contribution from ourselves.  How much we pay is based on
    your age.  We pay this regardless of whether you choose to
    contribute anything.  You do not have to contribute but, if you
    do, we will also match your contributions up to 3% of your
    pensionable earnings.  The contributions are in addition to the
    age-related contribution mentioned above.

There are arrangements for transferring pension rights to and from
other pension schemes, and for increasing scheme benefits by the
payment of additional voluntary contributions.

Smoking: Smoking at work is not permitted.

The National Library of Scotland is one of the world's leading
research libraries, the world's leading centre for the study of
Scotland and the Scots, and one of Scotland's premier cultural and
educational institutions.  We support the work of academic
researchers but also welcome a diverse range of other customers. The
Library has a history of over 300 years, being successor to the
historic Library of the Faculty of Advocates, founded in the late
17th century.  With the provision of an endowment by Sir Alexander
Grant of Forres, the Government in 1925 accepted the Faculty's offer
to present its library, with the exception of the law books and
manuscripts, to the nation to become the National Library of
Scotland.

The National Library is the largest library in Scotland, with around
13 million printed items, and it is one of six Legal Deposit
libraries in the British Isles and Ireland.  It has extensive and
varied collections of printed material (maps, music, newspapers etc,
as well as books), large collections of manuscripts and electronic
and digital publications.  Its special characteristics derive from
its status as a national and Legal Deposit library which gives it
the right to claim a copy of all published items in the UK and
Ireland.  The Library also acquires, mainly by purchase, but also by
gift and deposit older books, maps and music, modern foreign
publications, and manuscripts.  Our collections span the centuries
from early times to the digital age and cover virtually every
subject, and one of our key functions is to preserve and promote
these world-class collections for present and future generations.
Through these treasured items, we chart the global and historical
influence of Scots at home and abroad, while also recording and
reflecting the ideas and cultures of the world.  The Library offers
a year-round programme of free exhibitions and cultural events,
which offer an excellent introduction to our collections, and a
surprising range of subjects and activities.

The Library is a non-departmental public body (an NDPB), funded
directly by the Scottish Executive Education Department, and has
around 300 staff. Although operating at arm's length from
Government, the Library is ultimately answerable to the Scottish
Parliament.  Its affairs are directed by a Board of Trustees, and it
is headed by the National Librarian/Chief Executive and a Senior
Management Team of five directors.  In addition to specialist
curators, various groups of staff provide behind-the-scenes back up
in fields such as preservation, cataloguing, stock management,
administration and computer services.  The Library operates from
four buildings with most of the staff based in either its George IV
Bridge or Causewayside Buildings.  The successful candidate for this
post will be based in our Causewayside Building, and may required to
work in any or all of our buildings.

Applications: Applicants are asked to complete the application form
in full.  Completed application forms should be returned to the

    Human Resources Division
    National Library of Scotland
    George IV Bridge
    Edinburgh EH1 1EW

by 5 pm on Friday 3 August 2007.  If you wish to have your
application acknowledged, please attach a stamped addressed
envelope.

References: Any job offer will be conditional on the receipt of
satisfactory references.  Please do not send testimonials.  On your
application form you are asked to name people who are not related to
you and who have agreed to act as your referees.  They should have
first-hand knowledge of your qualifications and experience and be
able to report on your present or recent employment.  The Library
may ask your referees, present employers and any previous employers
for reports on your experience and suitability for appointment.
These reports will be treated in strict confidence.  If you do not
wish the Library to write to your present employer before interview
please say so in the space provided on the application form.
However, if you are recommended for appointment, your employer will
have to be approached before a firm offer of employment can be made.

Selection Procedure: The applicants who appear from the information
they have provided to be best qualified for the post will be
shortlisted.  They will be invited to visit the Library in advance
of the interview.  Selection will be by a formal board interview.

If you are successful in your application the Library will carry out
enquiries into your identity, age, qualifications and employment
history, to ensure that you are qualified for appointment.  Only
then can a formal offer of employment be made.  You will not be
rejected on account of disability provided that you are able to
carry out satisfactorily the duties of the post.  We would be happy
to make any special arrangements required by candidates at
interview, for example because of a disability.

Nationality: It is a criminal offence to employ someone who does not
have permission to live and work in the UK.  Before any offer of
employment is confirmed, the Library will require to see and copy an
original document proving the candidate's right to live and work in
the UK.  A variety of documents are acceptable and a full list will
be provided to the successful candidate.  An offer of employment can
only be confirmed if this check is completed.

Basic Disclosure:

Certificate: Part V of the Police Act 1997 introduced a new system
of disclosing criminal history information to individuals and
organisations for employment and other purposes.  There are three
levels of Disclosures: Basic, Standard and Enhanced.  The level
required for employment with the Library is Basic Disclosure which
provides details of any unspent convictions or states that there are
no criminal convictions.

The successful applicant will be required to produce a Basic
Disclosure Certificate.  An Application Form for the Certificate is
available from:

    Disclosure Bureau
    PO Box 250
    Glasgow G51 1YU
    +44 870 609 6006
    Fax: +44 870 609 6996
    info [at] disclosurescotland__co__uk
    <URL:http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk>

Disclosure Bureau charge UKP20.00 for a Basic Disclosure
Certificate.  The Library will reimburse this cost to the successful
candidate.

Equal Opportunities:The National Library of Scotland is an equal
opportunity employer.  Its policy is to provide equal opportunities
for employment, career development and promotion to all who are
eligible, on the basis of ability, qualifications and fitness for
the work.  Applications are welcome from all qualified individuals
irrespective of race, sex, marital status, sexual orientation,
religion or belief or disability.

Mr R Jackson
Preservation and Conservation Manager
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EW
+44 131 623 3858
Fax: 131 623 3701


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 21:17
                  Distributed: Saturday, July 21, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-21-17-032
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