Library Assistant

Department:
Content Licensing and Intellectual Property

Closing Date: 28 September 2026

Weekly

Working Hours:

37

Contract Type:
Permanent

Fixed Term

Contract:

End Date:
Not Applicable

Welsh Language:
Not Applicable

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You will provide proactive and efficient administrative support to the Library Services Content and Licensing team, while also assisting with service delivery across other areas of the Library as required. The role involves purchasing and renewing both online and print content from multiple suppliers, managing orders and invoices, evaluating resource usage, value and accessibility, promoting library resources, and providing document delivery and inter-library lending services for Open University researchers and staff.

You will contribute to both project work and business-as-usual activities, balancing competing priorities to ensure deadlines and service requirements are met. In addition, you will organise and maintain financial transaction data, providing information to support decisions relating to the acquisition, licensing and use of online information resources, as well as the Library's annual Information Resources Budget. Working closely with the Senior Library Assistant, you will also provide deputising support when required.

Flexibility is essential, as Library Assistants are expected to support a range of library operations and may be called upon to assist other areas of the service in response to business needs.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties or a restrictive definition of the post, but a guide to the post-holder’s main priorities and typical activities. Duties may change over time as priorities and requirements evolve and may be amended by the line manager following discussion with the post-holder.

• Undertaking administrative processes supporting content acquisition, including placing orders, receipting and invoicing, maintaining accurate subscription records, producing data for reports and contributing to systems reviews and process improvements.
• Researching and checking the availability of items for purchase or loan, liaising with libraries, book suppliers and journal agents, placing orders and monitoring supplier performance against agreed contractual terms.
• Responding to enquiries from Library users via webchat, email, telephone and in person, ensuring enquiries are accurately recorded.
• Collecting and collating usage data to evaluate the use and effectiveness of online content purchased by Library Services.
• Maintaining cost data in subscription records, producing budget and expenditure reports, processing publisher updates, resolving discrepancies with the Senior Library Assistant and advising colleagues of changes.
• Supporting the Library’s work to meet the needs of students with disabilities by assessing online platforms and content against agreed accessibility criteria and providing reports to inform purchasing decisions and publisher engagement.
• Contributing to initiatives that promote awareness and use of Library content among students and researchers, including social media and other appropriate channels.
• Supporting services across the wider Library, including Research Support and the Enquiries Helpdesk.

All staff are expected to:

• Undertake any other duties which may reasonably be required.
• Take reasonable care of the Health and Safety of themselves and that of…