We are looking for an Assistant Librarian (Systems) to cover maternity
leave. Details of the job are set out below, and closing date, exact
salary, etc will be shown on the advertisement in the LA's Appointments
and on their web site.

Tony McSean


BMA Library

Assistant Librarian (Systems)


The Library

The BMA Library is one of the largest and busiest medical libraries in
the UK, and has a world reputation for innovative networked medical
information services. We aim to be a library for the working doctor and
specialise in current clinical information and serve 115,000 personal
members and 730 institutional members. Details of the library and our
activities can be found on our web site.

The Job

The post is initially available for at least 7 months to cover maternity
leave and is tenable immediately.

The post of assistant librarian systems has three main components:

Enquiry work: The library?s five assistant librarians are responsible
for staffing the main enquiry desk, with its heavy volume of telephone
enquiries. This post is currently rostered for enquiry duty 30% of the
time, working within a team of professional and paraprofessional staff
in a busy office.

Medline Plus: The OVID-based Medline Plus service is still growing
rapidly, and assisting with help desk and administrative work is this
post?s primary responsibility. The help desk is well-established with a
range of fact sheets, support materials, etc and deals with all manner
of computing, comms and searching problems. The assistant librarian
also participates in user training courses.

General systems work: The library is heavily computerised, and is
self-contained with regard to technical support and planning. The
outgoing holder of this post is involved with providing first-line
support for general PC usage; the library?s network; Dynix, OVID and
other internet servers; 10 public workstations; the library?s section of
the BMA web site which are housed on a local server. The person
appointed will be expected to assume these responsibilities as her/his
confidence, experience and ability develops.

With any post in a busy library there is a weight of routine, even
mundane work that must be done ? and this is no exception to that rule.
However, this is a fast-changing area in a library which has the
aspirations and the resources to take important initiatives and to make
a real impact on the UK?s medical information services. Our systems
team offers an environment where it is possible to enjoy oneself while
developing a range of IT and customer-service skills ? particularly in
the coming year where there will be an emphasis on integration with
other BMA information services to members.

The Person

The person appointed will be a graduate with a professional
qualification on librarianship or information work. A good general
familiarity with PC hardware, Windows or Mac software and the Internet
is essential, as is a general knowledge of the purpose, functions and
capabilities of library management systems. Practical knowledge of web
authoring, Medline and Dynix would be an advantage but is not required.
Experience of professional library work is an advantage, but a general
willingness to get involved and try out new things is more important. A
friendly manner and disposition is essential, plus an ability to learn
new skills and pass them on to others. A grasp of basic reference and
enquiry skills is essential, and a knowledge of the medical literature
and experience in a medical library will be an advantage.


General

The post is an integral part of the library?s three-person systems team
and formally reports to the Head of Development. The library takes very
seriously our commitment to equal opportunities and staff development ?
particularly in relation to professional skills, where eligible staff
are encouraged to participate in our LA-accredited Associateship
programme. 35 hours per week, no routine evening or weekend working and
pay of just over c£17,000pa including London weighting.


Applications

There are no application forms. Please send your cv as soon as
possible, including the names of two referees, to: Human Resources, BMA
House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JP. Candidates not selected for
shortlisting will not be contacted.




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