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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