** Apologies for cross-posting **

A great opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated, confident and 
enthusiastic person to work with the EARL team.  The post will involve 
liaising with a wide range of people from a variety of backgrounds and 
working closely with a small team of committed individuals in a 
friendly and supportive environment.  We welcome applications from 
recent graduates or from people with equivalent library or information 
work experience who are keen to contribute to the work of the EARL 
Consortium.

ABOUT US

The EARL Consortium, composed of seventy-five percent of all UK public 
library authorities along with many supporting partners from a range of 
different sectors, works to promote the role of public libraries in 
providing library and information services within a networked 
environment. It offers advice and support to the public library 
community through seminars and publications and has successfully 
developed several prototype networked services including Ask A 
Librarian, Familia and EARLweb in order to demonstrate how shared 
networked services can be delivered.

Further information about the work of the Consortium is available from 
the EARL website
(http://www.earl.org.uk/).

JOB PURPOSE

To be responsible for the overall co-ordination of the EARL office, to 
liaise with existing and potential partners at all levels, and to 
provide administrative support to the office team.  To contribute to 
EARL's programme of subject and other networking initiatives as well as 
the delivery of events and other awareness raising activities which aim 
to facilitate the transition of library services delivery to the 
networked age.

KEY TASKS

* General administrative and organisational duties to ensure the smooth 
running of the office.
* Managing and answering enquiries and correspondence providing written 
and oral answers.
* Liaising with a wide range of people from all levels including the 
EARL team, Co-ordinating Partner and Management Board.
* Preparation and editing of the quarterly Newsletter, including 
commissioning of content.
* Support and report writing for EARL Board and Council meetings, 
including organisation and minute writing.
* Organising seminars and other training activities relating to public 
library networking including handling of associated administrative 
duties such as budgeting, arranging room hire, catering, registration, 
etc.  Facilitation and participation at seminars as necessary.
* Organisation, attendance and representation of EARL at meetings as 
required.
* Management and maintenance of a range of office procedures to support 
the work of the team including filing processes of all Consortium and 
other reports & publications.
* Promotion and publicity for EARL using a variety of formats such as 
email discussion lists and printed matter.
* Management and co-ordination of the Ask a Librarian 
(http://www.earl.org.uk/ask/) email reference enquiry service.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

* Qualification in library and information science or equivalent 
experience preferred.
* A keen interest in public library networking and an understanding of 
the People's Network project highly desirable.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills essential.
* Confident and positive in public.
* Good interpersonal and representational skills in dealing with a wide 
range of people from all levels.
* Experience in dealing with public enquiries.
* Work effectively in a small team.
* ICT literate and have experience of working with the Internet and 
email.
* Ability to work well under pressure, prioritise workloads and be able 
to work to tight deadlines.
* Attention to detail.

CONDITIONS OF THE POST

Full time.
12-month fixed term contract (renewable).
Salary negotiable depending on experience.

FURTHER INFORMATION

If you are interested in working in this dynamic and rapidly changing 
environment, then we'd love to hear from you. Please forward a CV and  
 covering letter to:

Chris Webster
EARL: The Consortium for Public Library Networking
Fourth Floor, Gun Court
70 Wapping Lane
London  E1W 2RS

email: [log in to unmask]

----------------------
Chris Webster
EARL: The Consortium for Public Library Networking

e: [log in to unmask]
t: 020 7702 2020
f: 020 7702 2019
http://www.earl.org.uk/

4th Floor, Gun Court
70 Wapping Lane
London E1W 2RS