Job title: County Librarian
Employer: Leitrim County Council
Location: Leitrim
Closing Date: 3pm, Thursday, 19th June 2025
Salary: Starting at €80,165
About the Employer:
Local government in Ireland comprises 31 local authorities representing the closest and most accessible level of government to citizens in Ireland, responsible for the delivery of a wide range of services in their functional area including housing, planning, infrastructure, environmental protection, economic development, recreational amenities and community development.
County Leitrim, located in the Northwest of Ireland, has a growing population and economy, picturesque landscape, vibrant communities and a strong arts and cultural sector. Leitrim County Council leads and collaborates with all to drive and shape a better future for our County and it is a progressive, dynamic and innovative local authority in Ireland.
Leitrim County Council comprises 18 Elected Members (Councillors), employs a workforce of approximately 400 and has adopted a Revenue Budget for 2025 of €60.1m. In addition, the six-year Capital Investment Programme 2025 to 2030 inclusive projects a total capital expenditure of €530m. The Council delivers a comprehensive, diverse, and evolving range of services to citizens, businesses, and visitors. As a key public service, the Council has responsibility to provide good quality accessible services in an efficient and effective manner and to exercise our civic leadership role to promote the economic, social and cultural development of the County in a balanced and sustainable manner. The Council operates in a dynamic and uncertain environment however which has altered dramatically in recent years and such changes present significant challenges and demand a flexible and responsive organisation to keep pace.
Leitrim County Council’s corporate vision is for an ambitious, thriving, sustainable and connected Leitrim with opportunity for everyone. Key to the achievement of our priorities and objectives is a skilled and committed workforce, supported by enabling technologies, efficient work processes and learning and development opportunities. Leitrim County Council offers excellent career opportunities in a wide range of administrative, professional, creative, technical, and general services roles. We are committed to the training, support and encouragement of our staff and we offer benefits across family friendly initiatives, personal development and wellbeing of staff.
About the Role:
Reporting to the Director of Service, the County Librarian is responsible for the planning and management of the Library services for the Local Authority. The Library Service meets the wide-ranging information, education, research and cultural needs of the citizens in the respective geographical area of its operations. The County Librarian is also charged with formulating the overall objectives, policies and plans for the development and operation of the service. This is a senior management role within the Local Authority which includes determining the organisational framework of the library in what is a very challenging but also rewarding environment. S/he will be responsible for ensuring the ongoing smooth operation of the service and the co-ordination of both staff and activities in the Library service. The role requires strong leadership, innovation, agility and a commitment to customer service, alongside a high level of professional library, cultural and management skills, which include a strategic and operational element while ensuring value for money.
With a network of eight branches and headquarters, Leitrim Library Service plays a key role as a frontline service reaching through the rural and urban communities. The library service has developed strong partnerships with various organisations and groups throughout the county. Visitor numbers are continually growing, and the service continues to expand. The successful candidate will be required to implement strategies to attract new visitors and retain active members through ongoing marketing and promotion, the provision of high-quality book stock and other items (including online resources), the ongoing upgrades to library buildings and engagement and collaboration with others to provide a range of activities, events and exhibitions for a range of demographics.
The County Librarian will implement national and local library and arts development plans, as well as fulfilling objectives around digital technology, STEAM initiatives, and engaging with local community groups and organisations and working closely with other staff and teams to deliver high quality library and cultural services to the public.
The successful candidate will also be required to have contact with property owners/organisations, Government Departments, the public, media, state bodies etc. as required, as well as interaction with elected members and liaising with staff/union representatives.
The successful candidate will be directly responsible to a member of the senior management team at Director of Services level.
About You:
Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:-
(a) hold a degree (at least level 8 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications) in the area of Library and Information Studies;
(b) have satisfactory experience of library work including satisfactory experience at a strategic management level,
and (c) satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation.
It would be desirable if the successful candidate had the following Skills and Experience:
• Satisfactory relevant experience at an appropriate level.
• Experience of planning strategically to manage and implement initiatives to enhance services, infrastructure and library collections.
• Experience of planning strategically to manage and implement initiatives to develop and enhance cultural services including archival services.
• Experience of leading, managing, motivating and encouraging staff in a library setting.
• Experience which demonstrates a commitment to achieving maximum benefit from financial resources while operating at all times within budget.
• Experience of networking effectively and forming links with national and community organisations in the context of future library development.
• Experience of engaging with and leveraging emerging technologies in library services and operations.
• A demonstrated commitment to modern and innovative service delivery.
• Possess an ability to initiate a comprehensive programme of public library information, learning cultural services for communities and individuals.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• An ability to foster and develop a library service for the local authority in the spirit and practice of universal access for all.
• A thorough knowledge of local government in Ireland or a demonstrable ability to quickly acquire same.
• A thorough knowledge of national public library policy and strategy or a demonstrable ability to quickly acquire same.
• An understanding of the changing environment in which Leitrim County Council operates and be capable of adapting to change in order to deliver quality services to our citizens.
• Good knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday, 19th of June, 2025.
We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.
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