Job Title: Library Assistant Reporting To: Assistant Librarian Location: 26 York Street School (or department): RCSI Library Contract type/duration: Permanent, Full time Closing date for applications: 5pm, Wednesday 15th October 2025 Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI): RCSI is a community of academic, research, clinical and professional staff working collaboratively to lead the world to better health.
Here, you will thrive in an innovative and inclusive atmosphere, and your personal development and wellbeing will be supported.
We invite you to join us to help deliver on our exciting mission "To educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health".
We seek candidates whose experience to date has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to the "Race Equality Action Plan " at RCSI.
Our students come from all walks of life and so do we.
We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
This makes our university stronger and ensures we hire the best talent.
For each of the last six years, RCSI has been positioned in the Top 300 of universities worldwide in the Times Higher World University Rankings.
We are proud that RCSI ranks first in the world for "Good Health and Well-being" in the Times Higher Education #SDG #SDG Impact Rankings 2025.
This reflects our commitment to supporting people of all ages to live healthy lives and our work to promote the concepts of well-being and positive health.
Our values of Respect, Collaboration, Scholarship and Innovation continue to unite and direct our purpose.
Innovating for a Healthier Future is RCSI's new five-year strategic plan.
Through it, RCSI will enhance human health by meeting the health workforce needs of society, creating the insights and inventions that drive health improvements, and working in partnership with patients and the public in support of better health and well-being for all.
The strategy unites the RCSI community in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals - with a particular focus on Goal 3, which targets good health and well-being.
More details about RCSI can be ; in particular.
At RCSI, our core values of Respect, Collaboration, Scholarship, and Innovation are at the heart of everything we do.
We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where every colleague is valued and empowered to thrive.
Our dedication to these values ensures that we foster a culture of mutual respect, open collaboration, continuous learning, and innovative thinking.
Join us at RCSI, where your contributions will be recognised, and you will be part of a dynamic team making a real impact on global health.
Objective of this post: To proactively assist library customers to access and use library resources, services and facilities in support of their learning, teaching and research activities; to positively support the development and delivery of these services and resources.
All Library Assistants are members of the Customer Services team providing a welcoming and knowledgeable frontline service to users online and onsite.
Library Assistants are assigned to provide dedicated support in one or more service portfolios which currently include: Information Point & Outreach Coordinator; Teaching & Learning; Scholarly Communications & Research; Library Systems; Content & Metadata Management; Clinical Support; and Heritage Collections.
RCSI Library supports the personal and professional development of all team members.
Library assistants participate in regular and on-going training and development relevant to their roles, enabling them to best support library users.
The post-holder will be based in RCSI Library, 26 York Street.
Specific Responsibilities include: Delivering excellent customer service at all times by providing a welcoming, supportive and efficient service to all library users.
Providing support and assistance to internal and external library customers in person, by phone, by email and online in accessing and using library-provided information resources and services.
Supporting the delivery of the virtual and in-person information desks and library roaming/roving duties to answer and resolve enquiries and make appropriate referrals to other resources and services, internally and externally, to meet customer needs.
Maintaining the library environment, including shelving books and tidying of library resources, monitoring the space and ensuring adherence to Library and University policies.
Providing dedicated support in one or more of the service portfolio areas which currently include: Information Point & Outreach Coordinator; Teaching & Learning; Scholarly Communications & Research; Library Systems; Content & Metadata Management; Clinical Support; and Heritage Collections.
Providing classroom based and online assistance to the Teaching & Learning Librarians and others by delivering basic introductory training sessions and assisting with hands-on help in other sessions.
Supporting Assistant Librarian colleagues in preparing content and materials for library training.
Developing and maintaining electronically delivered library services including, but not limited to, the RCSI institutional repository, the library web site, online catalogue, e-journal portal, LibGuides, Moodle and library communication channels.
Using the library management systems, such as ALMA, PRESERVICA and CALM, to carry out a range of administrative and processing tasks.
Carrying out administrative duties, including but not limited to collecting and producing regular statistics, and documenting procedures and assisting with the collation of data for usage reporting and monitoring.
Contributing to the planning, development, marketing and promotion of library services.
Contributing to the promotion of library services at key University events.
Proactively liaising with University support services to ensure timely reporting and resolution of issues arising requiring University support service action.
Participating in internal library project teams/activities as necessary.
Attending team meetings and liaising effectively with colleagues.
Undertaking appropriate staff development programmes and keeping up to date with new resources, information and new service offerings.
Complying with statutory legislation and Department rules and requirements in furtherance of your own and general staff welfare and safety.
Representing the best interests of RCSI and the library at all times.
A flexible approach to the duties of the post is required and undertaking other duties as may be required.
Person Specification: The successful candidate will ideally possess and demonstrate: Essential A relevant third level qualification and/or relevant experience as a Library Assistant in a similar environment.
Excellent customer service ethos and demonstrated customer care skills.
Desirable Strong IT and software application skills including Microsoft Office; highly desirable to have experience of specialist systems including any of the following: o Library Management System, preferably ALMA; o social media tools; o a working knowledge of search platforms, including searching and interrogating online information environments.
o research repository, preferably Figshare; o software to support online learning; A working knowledge of document supply services such as British Library and/or Subito is desirable.
Demonstrated collection management skills such as cataloguing and stock inventory processes are desirable.
Evidence of a flexible approach to work and a willingness to accept and adapt to change.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate in an effective manner.
Ability to multitask, to work calmly under pressure and perform work with accuracy and attention to detail.
Demonstrated strong commitment to continuing professional development.
Capacity to deliver results.
The ability to work on one's own initiative as well as in a team environment.
We are all too aware that imposter syndrome and the confidence gap can sometimes stop fantastic candidates putting themselves forward, so please do submit an application - we'd love to hear from you.
Application Process Please apply online through the RCSI careers portal on the closing date with your CV and cover letter.
Click here to read our Recruitment and Selection Policy for Researcher.
Informal Enquiries: Informal enquiries are invited in the first instance through Rebecca O'Brien, Human Resources Department (email: ).
All applications for this post must be made through the career's webpage .
Rebecca can arrange for relevant queries on the academic aspects of the role to be addressed by the hiring manager.
Please note we do not accept CVs directly.
Garda vetting and occupational health review may be required for this role, depending on the nature of the duties and responsibilities.
Further information will be provided during the recruitment process.
Employee Benefits At RCSI, we help care for our people so they can focus on our mission to Educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health.
RCSI truly goes above and beyond to support its employees, ensuring they have everything they need to thrive both personally and professionally.
Here's a glimpse of the fantastic benefits available: Health and Wellbeing: Our Inspire Programme promotes the importance of taking care of both our general health and mental health.
Inspire manages the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offered through SpectrumLife.
Past events held by Inspire have included, workshops on mindfulness practices, yoga, nutritional advice, financial advice on mortgages, pensions & health insurance from leading experts, fitness challenges, baking competitions, weight loss programmes, annual flu vaccination campaign and many more.
You can also enjoy access to an onsite gym for just €10 per month.
Work -Life Balance: Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for fostering employee well-being, productivity, and overall satisfaction.
At RCSI, we offer flexible working arrangements, study leave, and career breaks.
In addition to 20 days of annual leave, employees receive an extra 6.5 days of university privilege days, which occur annually around the Christmas and Easter breaks.
Family Benefits: RCSI offers enhanced family leave to our working parents with fully paid Maternity, Adoptive, Paternity and Surrogacy Leave.
We also offer the first two weeks of Parents leave fully paid for, as well as the option to take Parental Leave until your child is 18 years old.
We provide access to Platform 55, a new Parents Platform to support staff before, during, and after becoming a parent.
We also offer flexible working, discounted Giraffe crche services of up to 20% and a Parents and Carers' Network.
Financial Security: Benefit from automatic enrolment in a pension scheme with Willis Towers Watson with the employer contributions increasing with your length of service, Death in Service of up to 4 times your salary, long-term illness and disability income replacement, and free advice on health, motor, and home insurance.
Discounted Services: Avail of discounted GP services, Taxsaver commuter tickets, the BiketoWork scheme, free eye tests at the National Optometry Centre, and discounted parking at St. Stephen's Green/RCSI car park.
Recognition: At RCSI, we value and recognise the contributions of our staff through various awards and events, such as Long Service recognition, the Vice Chancellor Staff Awards, and through Research Day.
Professional Growth: RCSI's Staff Learning and Development is committed to providing colleagues with opportunities and support to help them reach their full potential and thrive at work.
Offerings include a comprehensive programme of staff training, management and leadership development, mentoring, coaching and funding support for further study.
Staff Networks: Additionally, we support a range of staff networks, including the Women's Network, Postdoctoral Staff Network, Parents & Carers' Network, Project Manager's Network, LGBTI+ Network, Age Friendly Network etc.
These networks help RCSI to foster a sense of community and inclusivity.
Sports and Social Club: Engage in a variety of activities such as Yoga, Pilates and a variety of different Fitness classes.
Enjoy social evenings, Book Clubs, Summer BBQs and one-off events like the Taste of Dublin, Bloom, Dublin Horse Show and Dublin Zoo.
We also have a variety of discount tickets for shows and events through the year.
Note: This job description may be subject to change to reflect the evolving requirements of the Department and RCSI.
Similar vacancies that arise in the next 6 months may be filled from the pool of applicants that apply for this position.
RCSI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or race.
RCSI is committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across everything we do.
This ensures we can all work and learn in an environment defined by dignity and respect.
Eligibility to work in Ireland is a requirement of this role, Proof of eligibility documentation will be required at a later date.
Under limited and specific circumstances (research/ specialist roles) RCSI may be in a position to seek a hosting agreement and/or work permits.
Employees are required to undertake 6 months service in their current role before applying for other internal opportunities, unless agreed in advance by the SMT representative