Reading Room Supervisor – Museum of Freemasonry

Role description

The purpose of the job is to make library and archive resources – and the information contained within them – available and accessible to researchers, internal customers and the general public through the supervision of the Museum’s Reading Room. The post-holder is line managed by the Librarian in the Museum of Freemasonry.

Prior knowledge of freemasonry is not required.

Key responsibilities:

• Supervise the Reading Room facilities in the Museum of Freemasonry, co-ordinating with the Librarian and Archivist.
• Support readers by identifying and or suggesting relevant resources, liaising with subject specialists in the Museum Team as appropriate.
• Invigilating the Reading Room to prevent theft of collection items and to ensure that resources are handled correctly to prevent damage.
• Collecting resources for readers and re-shelving them.
• Provide access to book supports and weights for readers as required.
• Ensuring that all new readers are registered and are aware of the Reading Room rules.
• Administer, and take payments for photocopying and scanning requests by readers, including the use of personal photography licenses.
• Copy and digitise resources.
• Manage and co-ordinate public enquiries coming into the Museum via email, ensuring that they are passed to the appropriate member of staff to answer.
• Co-ordinate lodge and Provincial history enquiries, liaising with the archives team when necessary.
• Collect data related to research visits and the use of library and archive resources.
• Perform other duties as required by management.

Person specification

(E) means Essential; (D) means Desirable

Qualifications

• Good honours degree (first/second class) OR/ relevant experience (E)

Experience

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience of working in library, archive or information environment (D)
• Relevant experience of supervising a reading room (D)
• Some knowledge of British, European and international history since 1700 would be an advantage (D)
• Prior knowledge of freemasonry is not required
• Relevant experience of scanning books and archives (D) 

Skills

• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills (E)
• Committed to a high level of customer care (E)
• Good team working skills (E)
• Flexibly and adaptability (E)
• Good time management (E)
• Good IT skills (E)
• Research skills (D)
• Attention to detail (E)
• Physical ability to retrieve library books from book stacks and handle archive boxes (D)

Hours of work

35 hours per week on a rota, to include regular weekends, with occasional bank holidays and evenings. The role will be subject to a 3 month probationary period.

Salary and benefits

The salary is £26,000 gross per annum.

Other benefits include:

• Health insurance
• Life Assurance
• 25 days holiday per year (increases to 30 days following 2 full years’ service).
• Membership of the United Grand Lodge of England’s contributory pension scheme
• Option to join corporate gym membership scheme
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Application details

To apply please send your CV and covering letter to: Elizabeth Gay – Director of HR – via email to [email protected]

Please ensure that your CV/covering letter evidences the necessary skills and how your experience to date matches the requirements for the role.

CV’s received without a covering letter will not be considered.

Closing date for applications is 5pm on 24 January 2023.