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Page updated 25 October 2023

Library (Lib)

The Library Job Family includes roles that organise UCD’s information in a way that inspires engagement and learning, facilitates its use in promoting research innovation and serves to contribute to the preservation of Irish cultural heritage.

Experience and Qualifications required by Career Level:

Please copy the wording below according to the career level of your role to insert on your chosen template:

Career Level To be inserted in job description under Experience and Qualifications
Career Level 1

1-2 years’ professional library or customer services experience working in either a large organisation or a third level institution and/or a third level qualification. 

Career Level 2 2-3 years’ professional library experience working in either a large organisation or a third level institution and/or a third level qualification.
Career Level 3 3-4 years’ professional library experience working in either a large organisation or a third level institution and/or 
EITHER
A recognised post-graduate library qualification as recognised by the (opens in a new window)Library Association of Ireland.
OR
Archivists require a postgraduate qualification in archives administration a recognised by the (opens in a new window)Archives and Records Association.
Career Level 4

4-5 years’ professional library experience working in either a large organisation or a third level institution and ETHER

A recognised post-graduate library qualification as recognised by the (opens in a new window)Library Association of Ireland.
OR
Archivists require a postgraduate qualification in archives administration a recognised by the (opens in a new window)Archives and Records Association.

Career Level 5 5-6 years’ professional experience working in a library related role in either a large organisation or a third level institution and a third level qualification and a recognised post-graduate library qualification as recognised by the (opens in a new window)Library Association of Ireland.
Career Level 6  7-10 years’ professional library experience working in either a large organisation or a third level institution and EITHER
A recognised post-graduate library qualification as recognised by the (opens in a new window)Library Association of Ireland.
OR
Archivists require a postgraduate qualification in archives administration a recognised by the (opens in a new window)Archives and Records Association.
Career Level 7 10-15 years’ professional experience, including 3 years’ operating at a senior level in a large organisation or third level institution and a third level qualification and a recognised post-graduate library qualification as recognised by the (opens in a new window)Library Association of Ireland.
Career Level 8 Not Applicable
Career Level 9 15 years’ professional experience, including 5 years’ operating at the most senior levels in either a large organisation or third level institution and a recognised post-graduate library qualification as recognised by the (opens in a new window)Library Association of Ireland

Functional Competencies

A competency is a skill or attribute that is required to carry out a role effectively. They are normally an important part of job descriptions.  Functional competencies can vary between roles in a Job Family and between Job Families themselves. They are specific to each Job Family.   

When you are completing the functional competency selection criteria for your role, you should choose the most appropriate functional competencies from the list below in keeping with the career level of your role. 

You should only choose functional competencies from the Job Family that your role belongs to, is not possible to mix the functional competencies from different families in one job description.

If there is a specific skill that you require that his not available under the competencies available to you in this particular Job Family, you can add this as a bullet under the Experience and Qualifications section. 

Functional Competencies - Library Job Family

Choose functional competencies from the list below as appropriate for your role.  The wording to describe each functional competency is also provided under each heading for use in the job description.  You should use this and tailor as needed to include relevant information relating to the role and the requirements of your unit. 

It is not now required to include proficiency levels.

  • Knowledge of standards, practices and tools for bibliographic and archival control.
  • Creates accurate and standards driven metadata for enhanced and persistent access to information resources in an online environment.
  • Understands issues and trends in the application of best practice standards and policies for preservation and conversation in our specialist collections.
  • Advocates for best practice handling and storage of special collections materials and trains users and staff in these practices.

  • Knowledge of records management - understands how information is organised and the application of appropriate metadata standards to ensure easy identification and retrieval.
  • Understands concepts, issues and methods related to acquisition, description and disposition of resources.
  • Understands the strength of our collections and the related library and university goals and objectives for collection development.  
  • Understands the life cycle of scholarly publishing.
  • Establishing a budget for resources and advocating for allocating of funds

  • Understands principles of information literacy in the academic environment, including digital literacy, critical thinking and ethical use of data.
  • Has a knowledge of university teaching and learning programmes and goals, allowing them to effectively connect with stakeholders and integrate information literacy programs as appropriate.
  • Understands and continuously investigates how information is effectively sought and used. 
  • Understands the research process including qualitative and quantitative research methods, promotion and exploitation of research outputs. Advises on advanced information skills for research.
  • Knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective reference services which provide access to relevant and reliable information

  • Knowledge of basic content and structure and use an integrated library system.
  • Knowledge of how digital resources are acquired, managed and accessed.
  • Understands the structure and use of Learning Management Systems.
  • Understands the principals of web page design and maintenance.
  • Understands and promotes emerging technologies for the 21st Library Service.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of best practice data management and data governance practices.

  • Participates in professional association which may include holding executive office, serving on committees, etc
  • Regular attendance at conferences, including presenting at same. Contributes to professional journals.

UCD Human Resources

Roebuck Offices, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
T: +353 1 716 4900 | E: hrhelpdesk@ucd.ie | Location Map(opens in a new window)