Apprentice Library and Archive Service Assistant
Job Summary
The Service and Team
The Archive and Cornish Studies Service cares for over 1.5 million manuscripts maps photographs books plans audio-visual and electronic records relating to Cornwalls rich history and culture. We are based in Kresen Kernow in Redruth. For further information on the service please visitKresen Kernow A home for Cornwalls archives.
Over 14000 people a year from across Cornwall and from around the world visit the centre to use the collection browse an exhibition or take part in an activity. Thousands more use our website and online catalogue or remote enquiry service. The small team of archivists librarians assistants and specialist staff work together to make the collections and services accessible to all.
The apprenticeship is for a fixed term of 18 months and is funded by the Sounds of the South West a National Heritage Lottery Fund project. Our provider for the apprenticeship is LMP Library Information & Archive Services (LIAS) Apprenticeship - LMP and you will be part of a cohort of three apprentices across the region.
The role
The role will undertake a range of tasks supporting day-to-day services and the Sounds of the South West project. With guidance and hands-on experience you will:
- Provide a friendly professional service responding to user enquiries in person online or by phone.
- Help people to find and use information in digital and physical formats.
- Retrieve and return books and archives safely and in good condition to the shelves and strongrooms.
- Organise and maintain data and digital resources using specialist systems and tools.
- Promote services resources and activities to encourage engagement and usage.
- Support users in developing digital and information skills.
- Apply basic research skills to help answer information requests and direct more complex queries appropriately.
- Follow organisational procedures including data protection confidentiality and ethical use of information.
You will be regularly using Outlook Excel Teams and our collections management systems as well as working in a warehouse type environment.
An interest in working in an archive and gaining experience with archive and library collections is essential.
This role is offered as an apprenticeship so you must be eligible for apprenticeship funding. Your previous qualifications and experience will be considered to ensure the apprenticeship is appropriate for you.
We are looking for a team player who enjoys helping others is organised and open to learning new skills.You dont need to know everything about archives already - but these qualities will help you succeed:
- Good people skills being approachable and able to help a wide range of people and make them feel welcome.
- Confidence asking questions and sharing information helping people find what they need and sometimes writing emails or creating social media content.
- Digital skills using computers and accurately updating online systems and databases.
- Problem-solving mindset thinking on your feet when someone needs help.
- Organised and methodical keeping books records and resources in order sorting documents into date or another order.
- Focused with good attention to detail complete one task at time such as repeatedly renaming digital files or returning items to the correct shelves.
- Awareness of fairness and inclusion making sure everyone can access information and services
- a competitive salary.
- a defined benefit pension scheme based on your career average earnings. This includes the option for extra voluntary contributions
- a generous annual leave entitlement with the potential to purchase additional leave.
- a national award-winning employee health and wellbeing programme
- Employee benefits scheme giving employees access to a wide range of discounts to local and national goods and services
Required Experience:
Junior IC
About Company
Cornwall Council deliver services to more than half a million local people and over five million visitors a year. Working here - Cornwall Council We are happy to talk about flexible working options such as part-time or compressed hours. More examples of our flexible working opportunit ... View more