JOB TITLE:

Head of CollectionsSALARY:

c. 35,000

LOCATION:

Durham Cathedral LibraryACCOUNTABLE TO:Nave Canon for all matters pertaining to the Library and other collections and to the Chapter Clerk for personnel and administrative matters.RESPONSIBLE FOR:Assistant Librarian, Imaging Services Officer, Documentation Officer, Exhibitions Officer, Gallery Attendants and Library VolunteersKEY RELATIONSHIPS:The Canon Librarian, Chapter Clerk, Senior Management Team members, Cathedral Archaeologist, Open Treasure Exhibitions Officer, WHS Partners, NADFAS and other Library volunteers, Durham University Library staff; Cathedral Architect.BACKGROUND: Durham Cathedral Library descends from the library of the monastery founded on Lindisfarne by St Aidan in the middle of the 7th century. It combines superb and extensive historic collections going back through the centuries with a working theological library used by theologians at the Cathedral, University and various church educational institutions as well as members of public in the north east. There are two distinct collections: the Sharp and the Chapter. The Sharp library is a lending library of 10,000 titles of current theology in English. The Cathedral administers this collection on behalf of the Lord Crewe Trust. The Chapter Library incorporates the historic collections (a reference collection of historic books, manuscripts, printed music, papers of some Bishops of Durham and early printed books). The modern collection is a lending library of 10,000 printed books with particular strengths in publications on the cathedral itself, classics of Anglican theology and British history. In addition the Cathedral owns non-library collection including items associated with Cuthbert. The Library and historic collections are normally located in the historic claustral buildings but, to facilitate the building works for the Open Treasure project, the Library has recently relocated on a temporary basis to No 5 The College and some of the historic collections are temporarily stored in the Universitys Palace Green Library. Everything will return to the claustral buildings during 2015 where there will be refurbished space for the Library alongside new exhibitions facilities. The Library team will expand in the next 12 months or so as HLF funded positions are created to support the work of the library defined in the Open Treasure action plan.JOB SUMMARY:The post-holder will maintain and develop the Library to serve its mission, care for its collections and the historic non-Library collections, and raise the profile of the Library as a resource for the region. In collaboration with others, the post-holder will play a leading role in the development and delivery of the Open Treasure project and will also plan and deliver a variety of temporary exhibitions alongside the permanent exhibitions. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Historic Collections: Promotion and display of the Collections

a. Ensure best practice in the care of the collections to achieve their proper care and to enable greater awareness, knowledge and understanding of the Cathedrals collections, as part of the Cathedrals life and mission.

b. Oversee the creative development of permanent and temporary exhibitions of material from the historic collections that interpret the Cathedrals heritage and attract growing numbers of visitors.c. Participate in the interpretation strategy for the Cathedral with particular

emphasis given to the interpretation of the Library and non-library collections.

d. Oversee the delivery of the Open Treasure Activity Plan with regard to the Collections and exhibitions elements.

e. Oversee the day to day operations of the Cathedrals exhibitions, including managing and training staff and volunteers, in conjunction with others.

f. Identify opportunities to develop the Cathedrals collections in accordance with the Acquisition and Disposal Policy.g. Collaborate with partners on the World Heritage Site to develop the visitor experience, to increase the number of visitors and length of visits to the WHS.2. Historic Collections: Care and Conservationa. Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of the collections and history of the Cathedral.

b. Catalogue and conserve all historical objects within the terms laid down by the Cathedrals Measure 1990.

i. Maintain the Inventory of all such objects belonging to the Chapter and maintain the list as agreed with the Fabric Advisory Committee (FAC) of objects considered outstanding within the terms of the Measure.

ii. Ensure the security, safe handling and correct environmental conditions for the storage of the collections and advise the Chapter on their proper care and conservation, including priorities for treatment (expert preservation advice is provided by the University Librarys Conservation Department).

iii. Ensure there is a proper system for the cataloguing of the historic collections and oversee its operation.c. Make the inventory available to the Chapter and to bona fide researchers.i. Answer enquiries from researchers to facilitate appropriate access to the collections (specialist assistance for access to some material in the historic collections is available from University Library staff).

ii. Supervise the Search Room and the use of historic materials, producing them as requested by readers and researchers and ensuring their security and care while they are being used.

iii. Manage the imaging services function and the documentation project.

d. Oversee loans to and from other organisations including international requests.

i. Handle all stages of work in relation to requests for loans from the Cathedrals collections, advising the Chapter, FAC and, where appropriate, the Cathedral Fabric Commission for England (CFCE), on such requests.

ii. Ensure compliance with all relevant standards for insurance, proper care and transport, handling and display while on loan.

e. Advise the Chapter on the legal framework, audit, insurance and ethical standards required for best practice collections management and ensure the standards are applied to Cathedral collections.

f. Work with the Cathedral Archaeologist to ensure the care, storage and display of the archaeological collections.

g. In conjunction with the Head of Property, oversee any essential periodic removals and relocations of collections in accordance with best practice principles for care and conservation. In particular, oversee the safe relocation of the Library and historic collections to the claustral buildings on the completion of the Open Treasure building works.3. Outreach

a. Develop the Cathedrals participation in appropriate educational and cultural initiatives, working with colleagues at the Cathedral, the WHS, the County and the Diocese.

b. Develop the Library as an information centre for historical information about the Cathedral to assist staff, volunteers and visitors to understand the Cathedrals heritage.

c. Develop opportunities for opening up, revealing and interpreting the collections.

d. Develop the Librarys publications and merchandising in conjunction with other relevant Cathedral departments.e. Develop programmes to enable access to collections remotely or through outreach.

4. Modern collections

a. Oversee the staff and volunteers to ensure the professional day to day running of reader services including cataloguing of new books and other data entry and alteration, Periodical receipt and binding, book borrowing and return, shelving and assistance to readers.

b. Advise the Chapter on the development and use of the Library within the diocese, training institutions and by Cathedral staff and volunteers.

c. Liaise with other theological libraries in the region to enhance services for readers.d. Provide professional advice to the Chapter on the distinctive and continuing role of the Cathedral Library.e. Oversee and ensure the selection of acquisitions in consultation with Library users and other local theological libraries.

5. General Management and Administration of the Cathedral Library

a. Ensure the Library is adequately staffed during opening hours.b. Motivate, manage and develop the Library staff and Library volunteers.c. Liaise with other Cathedral departments and staff of Durham University Library.d. Co-ordinate and expand the role and work of Library volunteers and their training and deployment in conjunction with the Volunteer Manager.

e. Be accountable for planning and delivering the Library budget in conjunction with Cathedral financial procedures.f. Oversee Cathedral reprographics to include income generation against targets.g. Be accountable for the content and operation of the collections computer systems and databases.h. Attend local, regional and national meetings as required to be able to represent the Cathedral in different forums.

i. Participate in grant application processes and fund raising initiatives in conjunction with the Head of Development.j. Work with the Health and Safety Officer to ensure the Library conforms to Health and Safety requirements and established best practice.

k. Act as Secretary to the Library Advisory Committee.l. Oversee the answering of general enquiries relating to the collections in person, by letter, phone or email.

The main duties and responsibilities of your post are outlined in your job description. This list is not exhaustive and is intended to reflect your main tasks and areas of work. Changes may occur over time and you will be expected to agree any reasonable changes to your job description that are commensurate with your banding and in line with the general nature of your post. You will be consulted about any changes to your job description before these are implemented.

Health and SafetyUnder the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, whilst at work you must take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of any other person who may be affected by your acts or omissions. In addition, you must co-operate with the Cathedral on health and safety and not interfere with or mis-use anything provided for your health, safety and welfare.

Confidentiality

Staff must not pass on to unauthorised persons, any information obtained in the course of their duties without the permission of their Head of Department.

Safeguarding

This post is subject to completion of a confidential self-declaration form.Durham Cathedral is committed to safeguarding. If at any time the post-holder sees or hears anything that could suggest a safeguarding risk or has any other reason to be concerned, it should be reported immediately to the Safeguarding Officer.

Post-holder Signature: ..

Line Manager Signature: .

Date: .Durham CathedralHead of CollectionsPerson Specification

This section outlines the requirements and qualities the post-holder needs in order to fulfil the post. These are divided into essential and desirable criteria. Essential criteria are those that the post-holder absolutely must have in order to do the job, i.e. the job cannot be done without those qualities. Desirable criteria are those qualities that would be either useful, an advantage or preferable to have in order to do the job or those which can be trained to do, i.e. the job can be done without those qualities.

E/D

Education

Educated to degree level in a relevant subjectE

Professional library qualification and substantial experience of library and / or historic collections workE

Membership of a relevant professional association (eg Museums Association)E

Skills/Aptitudes

Ability to use a variety of IT software with confidenceE

Work to a high degree of accuracyE

Excellent organisational skillsE

Ability to work to exacting deadlinesE

Excellent communication and interpersonal skillsE

Knowledge/Experience

Knowledge of relevant professional standardsE

3 years experience of managing departmental staffE

Experience of presenting complex reports to Board levelD

3 years experience managing special library collectionsE

Project management experienceE

Experience working with non-library collectionsD

Knowledge of library specific database and information management systemsD

Experience of cataloguing E

Experience of Heritage Lottery Fund application and reporting processesD

Experience of planning, delivering and evaluating major exhibitionsE

Personal Attributes

Able to demonstrate strong leadership skillsE

Self-motivated and able to work with the minimum of supervisionE

Circumstances

Must be willing to work flexibly on occasion which may include occasional evening or weekend working. Occasional travel may be required, for example, to courier loans or secure acquisitions.