Librarian - Special Collections (Part Time)

Job Description

We believe everyone deserves a great Glasgow life and that starts with the people who work here.

Glasgow Life is a charity like no other. Our vision is to improve the lives of everyone in our city. To help us achieve that, we are looking for a Librarian to join our Mitchell Library Special Collections team.

Our teams focus on making a real difference through culture and sport in Glasgow. If you’re excited by the idea of being part of that, this could be the job for you.

What you need to know

Who can apply: This vacancy is open to current Glasgow Life colleagues only.

Hours: 17.5 per week.

Contract type: Permanent

Pay details: Grade 6 - £37,541.80 – £43,591.01

The listed salary is for a full-time role. If you’re applying for a part-time or bank job, we will calculate your pay on a pro-rata basis. The hourly rate is £20.57 - £23.89.

Location: At Mitchell Library, North Street, Glasgow, G3 7DN

What you’ll do

As a Librarian, you’ll be a part of an established team, reporting to the Principal Librarian. You’ll play an essential role in managing, developing and making accessible the Library Collections at The Mitchell for the people of Glasgow and its visitors in person and online. Your work will make a visible and lasting difference. This includes the following:

• manage and develop the collections in line with the Collections Management Documentation Policy and Plan across the Special Collections remit through acquisition, rationalisation, inventory and cataloguing, collections care, promotional and engagement activity

• create, manage and develop collections information content to make the library collections at The Mitchell more accessible and searchable online and in the library to all researchers

• develop and deliver a range of quality collections related programmes and activities for all library customers, for repeat visitors, new audiences especially under-represented communities, and city visitors

• work in collaboration with other Mitchell Library teams to support the operational delivery of quality library, information, family and local history services, in a customer-focused environment

• identify and develop internal/external partnerships to deliver strategic and collections objectives and support operational functions at the Mitchell Library

• support library staff in The Mitchell and community libraries in developing collections awareness to improve access to and effective use of the collections and their content

• implement, and review for improvement all applicable service standards to meet agreed collections management and development outcomes to ensure high quality customer care, service delivery and operational performance

• manage delegated budgets, monitor performance targets

• assist and lead on projects and programmes as required, participating in all relevant and required learning and development activity

• progress listing of collections onto collections database system to agreed documentation conventions.

Who you are

We’re looking for someone with the right skills who brings energy to the role. If the following sounds like you, apply today!

These posts are excepted under Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exclusions and Exceptions) (Scotland) Order 2013 (as amended).

Membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme will be essential on taking up appointment. Please note successful candidates for the above position will be required to pay for their PVG Membership/or Scheme Checks.

We’re looking for:

• First Degree or Post Graduate Qualification in Library and Information Science or ACLIP – registered Associate of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (ACLIP), or equivalent professional body
• Relevant experience in collections management and development, and awareness of collections care
• Relevant experience of delivering a collections focused range of library and information services, and ensuring high standards of customer care
• Excellent inter-personal, and written, verbal and digital communication skills
• Ability to take on leadership of programmes and projects, influence colleagues and staff across teams, and work with external partners/co-producers
• Good management and organisational skills including proven ability to initiate and complete collection programmes and projects, create and implement agreed action plans and outcome.
• Flexible approach to work pattern, including evenings and weekends on a shift rotation.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across a range of team contexts, delivering work programmes and services effectively and managing challenges

Download the Person Specification in the Job Attachments section on MyJobScotland. Use this to shape your application and show how your experience aligns with the job.

When selecting candidates for interviews, managers will look for candidates who meet all the ‘essential’ criteria listed in the Person Specification. If there are many candidates, they may also consider desirable skills. So, include those if they apply to you.

If you still have questions about the role, please contact clare.thompson@glasgowlife.org.uk to arrange an informal chat.

What we offer

At Glasgow Life, our work changes lives. As a charity, we bring communities together and support wellbeing through sport, culture, heritage, and learning.

Learn more about Glasgow Life in our 10 Facts video in the Further Information section on MyJobScotland.

We support you to live a great life. Inside and outside of work. Some of our benefits include:

Holiday

When you join, you’ll get 30 days’ holiday. Plus 6.5 public holidays if you’re full-time. This increases to 35 days after 5 years of service.

Fancy a bit more time off? You can buy extra holiday too!

Pension

Join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) – a Defined Benefit scheme that provides you with a secure pension for later life.

Support

Sometimes we all need support and a listening ear. Our free and confidential Employee Assistance Programme can support your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

Discounts

As a colleague, you can enjoy discounts on the things you love, from Glasgow Club memberships to our museum shops and our online store.

Flexibility and development

We are proud of our flexible and inclusive work policies, which help you balance work and life. We also offer support for learning, development and career progression.

Please note that Glasgow Life is an Arm’s Length External Organisation to Glasgow City Council. We are currently completing a Job Evaluation exercise and introducing a new pay and grading structure. This may impact current salaries quoted in job adverts. To learn more, visit - https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/jobevaluation.

What’s next

To get started, complete our short application form. In this, you’ll fill out:

• Work history
• Qualifications/training
• Key questions like “Why are you a good fit for this role?”

Use the Person Specification in the Job Attachments section to guide your answers.

Important Dates:

The closing date for this job is 11.59pm on 25^th October 2026 Interviews are provisionally scheduled for week commencing 2 Nov 2026.

Who We Are

Our Museums service, managed by Glasgow Life on behalf of the community, cares for thousands of years of history. We take care of the city’s museum and library special collections, its archives, and operate award-winning museums, keeping them safe for future generations. We run talks, tours, workshops, and events, so people can explore and enjoy the collections. By connecting people with the city’s stories, our museums continue to enrich the lives of local people and visitors. Read more here - https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums

Diversity and Fair Work at Glasgow Life

We’re working to build a team that reflects the rich diversity of Glasgow’s communities — where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to be their full, authentic selves at work.

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident and Carer Positive employer, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Learn more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/the-small-print/an-inclusive-employer

We’re also committed to Fair Work First principles, including effective voice, opportunity, security, fulfilment and respect for all our staff. Learn more about our approach to Fair Work First here: https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/about-us/fair-work-first

We’re working hard to address underrepresentation in our workforce. We especially welcome applications from people with disabilities and from ethnic minority communities.

Ready to apply?

Once you apply, add noreply@myjobscotland.gov.uk to your safe sender list so you don’t miss important emails.

We’re excited to hear from you. Let’s shape a great Glasgow life — together.

We want everyone to be able to apply. If you need the Application Pack in another format, like Braille, large print, or another language, please call us on 0141 287 1054.

If we need to post it to you, we’ll send it by second-class mail within three working days. Please allow enough time to complete and return your application before the closing date. If you think you might need more time because of accessibility needs, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

There are also a number of Accessibility Tools compatible with the myjobscotland website which may assist you with your application. More information on these can be found at https://myjobscotland.gov.uk/accessibility-statement.

Further Information

For further information about working for us please refer to our website https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/work-with-us