Job Description

Our client, South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) has a 6-month contract opportunity available for a Library Assistant based in Mount Edgecombe, KwaZulu-Natal.The South African Sugarcane Research Institute has been transitioning to a more on-line, digital based library system for the past few years. However, as we set up systems for increased online access, we need to maintain a core level of functionality in the existing library.SASRI has contract work experience opportunity to engage in some administrative and organising activities to manage the existing document-based systems and assist in moving some collections to the online system.Duties and Responsibilities:Decommissioning of library archives:

• Conduct a review of holdings in the archive and in the library to identify material unique to our collection versus what is easily available through external libraries or online databases
• Carefully oversee the discarding of non-essential materials from both the archives and the library in a manner that ensures that no valuable material is lost
• Transfer essential materials from archives to library, allowing reallocation of archive space to other SASRI operations

Stocktaking and correct placement:

• Perform a comprehensive stocktake to confirm our catalogue's accuracy
• Arrange all books correctly according to the Dewey Decimal System, to allow easy access

Support Research Staff:

• Offer guidance to staff on use of existing online databases to conduct literature searchers and acquire articles and papers
• Coordinate access to articles and papers through other libraries where these are not available on the SASRI's online platforms

General Administration and Upkeep:

• Receive and process all new books by classifying, entering databases, and locating them on shelf or dispatching them to requesting department
• Maintain a loan system for issuing library loans and receiving returns
• Maintain the general appearance and organisation of the library
• Support the upkeep and distribution of SASRI publications housed in library stockroom

Support development of new library system:

• Participate in the development of any new online library systems

PLEASE NOTE:

• In order to be effective in this role, SASRI seeks an individual with an interest or experience in library systems. A Library Science qualification will be an advantage. Having a strong attention to detail and excellent organising skills will be a critical part of performing the full range of tasks in this contract
• The work does involve some light lifting and carrying of library material so applicants should take their physical abilities into account when applying

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