Subject Librarian

at  Massey University

Job Description: Subject Librarian
Position Purpose: To contribute to the success of staff and students by providing access to
quality information services which support learning, teaching, and research
and contribute to the smooth operation of the library.
Department: Library
Location: Auckland / Manawatū / Wellington
Reports to: Information and Research Services Manager/Campus Librarian
Responsible for: Nil
Delegations: Nil
Job Title: Subject Librarian
Key relationships: Internal
Close working relationship with colleagues at this and other campus libraries
Close working relationship with academic staff, students, and researchers in
designated disciplines
Centre for Education Transformation; Research Operations; Graduate
Research School; University Copyright Officer
External
Other tertiary libraries; visitors and Alumni
Massey University: We are a world-leading university in many academic disciplines and fields of
research. Our point of difference is research that is connected to community
and industry. Our researchers are developing expertise and skills to advance
human knowledge and understanding. Working together across disciplines
and locations, we solve national and global problems through fundamental,
applied and interdisciplinary research, while culturally and artistically
enriching our world.
We are deeply committed to being a Te Tiriti-led university, demonstrating
authentic leadership in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand as we uphold
Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the founding document of our nation, and its principles
through our practice. We embrace this not just as an obligation but as a real
opportunity for the nation and its people.
Our educators are preparing a new generation of global leaders. Our
students are diverse and are attracted to Massey because they want to
achieve their personal goals or make their mark in the world. They
experience world-class learning that recognises their intellectual and cultural
strengths, expands their horizons and prepares them to contribute to a
1
rapidly transforming world with skills, critical and creative thinking and
leadership.
We will be renowned for our passion and caring attitude. All Massey
campuses will be innovation ecosystems, acting as magnets for smart
enterprises. Wherever we are, we will operate in partnerships founded on
respect, trust and mutual benefit. Massey is not only defined by what we do,
but by how we do it.
About this area: Massey University Library is a trusted partner in research, teaching and
learning. The Library provides outstanding service when and where the
customer needs it, spaces to connect and learn, and access to high quality
scholarly resources. Massey University Library staff are expected to commit
to and support the Library’s vision, mission and values available here Values,
strategic direction and publications - Massey University
Massey core capabilities

At Massey we are Tiriti-led, upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles through our practice, we:

• Demonstrate awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand

society.

• Understand the relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in relation to the work of the University and

the people we serve.

• Embracing Te Reo in relevant and practical ways in our workplace interactions and engagement

with external stakeholders, giving expression to Tikanga Māori and protocols that
demonstrates that we respect and value Māori conventions in appropriate settings.

At Massey we work together with mutual respect and caring. we:

• Act with integrity and trustworthiness and give credit to others for the work they do.
• Work cooperatively and inter-dependently to foster and promote the One University approach.
• Share knowledge and communicate professionally with courtesy and mutual respect.
• Are ethical in all transactions, working within the parameters of our policies and procedures.
• Are direct, truthful and maintain confidentiality.
• Seek to understand and appreciate our differences.
• Keep ourselves and others safe; work together to embrace with the University’s health, safety

and wellbeing policies, procedures and programmes; display commitment by actively
supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives: and by actively engaging in health and safety
improvement opportunities.

At Massey we are future-focused, results- oriented and strive for excellence. we:

• Take ownership and responsibility for delivering results to support achievement of University

objectives.
 Provide the best quality services to our customers (internal and external) ensuring our
students/ stakeholders are at the heart of everything we do.
 Deliver or support world-class research, teaching and learning and citizenship.
 Take personal responsibility for our performance, take pride in doing our job well, and commit
to ongoing personal and professional development.
 Are motivated and create a positive working environment where our values are reinforced.
2

Anticipate and respond with agility and resilience to the changing needs of the University and
the communities we serve.
 Seek ways to improve our services to deliver in an efficient and effective way.
 Embrace technology and apply this innovatively to better meet the needs of those we serve.
 Challenge ourselves to reach our potential and help bring out the best in others.
 Understand how what we do contributes to the objectives of the University.
Accountabilities
Information  Provide an information service across a range of channels
Service and  Provide general library orientation and advice, including generic
Information information skills classes
Literacy  Collaborate with academic and professional staff to identify and provide
course-specific information skills training for students
 Provide instruction and guidance on bibliographic management
 Develop and maintain designated online learning materials
 Contribute to the development of library guides, publicity, and
communications with clients
 Maintain subject guides and library webpages
Research  Raise awareness and provide support and guidance to academic staff
Support and postgraduate students involved in research
 Provide instruction, support and guidance on research related issues
and tools including:
o Finding and managing research literature
o Publishing and sharing research
o Research data management
o Researcher profiles
o Publication impact measurement
 Research consultations and workshops (individual and group, face to
face and online)
Outreach and  Develop and maintain positive working relationships with academic
Promotion staff
 Participate in meetings and activities of a designated College and other
relevant University activities/presentations as appropriate
 Promotion and marketing of library services and collections
Collection  Participate in the development and management of the library’s
Development collections, particularly reviews and deselection, in consultation with
academic staff where appropriate
 Write impact statements for proposed papers and programmes, and
qualification reviews
Teamwork and  Maintain knowledge of current developments and issues in information
Professional service provision, library and educational technologies and resources,
Development the library profession and tertiary education sector
 Contribute proactively as a member of the library team by contributing
to projects, showing initiative, sharing key tasks, sharing knowledge and
expertise
 Maintain regular communications with colleagues at other Massey
libraries
3

Build relationships and work collaboratively with academic and
professional staff
 Look for ways to improve and develop services using creativity and
innovation, including being involved in UX (user experience) initiatives
as appropriate
 Maintain awareness of and participate in wider Massey activities and
professional development opportunities
 Contribute to the development of a Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led library and
university
Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications: A degree and professional library qualification are essential
Experience:  Previous professional library experience in a tertiary library is
preferred
Capabilities - Behavioural
Communication  Develops a clear, complete understanding of needs and
problems through careful listening, probing, reflecting, and
Essential summarising.
 Leads discussions in a respectful manner, that are sincere and
professional.
 Delivers written and oral communications that engage audience
participants, respond to their questions and concerns, and
produce specific outcomes and impact.
 Communicates in a timely manner using the appropriate style
and method.
 Able to address broad audiences and stakeholder groups,
working with communication plans and a mix of communication
methods.
 Able to present information clearly, concisely, and
logically. Varies content, style, and form to suit the subject.
Continuous Transformation  Implements new systems, procedures and tools efficiently when
changes occur in the work environment.
Essential  Works with agility, adjusting current working processes or
adopting new approaches in response to changes in the
organisation environment.
 Seeks challenging opportunities or assignments to grow and
develop one’s own knowledge, skills and abilities.
 Communicates and analyses assumptions about a particular
issue with colleagues to gain new perspectives or more effective
solutions.
Delivering Results  Maintains focus on critical work and expectations.
 Able to track and complete agreed work in planned timeframes.
Essential  Takes responsibility for escalating issues that impact on planned
work and outcomes.
 Supports self during change by remaining flexible, focusing on
the positives, and proactively seeking out
opportunities to get involved
4
Service Centric  Resolves complex stakeholder complaints or problems.
 Contributes to building a culture of service excellence within
Essential team, teaching others as needed.
 Anticipates stakeholder’s/ customers’ needs and satisfies them
proactively.
 Recovers from a service failure in a way that enhances
stakeholder’s/customer’s esteem of the organisation.
 Engages and collaborates with users to provide accessible, fit for
purpose solutions and adjusts focus or approach when required
to respond to changing user needs.
Working Together  Establishes and maintains productive working relationships with
key stakeholders internally and externally.
Essential  Contributes as a member with multiple teams that span
function, issue, and location.
 Establishes and maintains credibility and appropriate
confidentiality with stakeholders.
 Proactively identifies and addresses potential issues with
stakeholders.
 Leverages partnerships to improve the performance of
programme or portfolios and works to resolves conflict and
other obstacles to team performance.
 Able to coach and influence internal and external stakeholders,
building constructive working relationships.
Capabilities - Technical
Customer Service Management  Focuses on providing a value-added service for stakeholders.
 Conducts and acts on reviews of open service requests.
Essential  Identifies and resolves gaps in customer expectations versus
actual service levels.
 Verifies stakeholder satisfaction and keeps customers informed.
 Creates comprehensive notes, updating systems with query
details to enable faster problem solving.
Digital and Library ICT  Knowledge of structure and purpose of library management
systems
Essential  Digitally literate and understands current and future
technologies in an academic library setting, particularly those
supporting teaching, learning and research
 Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office applications and
SharePoint
Priority Setting  Demonstrates an expectation that there will be ongoing shifts in
demands and priorities.
Essential  Clarifies and handles multiple concurrent and diverse activities
 Addresses potential conflicts that impact current delivery
commitments.
 Works with or leads others to re-prioritise work and reschedule
commitments as necessary.
 Responds to shifting priorities while maintaining progress of
regularly scheduled work.
Health and safety
 Maintains a healthy and safe working environment for the team.
Essential  Maintains awareness of the University’s health and safetyrequirements.
5

Understands and can articulate the ethical, legal and policy
issues relevant to information access, storage and use in the
Information and Library Environment academic sector
 Understands and can articulate the importance of Te Tiriti of
Essential Waitangi in the context of access to and guardianship of
information
 Can discuss future directions in the information landscape and
how future trends are impacting on the profession
 Understands and can articulate legal issues relating to
information and the academic environment (e.g. Copyright and
licence agreements)
 Advocates for Open Access with an in depth understanding of
the implications
Scholarly Communication and Research  Provides detailed publication and profile metrics support with
excellent current awareness of developments in scholarly profile
Essential management
 Provides detailed guidance on publishing choices, including
copyright, author rights, predatory publishers
 Creates, provides and delivers library-related research
assistance in a range of formats and modes
 Skilled at using active listening and questioning to identify and
understand the client’s information need and when that need
Information Literacy and reference has been satisfied
skills  Explains different discovery tools and makes
decisions/recommendations about search strategies and tools
Essential that are relevant to client’s need has been satisfied
 Deep understanding of the information landscape and how
search tools (both proprietary and open) work, in terms of
evaluation of sources and search results
 Understands and can articulate the ethical use of information,
including citing and acknowledging sources
 Creates, provides and delivers information literacy instruction in
a range of formats and modes (e.g. self-help guidance,
asynchronous online, synchronous online and in person)
Pre-employment checks
Essential  Requirement to pass a Qualifications Validation Check.

Please refer the Job description for details