Staff Development Weekly Update

ALN Staff Development Update #73 – 23 July 2025

This weekly update is intended to keep you up to date on ALN’s staff development programme; to highlight interesting initiatives being undertaken by ALN or its members; and to promote job opportunities in our member libraries. If you have any queries or any content you’d like to include, please get in touch at: academiclibrariesnorth@sconul.ac.uk

Events

Thank you to everyone who contributed, hosted or attended our events in 2024/2025. You support means a lot to us.

We’re busy working on the programme for 2025-26 and will be in touch with further details asap. In the meantime, we have a few dates already pencilled in:

ALN Skill Up Series

New series – Skill Up with ALN!
Have you seen that we have introduced a new series this academic year called Skill Up with ALN? These hour long sessions offer an opportunity to learn about different roles and areas of library life and aim to demystify areas of the library service. So far we have had presentations from Tom Vause on Partnerships, Delphine Doucet & Megan Kilvington on Research Support and Louise Smith & Louise Speakman on the role of Academic Librarians. We have an Academic Skills session coming up in July (book here) and are planning to roll the series into 2025/26. We already have some thoughts about topics for next year but if you have any ideas, please do share them with us.

ALN SD Offer Infographic

Do you think you know all that ALN offers to support your staff development? Why not check out our Staff Development Infographic to see the full list of activities. Let us know how you got on. Did you get all of them?

Frontline Forum 2025/26

The Frontline Forum is a pilot online discussion and development space for teams working directly with students and users. The forums are an opportunity to share best practice, engage with other ALN activities and learn about different service models and delivery types offered by different universities. The forum is aimed at staff who work on frontline desks and provide the first line of support to students and other library users.

We have run 4 forum sessions over the 2024-25 academic year, in November, January, March and May. We hope you managed to come along to at least one.

We are hoping to run the Frontline Forums again next academic year – the provisional dates (subject to change) are:

• Tuesday 18 November 2025, 10.00 – 11.30
• Thursday 22 January 2026, 2.00 – 3.30
• Wednesday 25 March 2026,  10.00 – 11.30
• Tuesday 2 June 2026, 2.00 – 3.30

ALN Conference 2025

Sustainable Innovation: moving forward in challenging times

#ALN25 Conference 2025

Our online day took place on Wednesday 18 June 2025 and our in-person day was on Friday 11 July at the Business School, Manchester Metropolitan University.

We had a fantastic day for our in-person day, with wall-to-wall Manchester sunshine and beautifully air-conditioned spaces indoors. Rachel Beckett, Manchester Met’s Director of Library and Cultural Services, provided a great welcome to Manchester and introduced Monica Westin, Associate Director, Content and Discovery (at Manchester Met) whose keynote set the scene for the rest of the day. There were interesting and thought-provoking workshops, short papers and lightning talks throughout the day on a wide-range of topics, including an opportunity to visit Manchester Met’s Poetry Library. We had a great day and hope all delegates did too. We would love to hear what you thought and have circulated a feedback form to all delegates (if you haven’t received it, let us know). You’re in with a chance of winning a £25 voucher of your choice so definitely worth letting us know your views!

If you have any queries about the conference, please contact alnconferenceteam@gmail.com.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Resource

Did you know that ALN has a Mental Health & Wellbeing Advocacy Resource, packed full of useful information, case studies and links to resources? A project team drawn from across ALN has worked together to create the resource to support library work around mental health and wellbeing. The resource consists of explanatory text and links to resources relating to this emerging agenda and case studies contributed by ALN libraries, so that we can learn from each other. We’d love more people to make use of the resource – and, if you have been working in this area, we would love to add your case study to our collection.

ALN EDI Initiatives

EDI Dissertation Research
A colleague at the University of Sheffield is carrying out research for her MA dissertation and looking for people willing to be interviewed about EDI training. She is looking to interview a handful of academic library professionals whose remits and/or interests relate to EDI training, particularly in the context of decolonisation and library liberation. Interviews will be conducted online and recorded, and will take up to (but no more than) an hour each. Attached is the participant information sheet, and if anyone is interested, they can contact Amy directly via email to arrange a time (the interviews will run until mid-late July).

Neurodivergent Library & Information Staff Network

New way to join NLISN network! 
The Neurodivergent Library and Information Staff Network (NLISN) has been running for a while now. It’s aim is to provide peer support for neurodivergent library, archive, and information workers. Joining the NLISN is now slightly more formal – there is an option to join on the new membership site, either for free, or for a small charge to receive a membership pack, both with the option to add a voluntary contribution to support the group’s work. For neurodivergent library and information workers/students, personal free or paid membership gives you a discount to any charged for events the group runs and for the first time, there will be optional sign-up to the JiscMail lists *OR* just the monthly Newsletter, and an optional follow on Bluesky. The group is also trialling a Discord server for discussion. Members will be invited to the AGM, first one, taking place in September, to be announced soon. If you’re an ally, rather than neurodivergent yourself, there is now an *Ally* level of membership for the first time, who will get access to the newsletter, but *not* the discussion spaces.

NLISN neurodivergent library staff survey
The neurodivergent library and information staff network (NLISN) is undertaking a survey to gauge the representation of neurodivergent staff within Higher Education library workplaces. If you are neurodivergent (with official- OR self-diagnosis) could you fill in this survey to help the network chairs find out more? It contains 10 tick-box questions and should take around 10 minutes to complete – (anonymous) results are expected to be available later this year. If you have any questions about this survey, please email admin@nlisn.org or j.fitzpatrick2@lancaster.ac.uk.

SCONUL Initiatives

Directors’ and deputy directors’ groups for neurodivergent
SCONUL has established a new directors group and a new deputy directors group for those in these roles who are neurodivergent. These groups are self organising and self-directed and the aim is to provide a forum to share experiences and approaches as required. As for other SCONUL deputy director groups, this group is open to any members of a library’s leadership team. A mailing list has been set up for each. If you would like to subscribe to either list please do contact SitMui Ng at sitmui.ng@sconul.ac.uk. Membership of the lists is treated as fully confidential.

The modern library – technology-enhanced library spaces
SCONUL has launched a collection of case studies showcasing technology-enabled library spaces across the UK and Ireland. The spaces highlighted are innovative in design and execution, providing access to the latest equipment, hardware and software including green screens, 3D printing, photogrammetry and AR and VR equipment within media labs and makerspaces. The development of these spaces is aligned to the pedagogical mission of the host institutions, providing new approaches to knowledge creation, nurturing creativity, supporting the digital humanities, and fostering the development of digital literacy skills to support studies, research and future employability. The case studies were commissioned by the SCONUL Technology and Markets Group as part of its mission to develop and articulate a shared understanding of the development of library infrastructure with the library community and stakeholders based on member needs. It is hoped that the spaces highlighted will provide inspiration to those within and beyond the library community to consider supporting the development of such spaces to maximise the value that the library can bring to the life of the institution.

Job Opportunities

Customer Services Team Leader
Location: University of Salford
Contract type: Permanent/Full Time
Closing date: Sunday 27 July 2025
Proposed interview date: Thursday 21 August 2025

Are you a confident leader with a passion for customer service? We’re hiring a Customer Services Team Leader to join our frontline Library support team working across physical library spaces and virtual channels. You’ll drive service excellence, coach individual and team performance, and engage and seek out customer feedback and insight to continuously improve and modernise the services we provide. If you’re organised, a great communicator, and thrive in fast-paced environments, this is your chance to make a real impact—no library or higher education experience needed.

Key Responsibilities

As a member of a group of 5 team leaders working across 3 different shift patterns, The role we are recruiting for will predominantly cover the Mon-Fri 9 -5 shift, however, flexibility is required to cover both evening and weekend shifts.

• Effectively manage the day-to-day operations of a busy frontline customer service team in the main University library.
• Be an effective coach for your direct reports and the wider team resulting in development and growth.
• Be a strong communicator accomplished in using a variety of communication methods.
• Have exceptional personal organisational and management skills including the ability to balance multiple priorities.
• Ensure high standards in all aspects of customer services and space management.
• Be confident in dealing with challenging behaviour including but not limited to, inappropriate language, and non-compliance with library policies and procedures

Experience & Engagement Co-ordinator
Salary: £26,338 – £29,959 (FTE)
Contractual hours: 5.5 Permanent, Saturdays (10:00-16:00)
Closing date: Thursday 31 July 2025
Interview date: Thursday 21 August 2025

This is an excellent opportunity to develop and hone your supervisory skills in a part time permanent position as part of a student facing team.

This post is all year around, working on Saturdays (10:00-16:00), supporting our wide customer base and based in Student and Library Services.

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who is able to work in a flexible way in order to both anticipate and respond to customer need and demand. This role will involve using a range of digital tools to support students and the wider University community.

Informal enquiries are welcomed. If you would like to discuss this opportunity in more detail please contact Charlotte Murray, SLS Experience & Engagement Manager, c.murray@tees.ac.uk.

Please be advised that due to the minimum salary thresholds imposed by the UKVI, this post will not qualify for University sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route.

Please note that the University may ask you to participate in a number of selection activities as part of the recruitment process for this vacancy. If you are shortlisted, your interview will take place in person, on campus.

Experience & Engagement Co-ordinator
Salary: £26,338 – £29,959 (FTE)
Contractual hours: 5.5 Permanent, Sundays (10:00-16:00)
Closing date: Thursday 31 July 2025
Interview date: Thursday 21 August 2025

This is an excellent opportunity to develop and hone your supervisory skills in a part time permanent position as part of a student facing team.

This post is all year around, working on Sundays (10:00-16:00), supporting our wide customer base and based in Student and Library Services.

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who is able to work in a flexible way in order to both anticipate and respond to customer need and demand. This role will involve using a range of digital tools to support students and the wider University community.

Informal enquiries are welcomed. If you would like to discuss this opportunity in more detail please contact Charlotte Murray, SLS Experience & Engagement Manager, c.murray@tees.ac.uk.

Please be advised that due to the minimum salary thresholds imposed by the UKVI, this post will not qualify for University sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route.

Please note that the University may ask you to participate in a number of selection activities as part of the recruitment process for this vacancy. If you are shortlisted, your interview will take place in person, on campus.

Experience & Engagement Assistant
Salary: £24,328 – £24,521 (FTE)
Contractual hours: 5.5 Permanent, term-time only
Closing date: Thursday 31 July 2025
Interview date: Wednesday 27 August 2025

Looking to join a customer facing team in a part time role?

The Student and Library Services Team at Teesside University are looking for an enthusiastic and customer focused individual who is able to work flexibly and in an engaging way to support our customers.

The role holder will utilise a range of technology and tools in this role and in order to both anticipate and respond to customer need and demand and will be based in the Library on Middlesbrough Campus.

This is a permanent part time role working Sundays, across an agreed 29 weekends in the academic year from mid September through to end of April (excluding Winter and Summer Vacation periods).

Your working hours will be from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, including a 30-minute lunch break.

Informal enquiries are welcomed. If you would like to discuss this opportunity in more detail please contact Charlotte Murray, SLS Experience & Engagement Manager, c.murray@tees.ac.uk.

Please be advised that due to the minimum salary thresholds imposed by the UKVI, this post will not qualify for University sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route.

Please note that the University may ask you to participate in a number of selection activities as part of the recruitment process for this vacancy. If you are shortlisted, your interview will take place in person, on campus.

Assistant Librarian
Location: Newcastle University
Contract type: Open Ended; Part Time
Salary: £35,116 to £37,174
Closing date: Tuesday 5 August 2025

The Role

This role presents an exciting opportunity to join the Academic Liaison team, based at the Philip Robinson Library. You will support the development of students’ information and digital skills by designing, developing and delivering a wide range of information literacy learning and teaching activities and materials to suit blended methods of delivery.

We are looking for people who have both enthusiasm and experience of delivering engaging information literacy teaching to different users. You will have excellent communication skills and good understanding of the information resources and tools, including reference management systems, for different levels of study. This role provides the opportunity to work with different staff and students and contribute to variety of projects.

This role is offered on a part-time basis (0.5 FTE), with required working pattern of Wednesday and Thursday all day, half day on Friday. If you would like to know more about the role, please contact Rob McEwen-Orr (robyn.orr@newcastle.ac.uk) or Louise Masson (Louise.Masson@newcastle.ac.uk).

Key Accountabilities:

• To design and deliver high-quality and innovative information literacy teaching to students at all levels, using a variety of formats, and to evaluate the impact of this. This will include collaborating with colleagues from our Academic Skills Team on the development and delivery of academic and information literacies embedded teaching and online learning materials, in support of student learning and university education initiatives.
• To develop, create and maintain high-quality teaching materials across a wide range of subjects and levels of study to support the library’s information literacy and academic skills programmes. This will include the development of high-quality online learning resources such as subject guides, videos, online tutorials, and blended learning materials for the university’s virtual learning environment.
• To provide one-to-one support in the use of academic information resources such as specialist databases (e.g. Digimap, SciFinder-n) and information tools (e.g. Endnote).
• To support the Academic Liaison Librarians by acting as a key point of contact for members of Schools and institutes. This will include working in partnership with academic colleagues to ensure that information literacy provision needs of students and representing the service at School meetings.
• To develop and maintain publicity materials, including digital and web ready content, with particular emphasis on relevant services and resources to academic staff and students. This includes planning and organising promotional events.
• To contribute to Library wide and sectional objectives and projects, and Library groups, co-ordinating Liaison support for specific area(s) of library activity, including undertaking relevant user research and evaluation activities.
• To identify and research new and emerging digital resources, platforms and tools and resources. This will include facilitating the Liaison team’s evaluation of their role in future service development.
• To support the Academic Liaison Librarians with collection development related activities.
• To work with the Library’s Education Officers to support the development of Library’s outreach activities; including information literacy activities.
• To coordinate and supervise the work of the Liaison assistants and temporary staff mainly in activities related to information literacy teaching.
• To participate in relevant networks and communities to ensure that work is informed by the latest developments in information literacy, research, academic practice and pedagogical research.
• Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required.

Academic and Library Skills Specialist
Location: University of Hull
Salary: £32,546 to £38,249
Post type: Full Time
Closing date: Tuesday 5 August 2025

At University of Hull, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in University of Hull workplace.

These include people from global majority backgrounds; people who have a declared disability; LGBTQI+ people; and women particularly for our Grade 9 and 10 roles.

The Skills Team within the University Library are responsible for supporting students at all levels and across all faculties to develop the academic, digital and information literacy skills that they need to excel in their studies and research. They cover study, writing, referencing, resource discovery, analysis, presentation and ICT skills through personal appointments, workshops, webinars and online guides.

We are looking for a dynamic and committed Academic and Library Skills Specialist to join the team.

You will be responsible for delivering study and academic skills guidance to students at all levels of study, primarily through the provision of one-to-one (or small group) appointments. With assistance and support you may also carry out some teaching through the delivery of workshops. You will share responsibility for the development and maintenance of the team’s suite of self-help Skills Guides.

To discuss this role informally, please contact Academic Library Services Manager, Laura Giles – l.giles@hull.ac.uk.

Development Manager (ALN)
Location: Home-based
Salary: c£41,500 (pro-rata)
Hours: 0.4FTE (Job Share)
Closing date: Sunday 31 August 2025 (23:59)
Interview date: Wednesday 17 September 2025

Academic Libraries North (ALN) is a consortium of 33 higher education libraries in the north of England and is a subgroup of SCONUL. Through collaborative activities and mutual support, ALN provides opportunities for its members in the exchange of knowledge and experience. ALN was formed in 2021 by the coming together of two successful and dynamic regional consortia, the Northern Collaboration and NoWAL.

Working with the Chair of ALN, the Steering Group and Board members, the role holder will work closely with their job share partner to ensure that ALN operations run smoothly, including the analysis of performance, governance and reporting.

· managing all financial processes, working closely with the ALN Financial Lead and SCONUL

· leading on the annual conference on behalf of ALN, working closely with the Conference Co-Chairs

· assisting with the staff development programme

· regularly communicating with ALN members

· updating and developing the ALN web site

· facilitating, co-ordinating and minuting ALN meetings

· leading on and developing new initiatives

The role holder will be employed by SCONUL (though managed by ALN) and will be home-based, with some travel to member institutions required from time to time. To be successful in the role, you will be competent in ICT skills, a good communicator and creative in your approach.

If you would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Nicky Freeman.