JOB TITLE:

Head of Collections

SALARY:

c. 35,000

LOCATION:

Durham Cathedral Library

ACCOUNTABLE 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
Documentation Officer, Exhibitions Officer,
Attendants and Library Volunteers

KEY 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

Officer,
Gallery

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 Conservation
a. 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 Safety
Under 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 Cathedral
Head of Collections
Person 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 subject
Professional library qualification and substantial experience of
library and / or historic collections work
Membership of a relevant professional association (eg Museums
Association)

E
E
E

Skills/Aptitudes
Ability to use a variety of IT software with confidence
Work to a high degree of accuracy
Excellent organisational skills
Ability to work to exacting deadlines
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Knowledge/Experience

E
E
E
E
E

Knowledge of relevant professional standards

3 years experience of managing departmental staff
Experience of presenting complex reports to Board level
3 years experience managing special library collections
Project management experience
Experience working with non-library collections
Knowledge of library specific database and information
management systems
Experience of cataloguing
Experience of Heritage Lottery Fund application and reporting
processes
Experience of planning, delivering and evaluating major exhibitions
Personal Attributes

E
E
D
E
E
D
D

Able to demonstrate strong leadership skills

E
D
E

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

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.