At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and enhance the Royal Kennel Club Library, ensuring seamless access to unique collections.
- Company: Join a prestigious organisation dedicated to culture and heritage in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25-30 days annual leave, enhanced pay, and lifestyle discounts.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for professional development and free access to library resources.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on research and user engagement with a significant special collection.
- Qualifications: Experience in cataloguing physical and digital media, with strong library systems knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: London, On-site (21 hours per week)
Team: Culture & Heritage
Reports to: Senior Manager - Culture & Heritage
Close Date: 1 May 2026
We’re looking for an experienced and detail‑driven Library professional to take a central role in the management and development of the Royal Kennel Club Library. This position is responsible for the administration, maintenance, and ongoing enhancement of the Library Management System and discovery tools, ensuring seamless access to a unique specialist collection for both in‑person and remote users. Through high‑quality cataloguing and effective collection management, you’ll help shape a well‑organised, highly discoverable library that actively supports research, learning, and scholarship. Your work will directly contribute to advancing knowledge within this specialist field and enhancing how users engage with and explore the collections.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Catalogue all Royal Kennel Club library materials, across physical and digital formats, including monographs and serials.
- Ensure records are accurate, comprehensive, and compliant with recognised cataloguing and metadata standards.
- Review and enhance existing catalogue records to improve consistency, quality, and discoverability.
- Take primary operational responsibility for the Library Management System, including configuration, administration, and development.
- Maintain and update cataloguing procedures and documentation.
- Support frontline library services, including service desk duties when required.
What You’ll Bring
- Proven experience cataloguing both physical and digital media, including serials.
- Experience working in a single‑subject or special collections library.
- Strong expertise in library systems, cataloguing, and metadata standards.
- A collaborative, detail‑focused approach with a commitment to excellent user access.
Why Join Us?
You’ll have the opportunity to work with a unique and nationally significant special collection, making a real and tangible impact on research and access within a specialist field. As part of a collaborative and highly knowledgeable library team, you’ll play a key role in shaping the future development of library systems and discovery tools, helping to improve how users engage with and explore the collection.
25 days annual leave, increasing up to 30 days, in addition to statutory holidays. Staff may also receive additional days for any approved business closure days over the festive period in December, Option to buy up to five days of annual leave per year. Employer pension contributions double the percentage of your plan earnings, up to 8%. Life assurance equivalent to three times your basic salary (two times your basic salary for non-pension scheme members). Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay. Lifestyle discounts via our EAP and healthcare cashback programme. Discounts on Royal Kennel Club products and services. 4X Complimentary staff tickets to Crufts and Discover Dogs. Healthcare cashback programme with a fixed contribution paid for by the Royal Kennel Club. Free eye tests with a voucher towards the cost of your spectacles. Financial support for professional and vocational qualifications, with five days' study leave provided. Free access to The Royal Kennel Club Library and Art Gallery.
Assistant Librarian employer: The Royal Kennel Club
Contact Detail:
The Royal Kennel Club Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Librarian
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the library and cultural heritage sectors. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your cataloguing work and any projects you've been involved in. This will give potential employers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table, especially when it comes to managing library systems.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Before any interviews, do some mock sessions with friends or family. Focus on articulating your experience with library systems and your approach to enhancing user access. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll shine during the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Make sure to tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Assistant Librarian at the Royal Kennel Club Library.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Librarian
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Assistant Librarian role. Highlight your cataloguing experience and any work with library systems to show us you’re the right fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about library management and how your background aligns with our mission at the Royal Kennel Club Library.
Showcase Your Attention to Detail: Since this role requires a detail-focused approach, make sure your application is free from typos and errors. A polished application shows us you care about quality and accuracy!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Royal Kennel Club
✨Know Your Cataloguing Standards
Make sure you brush up on the cataloguing and metadata standards relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with the specific requirements for both physical and digital media, as this will show your expertise and attention to detail during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in cataloguing and managing library systems. Have specific examples ready that highlight your skills in enhancing catalogue records and improving discoverability, as this will demonstrate your capability to contribute effectively to the Royal Kennel Club Library.
✨Understand the Library Management System
Research the Library Management System used by the organisation. If possible, find out about its configuration and administration features. Being able to discuss how you would take operational responsibility for it will impress the interviewers and show your proactive approach.
✨Engage with the Collection
Express your enthusiasm for the unique collections at the Royal Kennel Club Library. Think about how you can enhance user engagement and access to these materials. Showing genuine interest in the collection will resonate well with the interviewers and reflect your commitment to the role.