Principal Librarian

REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants should be in possession of a National Diploma in Library Science/ Information Science or equivalent qualification at NQF level 6 as recognised by SAQA. A minimum of two 2 years' experience in Library Services. A valid drivers' license will serve as an added advantage.
• Knowledge and skills: Knowledge of Library and Information Science matters, Library prescripts, legislation, procedures, processes and library services. knowledge of free legal sites to access information, knowledge of online databases LexisNexis, Juta stats, Westlaw, Sabinet and SAFLII; understanding of information management and research skills to retrieve information; Basic understanding the Constitution act, 1996, Promotion of access to Information Act, 2 of 2000 and Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013. Batho Pele Principles, skilled in communication, planning and organising, computer literacy Microsoft Office. customer services, supervisory skills, report writing, interpersonal relations, research and analytical skills.

DUTIES

• Monitor the collection, cataloguing and publications of Library materials within the court, identify and select the relevant material to be procured at court Library in accordance with library policies and guidelines. Assess the relevance and currency of the library collection and make recommendations for additions, removals, or updates, organise and catalogue legal materials to ensure easy retrieval by legal professionals.
• Apply appropriate classification systems and metadata to enhance the accessibility of the collection and barcoding of Library material, monitor the usage of library information resources both hard copies and soft copies online resources, monitor serial publications, receiving of amendments and updating of loose-leaf subscriptions and binders, facilitate the submission of standing orders for the court, monitor the rendering of library and Information Services to Judiciary, monitor circulation desk services and helpdesk roster, implement digital tools and technologies to enhance information retrieval processes, keep update on emerging technologies relevant to legal research and library management and integrate into the library's operations, monitor the digital resources, including electronic databases, legal research tools and online subscriptions.
• Facilitate interlibrary loans to ensure access to materials not available within the court's own collection, monitor the circulation handed down judgments both pdf and word version to Publishers and external stakeholders on request, ensure the circulation of finalised Judgments of interest to other Judges, provide reference assistance and library awareness within the court, provide reference assistance to judges, lawyers, court staff and the public. provide support with legal research, citation verification and locating relevant legal precedents.
• Conduct training sessions for legal professionals on effective legal research methods and the use of legal databases, keep legal professionals informed about recent developments in the law through newsletters, alerts and other current awareness services.
• Advocate for the importance of the library within the court system and promote awareness of its resources and services, coordinate and monitor effective Library Administration, coordinate Library Services staff meetings, provide support in the coordination of Library Committee meetings, provide support in the facilitation of online trainings by Juta, LexisNexis and Sabinet for Judges, Judges Secretaries, Registrars and Law Researchers.
• Monitor quarterly Budget allocations for the Library, coordinate and monitor the procurement process with Supply Chain Management for new purchases, monitor internal asset verification schedule and assets register, coordinate and monitor the disposal of approved Library publications for donations, supervise and develop staff, ensure general supervision of employees, allocate duties and perform quality control on the work delivered by officials, manage leave of staff, advise and lead supervisees with regard to all aspects of the work, manage performance, conduct and discipline of employees, ensure that all employees are trained and developed to be able to deliver work of the required standard efficiently and effectively, develop, implement and monitor work systems and processes to ensure efficient and effective functioning, address enquiries, provide advice and guidance on asset allocation and control.