Library Service Development Lead

RECRUITMENT PACK

Library Service Development Lead

CONTENTS

About Live Borders

A message from our CEO

The Role

Key Responsibilities

Knowledge and Experience

Packages and Benefits

Next Steps

ABOUT LIVE BORDERS

Live Borders is a forward-looking charitable trust at the heart of the
Scottish Borders, delivering active, creative, heritage, life-long learning
and community services that make a real difference to people’s lives.

We exist to help communities thrive - physically, creatively and socially.
Every day, our teams support people to be active, curious and
connected, whether that’s through sport and fitness, libraries and
learning, arts and heritage, museums, events or community
programmes.

Since our establishment in 2016, Live Borders has brought together
sport, leisure, culture and learning services into one organisation with a
shared purpose: to improve wellbeing, reduce inequality and strengthen
communities across one of Scotland’s most distinctive regions.

A PLACE-BASED ORGANISATION DELIVERING SOCIAL IMPACT

The Scottish Borders is a unique place - rural, diverse and deeply connected
to its communities. Live Borders reflects that. We deliver services across
towns, villages and rural communities, reaching people of all ages and
backgrounds.

Each year, we support more than a million visits to our sport and leisure
facilities and hundreds of thousands of visits to our cultural venues and
services. But our ambition goes beyond numbers. We want to ensure that
what we offer is relevant, inclusive and responsive to the changing needs of
the communities we serve.

We reinvest every penny we generate back into services and communities,
ensuring public value and social impact sits at the heart of everything we do.

A TIME OF OPPORTUNITY AND CHANGE

Live Borders is on an exciting journey. With new leadership and a clear focus
on impact, we are strengthening how we engage with communities, partners
and stakeholders, and how we tell our story.

This is a place for people who want to make a difference - who are motivated
by purpose, but also excited by change, improvement and innovation.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Thank you for your interest in joining Live Borders.

Live Borders plays a vital role in the life of the Scottish Borders. Every day,
our teams support people to be active, creative, curious and connected,
through active living, creativity, culture and heritage, learning and community
services. The impact of this work is felt across our communities, and it matters
deeply.

We are a values-led organisation with a strong sense of purpose, and we are
also one that is evolving, responding to the changing needs of our
communities, the challenges facing the public and third sectors, and the
opportunities ahead of us. This is a moment to be ambitious, thoughtful and
bold about how we deliver our services and how we engage with the people
we serve.

Everyone who works at Live Borders plays a part in our success. We are
looking for people who care about people and place, who bring ideas,
enthusiasm and commitment, and who want to do work that makes a positive
difference. Whether your role is frontline, operational, specialist or strategic,
you will be supported to contribute, grow and do your best work.

At Live Borders, we value openness, inclusion and teamwork. We believe that
empowered people deliver the best services, and we are committed to
creating an environment where our teams can grow, develop and do their best
work.

If you are motivated by purpose, excited by change and keen to be part of an
organisation rooted in community and impact, I encourage you to consider
joining us.

I look forward to welcoming you to Live Borders.

Catriona McAllister
Chief Executive
Live Borders

THE ROLE

Hours:

37 hours per week / Permanent

Location:

Eddleston/Peebles (Relocation package may be

available to the successful candidate, if required)

Salary:

Grade 9 £19.17 - £20.74

(£36,976.19 - £40,006.71)

Job Description

Responsible for leading the successful delivery and
development of library and information services/resources
managed and provided by Live Borders. Also to provide advice
and support for library service delivery, training and
development provided by Library Contact Centres and other co-
located sites.

Aligned with the Live Borders’ Strategy, drives footfall in both
physical book borrowing and engagement with online/digital
and e-resources- ensuring that service delivery meets strategic,
quality standards and operational objectives.

Supports the Museums, Galleries, Archives & Libraries
Manager to develop and deliver services, stock development,
mobile library service, learning activities and engagement
through projects and social media across the Scottish Borders
region.

Act as co-ordination lead and nominated manager responsible
for BOOKBUG safeguarding compliance, for all Live Borders
BOOKBUG activities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Service Delivery

Develop, maintain, and deliver an annual business plan for
all the library sites including St Mary’s Mill Libraries HQ,
Library Contact Centres, co-located sites and mobile library
van services.
Accountable for targets and delivery of KPI outcomes-
including sector specific data returns for all libraries, library
mobile service, digital/E-resources, BOOKBUG and annual
programmes of engagement & learning activities.
Ensure that through documented service standards,
libraries deliver an exceptional customer journey and
customer service experience, demonstrating continuous
improvement.
Ensure that all staff develop and maintain an excellent
understanding of key customers and delivering customer
excellence in all aspects of service provision, bookings and
access activities.
Liaise with the Digital Services Officer and team on
developing book stock and digital/E-resources through
focused purchasing plans. Support the team to develop
product knowledge, social media and procurement skills,
for efficient stock purchasing and promotion to customers.
Upskill all staff to be confident in use of ICT systems
including use of Library Management Systems in co-
located sites, in order to meet the needs of a diverse
audience base, and to drive membership development,
community focus and growth through promoting after-
school/well-being activities, family learning, talks and
literary events.
Manage, monitor and report on library service budgets and
progress in investment, grants/funding applications. Ensure
agreed performance targets are achieved and new income
revenue sources pursued.

People Management

Role Specific Responsibilities

Ensure all library sites including Library Contact centres,
Mobile service and Co-located sites maximise their income
through programming to increase footfall, plus donations,
sales of photocopies/printing and income-generating
events, with the support of the Museums, Galleries,
Archives & Libraries Manager and other
Marketing/Fundraising colleagues.

Undertake all line management responsibilities to ensure
that libraries staff are appropriately trained, supported and
developed to deliver both an excellent level of customer
service and deliver agreed performance/strategic targets.
Ensure the organisational structure and resourcing of all
the library sites/Mobile vans is fit for purpose and meets
sector professional standards/SLIC recommendations on
good practice.
Ensure that staff adhere to HR policies and procedures for
the recruitment, development and management of staff.

Ensure that staff follow organisational procedures and
practice in relation to communicating with their teams,
Library Contact Centre SBC staff/managers and co-located
partner organisations.
Ensure that staff adhere to all Health & Safety procedures,
risk assessments, licencing & vehicle operator
requirements and all other operational safety check
guidelines. Monitor all H&S, safeguarding, licencing and
compliance requirements (including audits) and ensure
recommendations are implemented and incidents are
reported on within agreed timescales.
Provide and present reports, digital services data analysis,
book stock and E-resource procurement plans as well as
general professional advice on good practice to the
Museums, Galleries, Archives & Libraries Manager, the
Head of Cultural Services, senior management and to
Board, as required.
Support the Museums, Galleries, Archives & Libraries
Manager in developing services at Peebles Chambers
Institution colocated library/museum and participate as
directed in site meetings with SBC architects & design
team and partner tenants.

Provide advice, monitor staff workplans and report on
major project development activities including outreach and
mobile service workarounds: (remit will include sharing
supervision of the co-located Peebles Museum & Library’s
Information & Engagement Assistants and wider staff team,
with Live Borders’ Exhibition & Access lead colleague,
during phased refurbishment works).
Provide lead co-ordinator role for compliance with
providing BOOKBUG activities within Live Borders-
including maintaining own PVG status and liaising with
BOOKBUG lead officer colleague in Scottish Borders
Council Education Department. Attend all BOOKBUG
cpd/training activities and meetings, as Live Borders’
BOOKBUG lead officer and ensure all our library
BOOKBUG assistants are recruited, fully trained and PVG
compliant for safeguarding purposes.

Undertake any other reasonable duties which may be requested by Live Borders

Other details:

Full driving licence

Requirement to work out of hours, evenings or weekends – occasionally. The service
operates evening opening, events, occasional evening meetings with stakeholders
and several libraries are open over weekends- therefore you should be prepared to
address any emergency situations should they arise.

Requirement for PVG/Disclosure check – YES, PVG is a mandatory compliance
requirement for BOOKBUG co-ordination.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION
Essential

SCQF Level 9 or above in Library
Management or equivalent Information
Management qualification or
willingness to obtain suitable
professional qualification through
distance learning)

Assessed  Desirable

Application  Evidence of CPD in team and

library service or section
management

Assessed

Application/
Interview

Full driving license

Application

EXPERIENCE

Essential

Assessed  Desirable

3 years experience managing a library
facility or library information service
section

Application
/ Interview

Experience in managing ICT
resources and projects.

Assessed

Interview

People Management and staff
coaching/development experience

Application
/ Interview

Experience of effectively managing
budgets and performance indicators

Application
/ Interview

Strong financial management
skills

Interview

Experience of working in collaboration
to deliver key outcomes

Application
/ Interview

Proven ability to effectively develop
strong internal and external
partnerships to deliver business
objectives

Application
/ Interview

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential

Assessed  Desirable

Assessed

Strong leadership skills

Interview

Excellent communication skills (written
and verbal) at all levels

Interview  High level of self confidence

Interview

Strong people management skills

Interview

Excellent ICT skills

Application
/ Interview

First class report writing

Application

Excellent presentation and public
speaking skills

Interview

Organisational proficiency

Strong Delegation skills

Application
/ Interview

Application
/ Interview

Credible and confident Coaching skills  Application
/ Interview

PVG/Disclosure (essential requirement
for BOOKBUG activities safeguarding
compliance)

Application
/ Interview

KEY

App – Application;

Int – Interview;

Ref – Reference;

Test – Test

OTHER DETAILS

•  Undertake any other reasonable duties which may be requested by Live

Borders

•  Requirement to work out with normal hours (evenings/weekends):

Occasional, by arrangement

•  Full UK Driving Licence and access to vehicle essential.
•  Live Borders offers a flexible working environment, with a hybrid

approach.

PACKAGES & BENEFITS

Pension: Starts with a 5% company contribution into an Aviva scheme, increased to
10% after 2 years service. After 5 years service, you can join the Local Government
Pension Scheme (current company contribution is 17%)

Holidays: Starts at 30 days of annual leave plus 4 public holidays (for Christmas and
New Year). Increases with service up to a maximum of 35 days after 6 years’ service.

Free membership at our Gyms & Swimming Pools

Free entry to our Attractions (e.g. The Great Tapestry of Scotland, The Jim Clark
Motorsport Museum)

Death in Service benefit of 3 times salary

ASVA membership: We are a corporate member which means staff can get free access
to other member attractions, including Edinburgh Zoo and Historic Scotland sites.

Cyclescheme: Saves the employee tax and NI contributions on the purchase of a new
bike and accessories

Help@Hand: Employee assistance programme which includes a variety of services
including a 24 Hour advice and information line with support including -

•  Counselling and legal information

•  Financial Support

•  Remote GPs: where employees can arrange a call back from a practising UK GP

24/7

•  Savings and discounts - access savings and rewards across a variety of big

brands

NEXT STEPS

If you would like more information or an informal chat about the role, please
contact Fiona Colton fcolton@liveborders1.org.uk

If you would like to apply for this post, head to
https://liveborders.bamboohr.com/careers

Hours:

37 hours per week / Permanent

Location:

Eddleston/Peebles (Relocation package may be

available to the successful candidate, if required)

Salary:

Grade 9 £19.17 - £20.74

(£36,976.19 - £40,006.71)

Closing Date:

Monday 13th April 2026

Interviews Scheduled for:

Monday 21st April 2026

The selection process can include different forms of
assessment along with a formal interview. You will be advised
of this if your application is successful.

If you have a disability and need assistance in completing your
application form, please contact our people team
recruitment@liveborders.org.uk  to discuss your needs.

We look forward to receiving your completed application.