Ever wanted to work in an institution that is home to one of the world's great collections of cultural treasures and research materials? Spanning thousands of years of human thought and discovery, Cambridge University Libraries and Archives house unique treasures and research materials made up of nearly ten million books, maps, manuscripts, photographs and priceless objects. The role Legal Deposit provides a depth and richness to University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives collections that underpins our status as a national research library.
The Legal Deposit and Periodicals Team are responsible for the intake of the material provided under Legal Deposit. In 2024/25, over 34,000 monographs and over 34,000 serial parts arrived in the department over the year. The efficient intake and accurate triaging of this material to other appropriate locations and teams within University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives is critical to the user experience and the smooth operation of other functions.
Materials Processing is a department which receipts materials purchased for departments across University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives, processing physical items ready for their onward destination. The department also conducts the financial administration around these purchases, such as processing invoices for payment. This role will work across the two departments.
As Library Assistant (Legal Deposit Monographs and Materials Processing) you will:
- Act as first point of triage for intake of Legal Deposit monographs.
- Ensure the materials are directed to the correct teams and other locations in University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives.
- Search for catalogue records to allow for material discovery.
- Where requested, make additional upgrades to catalogue records to reflect local practice.
- Some original cataloguing may be required.
- Process and receipt materials in the system and prepare with barcodes and stamps.
- Raise any problematic items with relevant Team Leader.
- Unpack materials, both monographs and periodicals, received via Legal Deposit, donation and purchased content routes.
- For purchased content ensure invoices are appropriately managed in the Library Management System.
- Prepare materials for ingest into the Library Storage Facility's use warehouse system to pack crates and provide necessary data to facilitate move of material into storage.
The main place of work will be at the University Library, but some activity will be conducted at other Cambridge University Libraries and Archives locations.
What we are looking for:
- Experience of working in an environment which requires the continuous repetition of tasks to a high standard.
- Ability to prioritise work and be consistent in approach.
- Good working knowledge of IT systems and ability to type accurately.
- Good team working skills, someone who supports colleagues.
- Clarity in written and spoken communication.
What we offer:
- Flexible opportunities such as part-time hours, job shares, and staggered hours.
- Generous annual leave allowance of 36 days inclusive of public holidays.
- Exceptional parental leave (including maternity, paternity / co-parent, adoption and shared parental leave).
- Discounts on major retailers.
- Professional development opportunities such as apprenticeships and access to a variety of training courses.
Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University. We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online. For informal enquiries please contact Helen Woolfries (Head of Legal Deposit) at hbw26@cam.ac.uk.
Application closing date: Sunday 19th April 2026.
Provisional interview date: Wednesday 29th April 2026.
For further details please refer to the Further Particulars.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months in the first instance. Please quote reference VE49314 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
