Library Assistant

Job Title: Library Assistant
Starting Salary: £24,404 with the opportunity to progress to £24,790 per annum (pro rata for part-time)
Hours: up to 37 hours per week
Location: Hertfordshire
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Resources

About the team

Do you want to make a difference in the community and help people to enrich their lives, whilst progressing in a whole new career? Then apply for a job with Hertfordshire Libraries. We have a number of Library Assistant roles in libraries across Hertfordshire. One of those roles could be for you!

Hertfordshire's libraries are more than collections of books. They are hubs for community activities, places to access digital technology, and gateways to reading, information and wellbeing. Our service points include small village libraries, town and city libraries, and performing arts and prison libraries. Hertfordshire Libraries exists to help people to live better lives for longer. All of which means today's Library Assistants need to be passionate about proactively helping people of all ages and from all backgrounds.

About the role

Library Assistant roles offer successful applicants the opportunity to get involved in a hugely varied range of activities.

• You will be actively promoting and supporting the use of all of our library resources and helping customers to find the information that they need.
• You will help to deliver a programme of library activities and events, as well as supporting the Library Manager in all aspects of the day to day running of the library.
• In some libraries you will be involved in helping us to deliver services that are unique to that service point. This may include, for example, helping people to complete their UK visa applications for the right to stay in this country or assisting people to use our CreatorSpace resources, including 3D printers and virtual reality devices. In our prison library you will be helping prisoners to develop their reading skills and to access education opportunities.
• All of our Library Assistant roles help to make a positive difference to people's lives.

About you

We look for people who are friendly, confident, and outgoing. Who will be a reliable and flexible team player who is willing to engage with the full range of services, and events that libraries offer.

Essential:

• Experience in delivering a high standard of Customer Service to members of the public.
• Strong communication skills
• Demonstrable time management skills in organising and prioritising.
• Competent ICT skills, including Microsoft Office, Internet and other computer-based resources.
• Evidence of working collaboratively with a team to achieve aims and objectives

Desirable:

• Experience of meeting KPIs and other targets set by Team Leads
• Skill or experience in promoting events and services.
• Evidence of, or experience in, problem solving
• Ability to support members of the public with queries and use of IcT.
• Knowledge of Library Services.

Stevenage Library (18.5 hours) SG1

Stevenage is a busy library with a large friendly team providing services, activities, and events to a diverse community. Every day is different, and there will be plenty of opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge.

This is a fixed term post contract until 30th September 2025

This job role is within the , level job profile. Please locate this via:

Job profiles - Community services

Take a look at the video clips below to hear a Library Assistant talking about why she loves her job working in libraries:

What is it like working in the library:

https://youtu.be/flsoUF2r-Fk

Working with the Public:

https://youtu.be/Dw5yYsZ_V8k

Variety of opportunities

https://youtu.be/RcK6XcPqEm0

For an informal discussion and more information please contact the Libraries Customer Service Centre on 03001234049.

Closing Date: This is an ongoing advert and you may be required to start work before the closing date specified.

Interview Date: Please note interviews will be arranged as and when applications are received.

Vacancies are being progressed regularly which may mean that a vacancy at a particular library may be filled before a candidate is put forward, however there are ongoing vacancies.

Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Secondment
This position is open to secondments. If you work for HCC or any other Local Authority and would like to be considered as a Secondment contract, please ensure you complete the Secondment Form as part of your application. If you do not, your application will be considered as a Fixed Term Contract only.

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.

Why Hertfordshire: Watch our 'Why Hertfordshire' video. Our staff use their own words to tell their story and share their experiences of what it is like working here. Take your next step in your career.