Casual Library Assistant

Medway Council; Gillingham; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking council dedicated to enhancing community wellbeing through library services. As a Casual Library Assistant, you'll engage with diverse library users, helping them discover a love for reading and access vital council services. This role offers flexibility and the chance to make a real impact in the community. With a commitment to environmental sustainability and inclusivity, you'll be part of a team that values innovation and service excellence. Embrace this opportunity to contribute to a vibrant community in a role that is both rewarding and fulfilling.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Comprehensive local government pension scheme

Access to training and development qualifications

Flexible working arrangements

Travel discounts

Car Benefit Scheme

Access to counseling services

Employee discount scheme

Support for childcare costs

Qualifications

• Excellent teamworking and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Adaptable and resilient candidates will thrive in this role.

Responsibilities

• Responding to customer inquiries and managing stock.
• Delivering events for children and adults in the library.

Skills

Teamworking

Interpersonal Skills

Customer Service

Adaptability

Resilience

Job description

Medway Council’s Library and Archives service is recruiting for enthusiastic, outgoing, and customer-focused Casual Library Assistants to work as part of our team, delivering library and council services to Medway residents and visitors across our Libraries and Community Hubs. Over 700,000 people visited Medway Libraries last year to access books, public computers, attend events, and access a wide range of council services.

Our Casual Library Assistants contribute to the day-to-day running of libraries and community hubs. Responsibilities include responding to customer inquiries, delivering events for children and adults, managing stock, levying charges for services, and actively promoting available services within libraries, archives, and the wider council to connect communities, improve wellbeing, and promote equality through learning, literacy, and cultural engagement.

The successful candidates will have excellent teamworking and interpersonal skills, be adaptable, resilient, and dedicated to helping all library users engage with our stock and develop a love of reading. Please note that these are zero-hour contract positions.

In return, we offer:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Comprehensive local government pension scheme
• Access to training and development qualifications
• Flexible working arrangements
• Travel discounts
• Car Benefit Scheme from Tusker
• Access to CAREFIRST advice & counseling services
• Employee discount scheme for retailers
• Support for childcare costs via government schemes. Further details are available at childcarechoices.gov.uk

We are committed to making Medway carbon neutral by 2050. Our action plan aims to address the climate emergency, aligning with our Council Plan to make Medway a place to be proud of, with a main focus on a 'clean and green environment'. All staff can access an additional paid day for volunteering activities supporting climate change initiatives.

About our organisation:

Medway is a unitary authority in Southeast England, comprising towns such as Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, and Rainham, along with rural areas including the Hoo Peninsula. Located in Kent, the area offers green spaces, excellent facilities, and easy access to London via motorway and rail networks.

We provide comprehensive local government services to a population of a quarter of a million, covering education, environment, social care, housing, planning, and more — from frontline services like waste collection to behind-the-scenes operational support.

Joining Medway Council means being part of a team dedicated to transforming residents' lives and community wellbeing through innovative and effective service delivery.

For an informal discussion, please contact Joe Parsons at 01634 337239.

Important Information:

Applicants must demonstrate all essential requirements listed in the job profile.

Equal Opportunities Statement:

Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, or other protected characteristics.

For further details, please refer to the Medway information pack available online or as a download.

Note: If you are not contacted within three weeks after the closing date, you have not been shortlisted. Recruitment correspondence will be sent via email.

Visit mindfulemployer.net for information on how Medway Council supports employees and applicants with mental health issues.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early at any time.