Community Services Officer (Libraries)

North Somerset Council; Bath; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 17,000; Part time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team at North Somerset Council as a Library Assistant, providing essential customer service across two branch libraries. Engage with the community in promoting literacy and digital inclusion while supporting a variety of library services and activities designed to enrich lives. This part-time role offers a vibrant work environment with opportunities for personal growth.

Qualifications

• Excellent customer care skills.
• Ability to handle unexpected situations.
• Interest in reading, literacy, and culture.

Responsibilities

• Providing customer access to books and information.
• Leading library activities and events.
• Dealing with customer inquiries and signposting.

Skills

Customer care

IT skills

Digital inclusion support

Tools

Library Management System

Microsoft Office

Job description

Do you thrive on providing excellent customer service? Do you enjoy working with the whole community? Are you passionate about the role of libraries in our vision for “an open, fairer and greener North Somerset”?

This is an exciting opportunity for a confident, well organized and enthusiastic individual to join our busy team of staff and volunteers.

The post is for 21 hours a week: a fixed term role for 12 months.

The hours are worked on a two-week cycle:

Week 1: Tuesday 9-5, Thursday 10-4, Friday 9-5

Week 2: Tuesday 9-5, Thursday 10-4, Friday 9-5, Saturday 9-1

You will be working across 2 branch libraries: Portishead and Pill. After a period of induction, you will be expected to work regular shifts on your own at Pill Library. Although Portishead will be your base, from time to time you will provide district cover so you must be able to reach other North Somerset libraries. You will be ready to deal with the physical demands of the job, including stock handling and floor walking.

You will have excellent customer care skills, including the ability to deal with unexpected and challenging situations. You will be passionate about supporting digital inclusion. Library work experience, although desirable, is not essential.

You will have an interest in reading, literacy and culture and a willingness to promote stock and library services through creative displays and customer interaction.

You will be supporting customer access to books and information, including council services, dealing with customer enquiries, and signposting where necessary. IT and digital skills are essential as you will be using a Library Management System as well as Microsoft Office. You may be troubleshooting yourself and will be helping customers struggling to get on in our digital world.

We have an extensive calendar of activities and events including Rhymetime, Storytime, school visits, author events, library tours, family learning and digital support. You will be leading some of these so you will be expected to deliver to small groups.

Portishead Library is a modern building, staffed from Tuesday to Saturday, with Extended Access, a form of self-service which extends the hours from 8.00am to 8pm 7 days a week. It is a popular and vibrant library with a dedicated and experienced staff team. There is a meeting room available for hire.

Pill Library is a shared site with Pill Children’s Centre, staffed on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturday mornings. Although small, Pill has a thriving event and activity program, including Rhyme time, Lego Club and Code Club.

A detailed job family specification can be found in the application pack. If you haven’t visited a library in a while, we’d encourage you to do so before applying and check out what we have to offer at www.librarieswest.org.uk and www.n-somerset.gov.uk

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.