Evening & Weekend Library Supervisor

Corehr; Oxford; On-site; GBP 8,000 - 13,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

An excellent contributory pension

38 days of annual leave

Comprehensive childcare services

Family leave schemes

Discounted bus travel

Season Ticket travel loans

Job summary

The Bodleian Humanities Library at Oxford is seeking a part-time Senior Reader Services Supervisor to oversee two library assistants during evening and weekend shifts. You will train new staff, support readers with enquiries and transactions, and ensure library security.

You may occasionally work at another Bodleian Humanities library, and the role averages 13 hours per week (0.356 FTE). A strong customer focus and excellent spoken English are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Good general level of education to A-Level or equivalent.
• Experience in Reader Services work in an academic library.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of colleagues and readers.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and oversee a team of two library assistants during evening and weekend shifts.
• Train new staff and support readers with enquiries and transactions.
• Oversee library security and handle out-of-hours issues.
• Undertake tasks such as reshelving, stock management and background project work.
• Occasionally work at another Bodleian Humanities library when staffing requires.
• Maintain high standards of service and respond to reader needs on site.

Skills

Customer focus

Communication

English proficiency

Education

A-Level or equivalent

Tools

Library management system

Online catalogues

E-resources

Job description

About the Role

You will join the Bodleian Humanities Library, based in the University’s Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. The library supports research, teaching and learning across a range of humanities subjects, with readers supported by Reader Services staff and specialist Subject Librarians.

You will supervise and oversee a team of two library assistants during evening and weekend shifts, acting as the senior member of staff on site. You will help ensure excellent service standards by training new staff, supporting readers with enquiries and transactions, overseeing library security and dealing with out-of-hours issues. You will also undertake a range of library tasks, including reshelving, stock management and background project work, and may occasionally be required to work at another Bodleian Humanities library where unexpected staffing difficulties arise.

This is a permanent part-time post, working an average of 13 hours per week (0.356 FTE).

Working pattern:

1 Saturday (08:50-17:10, inc. 40-minute unpaid lunch break) slot per week

About You

You will have a good general level of education to A-Level or equivalent, together with previous experience of Reader Services work in an academic library, including using an automated library management system, online catalogues and e-resources. You will have a strong customer focus and enjoy working with library users, with excellent spoken English and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of colleagues and readers, both face to face and in writing.

What We Offer

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days of annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

Diversity

Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave.

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible. If you require the job description or any other materials in an alternative format, or if you would like to request any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact the recruitment team at [e-mail] .

We aim to provide a supportive working environment and are happy to discuss training and professional development opportunities. The Chair of this recruitment panel will be Tom Halvarsson, Deputy Librarian-in-Charge, who can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role ( [e-mail] ). General queries about the recruitment and application process should be directed to the Recruitment team within our Human Resources department ( [e-mail] ).

Only applications received online by 12.00 midday on Monday 12 October 2026 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 11 November 2026.