Housebound Library and Information Assistant

Coventry City Council; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job description

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias. Coventry City Council’s Library and Information Service is a public facing service operating for the benefit of local communities and the wider city. Providing services from the Central library and 16 local libraries (3 of which are community led) Coventry libraries provide a unique 'cradle-to-grave' service bringing individuals and communities together. Public libraries acquire, organise and provide access to a range of information and reading resources to meet the diverse needs of a community. We actively support independent learning and encourage reader development, also providing information on areas such as:

1. Local and national government services,
2. Learning opportunities,
3. Leisure activities, and
4. Local community news and events.

We also play an important role in providing access to computers and the internet for those who are digitally excluded. The Library Service works in partnership with local, regional and national organisations to provide a full and wide-ranging service offer. Partners include:

1. Arts Council England
2. BBC
3. Department for Culture, Media and Sport
4. Libraries Connected
5. Public Health England, and
6. Reading Agency.

Libraries are uniquely placed to change lives for the better. They are busy and vibrant open spaces, not only providing access to books but also helping people to help themselves and improve their opportunities. By providing practical support and guidance, libraries play a critical role in enabling and empowering people to realise their potential, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Our Values

It’s great to know that you are interested in working with us at Coventry City Council. As a prospective employee, it is important that everyone who works for us is committed to our One Coventry values and shares our commitment to becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

Our Values are:

1. Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
2. Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
3. Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
4. Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
5. Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
6. Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

What is the job role?

Delivering books to housebound people:

1. Delivering up to 15 books to each customer
2. Delivery of up to 20 customers per day
3. Connecting with the wider Libraries team about the Housebound Service
4. Producing a quarterly newsletter for Housebound readers
5. Ensuring that computerised and manual filing systems are maintained and updated
6. Assessing new applications for clients on the Housebound service
7. Advocate for Housebound service
8. Carrying bags and boxes of books
9. Working in Libraries across Coventry
10. Leading events and activities for all ages e.g. rhymetimes
11. Moving books around the library
12. Creating and Promoting book displays
13. Dealing with enquiries and helping people in the library.

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for someone:

1. Who possesses a clean driving licence
2. Who has a clear DBS check (to be carried out once in post)
3. Use statistics to produce reports
4. With excellent customer service skills
5. Good communication skills
6. A knowledge of how to use a variety of IT applications
7. Who is resourceful and has good problem-solving skills
8. With the ability to lead and participate in events
9. With an eye for keeping library spaces welcoming to all
10. Who wants to share their passion for books and reading.

Timetable

This post is temporary for 9 months at 22 hours per week:

1. Monday – 8.45 am – 2.15 pm
2. Tuesday – 8.45 am – 2.15 pm
3. Wednesday - non-working day
4. Thursday – 8.45 am – 2.15 pm
5. Friday - 8.45 am – 2.15 pm

The salary will be pro-rata to the number of hours worked.

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

1. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
2. Are currently in care or have previously been in care
3. If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'.

If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.

Interview date: Thursday 24th April

If you have any questions about this post, please contact Rachel Speake at [e-mail] or Julia Steventon at [e-mail] / 02476 786785.

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change. We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies.