Librarian (Culture, Health & Reader Development)

North Somerset Council; Compton Dando; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority organization in Compton Dando seeks a passionate Librarian to lead community-focused library services. This role will involve promoting health and wellbeing through library programming, managing staff, and developing partnerships with community groups. The ideal candidate will have a recognized qualification in librarianship, experience in event planning, and strong supervisory skills. The position requires flexibility in work locations and includes essential criteria related to community engagement and inclusive access to information.

Qualifications

• Experience in libraries or related services with a focus on customer service.
• Ability to manage projects effectively to meet set objectives.
• Adaptability and problem solving with innovative solutions.

Responsibilities

• Deliver services supporting community health and wellbeing.
• Promote access to public health information.
• Manage stock selection and ensure ethical disposal.
• Lead and mentor library staff for high service quality.
• Foster community partnerships through library events.

Skills

Community engagement

Event planning

Excellent communication

Supervisory experience

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Education

Recognized qualification in librarianship

CILIP accredited qualifications (or working towards)

Tools

Microsoft Teams

Spreadsheets

Word processing

OneDrive

Job description

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a passionate and community-focused Librarian (Culture, Health & Reader Development) to join our libraries services team. This role will lead on key areas of service delivery aligned with the Universal Library Offers, including Health & Wellbeing, Culture & Creativity, and Reader Development. A key aspect of the role will be contributing to projects stemming from the library transformation consultation. This may include supporting service redesign, implementing new delivery models, and developing community partnerships.

In this role, you will:

• Deliver services that support the health and wellbeing of our communities.
• Promote access to trusted public health information and facilitate creative and social reading activities.
• Enable access to high-quality arts and cultural experiences through library programming.
• Plan and promote events and activities from the Universal Offers calendar.
• Oversee stock management, rotation, and ethical disposal in line with service priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

Health & Wellbeing

• Deliver and promote services that support community health and wellbeing in partnership with Public Health.
• Upskill library staff to enable them to provide access to trusted health information, signposting, and referrals, including supporting residents to access the NHS app and website.
• Facilitate activities such as warm spaces and wellbeing groups.

Culture & Creativity

• Enable access to arts and cultural experiences through library programming.
• Collaborate with local artists, cultural organisations, and community groups to deliver inclusive events and exhibitions.

Reader Development

• Plan and promote events and activities, including national campaigns, festivals, and themed reading weeks.
• Champion inclusive reading experiences for all ages and abilities.

Stock Management

• Oversee stock selection, rotation, and weeding in line with service priorities.
• Ensure ethical disposal and reuse of withdrawn stock.
• Monitor usage data and community needs to inform stock decisions.

Leadership

• Linemanagea Community Services Supervisor, supporting them to manage their team ensuring high-quality service delivery across multiple library locations (Portishead and Pill libraries).
• Provide guidance and support to team members to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Contribute to the development of library policies and procedures to enhance service delivery.

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.

Work Style

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office (pro rata)
• Works both from home and libraries across North Somerset, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is a passionate advocate for libraries, with a good understanding of the role that libraries play in supporting the health and wellbeing needs of people in all sections of society. You must have significant experience of working in libraries or related services where the delivery of excellent customer service is a priority. You should also have achieved, or be working towards, an approved professional qualification relevant to one or more service areas e.g. library and information studies, information management, or CILIP accredited qualifications.

Experience in managing projects from initiation to completion, ensuring objectives are met on time and within scope is essential. Formal project management training is not required.

You will need to be adaptable, work well under pressure and be able to solve problems with innovative solutions. You will have experience of managing others and be a good communicator with excellent ICT skills, including being a proficient user of spreadsheets, word processing, Microsoft Teams and OneDrive. You will need to manage, organise and prioritise your own work. We’re seeking a dynamic team player who thrives in collaborative environments—both within libraries and across wider Council teams—demonstrating a supportive management style, a positive attitude to change, and a proactive, ‘can do’ approach to challenges.

You will be expected to become a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). Active involvement in professional networks within the sector or commitment to joining and engaging with (if not already a member) is expected.

Essential Criteria

• A recognised qualification in librarianship or equivalent experience in library or cultural services.
• Strong understanding of the Universal Library Offers and their impact.
• Experience in community engagement, event planning, and partnership working.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• A commitment to inclusive access to information, culture, and wellbeing.
• Supervisory experience and people management skills

Desirable Criteria

• Chartered membership of CILIP (or working towards it).
• Experience in stock management and data analysis.
• Knowledge of public health initiatives and digital health literacy.
• Experience of managing budgets