Librarian: Schools Library Service

Northumberland Fire Group; North East; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave + holidays (pro‑r

LGPS pension

Staff discount schemes

Job summary

Northumberland Schools Library Service is seeking an enthusiastic Librarian to lead, develop and champion our service for schools across Northumberland and beyond. The role focuses on building partnerships, providing expert advice and advocating for reading, literacy and strong library provision.

You will work with a small, effective team, shape a high-quality service, and support students, teachers and school communities while pursuing Chartership and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• A Level 6 or postgraduate LIS qualification or significant library management experience.
• Chartered Librarian status (MCLIP) or commitment to Chartership.
• Excellent influencing, networking and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong customer and service improvement focus.
• Ability to work independently within a close-knit team.
• Valid UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of a high-quality Schools Library Service.
• Provide expert professional advice and guidance to educational settings.
• Promote and market the service to teachers, headteachers, trust leaders, academies and other stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships across the education sector.
• Advocate for reading, literacy and school library provision.
• Work with the full-time Librarian to deliver an excellent customer-focused service.
• Identify opportunities to grow and enhance the service across Northumberland and beyond.

Skills

Influencing

Networking

Stakeholder engagement

Customer focus

Independent working

Driving licence

Education

Level 6 qualification in Library & Information Science

Postgraduate qualification in Library & Information Science

Chartered Librarian status (MCLIP) or commitment to Chartership

Job description

Schools Library Service Librarian

Schools Library Service, Guidepost Fixed Term until March 2027

Inspire a love of reading. Shape library services for schools. Make a difference across Northumberland.

Northumberland Schools Library Service is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Librarian to lead, develop and champion our valued service, supporting schools across Northumberland and beyond.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate library professional who understands the transformative impact that reading, literacy and high-quality library provision can have on children's learning and development.

Working within a small but highly effective team, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering an outstanding Schools Library Service. You will provide professional leadership, build strong relationships with schools and education partners, and help ensure that our services continue to meet the evolving needs of students, teachers and school communities.

About the role

• Lead the development and delivery of a high-quality Schools Library Service.
• Provide expert professional advice and guidance to educational settings.
• Promote and market the service to teachers, headteachers, trust leaders, academies and other stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships across the education sector.
• Advocate for reading, literacy and the value of school library provision.
• Work collaboratively alongside and support our full-time Librarian to deliver an excellent customer-focused service.
• Identify opportunities to grow and enhance the service across Northumberland and beyond.

About you

• A Level 6 or postgraduate qualification in Library and Information Science (or a related field), or significant experience in managing and delivering library services.
• Chartered Librarian status (MCLIP) or a commitment to working towards Chartership.
• Excellent influencing, networking and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A strong customer and service improvement focus.
• The ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a close-knit team.
• A valid UK driving licence.

Why choose us

• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Local government discount schemes available to all employees with offers at local businesses along with various national brands
• Staff networks - run by staff, for staff, providing opportunities for peer networking, mutual support and staff development

This role offers the opportunity to make a real impact on reading and learning across schools and educational settings. You'll join a supportive team with a shared commitment to providing high-quality library resources, expert guidance and excellent customer service to schools across the region.

If you're passionate about libraries, education and helping schools create engaging reading experiences for young people, we'd love to hear from you.

Further information

For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.

Alternative application format: British Sign Language: northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930