Library and Information Advisor

Suffolk County Council; Felixstowe; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK seeks a Library and Information Advisor to enhance community access to library services. You will engage with visitors, support various library activities, and foster an inclusive environment. Ideal candidates will have customer service experience, effective communication skills, and a passion for community engagement. This role offers competitive pay of £25,185 pro rata and various employee benefits including flexible working options.

Benefits

29 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in a customer-facing role.
• Ability to engage with diverse groups, including children.
• Interest in books and technology.

Responsibilities

• Deliver customer service to library visitors.
• Support customers with library services and IT queries.
• Run activities for children and families.

Skills

Customer service

Effective communication

IT literacy

Teamwork

Job description

Overview

Suffolk County Council

Address: Felixstowe Library, Felixstowe, IP11 7BY - On-site working

Salary: £25,185 per annum (pro rata)

Hours: 14.38 hours per week. To be worked: Week 1: Tuesday 8.45 am - 5 pm, Thursday 8.45 am -1 pm, Friday 2 pm - 5.30 pm • Week 2: Tuesday 2 pm -5.30 pm, Thursday 8.45 am -1 pm, Saturday 8.45 am -3.45 pm

Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council we are passionate about improving the future for our customers, our communities and the environment. If you are too, join us as a Library and Information Advisor and make a huge and meaningful impact. Your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving. Our opportunities and support will enable you to make a difference and leave a positive, lasting legacy. Reimagine the possibilities.

Responsibilities

As a Library and Information Advisor, you’ll be at the heart of your local community, helping people of all ages access the services, support and inspiration that libraries offer.

On a typical day, you might:

• deliver excellent customer service to a wide range of visitors, including children, families and older adults
• support customers with using library services, from borrowing books to navigating digital resources
• run and support activities such as children's story time, crafts, and community events
• help customers with IT queries, including using mobile devices, email, and social media
• work closely with volunteers and community groups to raise the library’s profile and deliver outreach services
• carry out core library tasks such as shelving, stock management, taking payments, and creating displays.

This is a physically active role that involves bending and lifting.

Requirements

We are looking for someone who:

• can deliver great customer service to people of all ages
• communicates effectively and builds positive, supportive relationships with customers, colleagues, and the wider community
• is confident engaging with young people and enthusiastic about delivering activities like children's crafts and story sessions
• is IT literate and comfortable using the internet, social media, email, mobile devices and apps and can guide others in using them too
• works well as part of a team and is happy to support colleagues
• is willing to learn and carry out the full range of library procedures, including shelving, lending, self-service support, taking payments, stock work, displays, and rearranging the library space when needed.

If you have worked in a customer-facing role, enjoy helping people, and have experience working with children, we’d love to hear from you. An interest in books and computers is a big plus.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Team

You will be joining a friendly, supportive team that's passionate about making the library a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone. We work closely with volunteers, community groups, and schools to deliver a wide range of services and events. Our team values collaboration, creativity, and a shared commitment to helping people thrive.

Equality and inclusion

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

Contact

Please contact Maggie Lusher for a casual conversation. You can reach them by emailing: [e-mail]

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 - Click Apply Now to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

1. Can you describe a time when you went above and beyond to help a customer? What was the situation and what was the outcome?
2. Tell us about a time you worked as part of a team to achieve a goal. What role did you play and what was the result?
3. Can you share an experience where you had to deal with a difficult customer or situation? How did you maintain professionalism and resolve the issue?

Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing: [e-mail] or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 10 December 2025.

Interview date: 19 December 2025.

Promoted as SPJ (Standard Plus Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Onsite

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).