Library and Information Advisor

SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL; Kesgrave; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in England is looking for an enthusiastic individual to join their library team. The role involves delivering excellent customer service to a diverse community, supporting library activities, and assisting with IT queries. Ideal candidates will have a passion for working with people and an interest in promoting library services. This position offers opportunities for personal growth and collaboration in a friendly environment.

Benefits

29 days annual leave (pro rata)

Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working options

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in customer-facing roles, especially with children.
• Ability to engage and communicate with diverse age groups.
• Willingness to learn and support library procedures.

Responsibilities

• Deliver excellent customer service to visitors of all ages.
• Support customers with library services and IT queries.
• Run activities such as storytime and community events.

Skills

Customer service skills

Effective communication

IT literacy

Teamwork

Job description

Responsibilities

• 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.

What we’re looking for

• 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). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The 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.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re 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 organization, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

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?

Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high‑volume, seasonal and high‑peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non‑disabled people. For more details please go to .

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.

Career and Benefits

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.

Plus lots more!