Library and Information Assistant

Norfolk County Council; Swaffham; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

A local government council in the UK is seeking two Library and Information Assistants for its libraries in Swaffham and Downham Market. Successful candidates will help customers access services, engage in library activities, and manage administrative duties. Ideal applicants should have strong communication skills, previous customer service experience, and a good understanding of IT systems. The role offers flexible working patterns and various benefits, including a competitive salary and generous holiday entitlement.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Health and Wellbeing services

Employee discount programs

Flexible working opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Recent experience in a customer-facing role delivering high service levels.
• Ability to assist with events, library activities, IT queries, and social media.
• Capability to manage administrative duties and ensure safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Help customers access library services and find information.
• Assist with day-to-day running of the library including administrative tasks.
• Receive training for various aspects of the role.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Comfortable with IT systems

Customer service experience

Ability to juggle varying workloads

Positive and proactive approach

Job description

Library and Information Assistant | 9183 | Permanent Contract x 2 | 16.25 and 17.25 hours per week | £25,583 to £25,989 per annum pro rata (Scale D) | Swaffham and Downham Market Libraries

We are looking for two new members of staff with strong communication skills to work as Library and Information Assistants at Swaffham and Downham Market Libraries, part of the Norfolk County Council Library service. The core focus of the role is to work with customers coming into the Library to make sure they are able to access all the services and information they require.

This will mean helping customers find information and talking to customers about books, as well as assisting with events, library activities, research, IT queries and social media. You'll also get involved in the day to day running of the Library, dealing with administrative duties and ensuring health and safety protocols are followed at all times. To be considered for the role you will need recent experience in a customer facing role where you delivered a high level of service to members of the public from a range of different backgrounds. You'll need strong communication skills, and will be comfortable with IT systems. In addition, you'll need to be able to juggle a varying workload, and you'll have a positive and proactive approach.

The role will involve some time when you work on your own, but you will receive plenty of training for this and every other aspect of this interesting and rewarding role.

Shift Patterns

Vacancy 1 (All working days at Swaffham Library)

• Week 1 – Tuesday 8 hours, Thursday 4 hours, Saturday 3.5 hours
• Week 2 – Tuesday 8 hours, Thursday 4 hours, Friday 5 hours

Vacancy 2 (Thursday’s at Downham Market Library, all other days at Swaffham Library)

• Week 1 – Tuesday 6.5 hours, Thursday 4 hours, Friday 5 hours, Saturday 3.5 hours
• Week 2 – Tuesday 8 hours, Thursday 4 hours, Saturday 3.5 hours

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Health and Wellbeing services including fast‑track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
• Flexible working opportunities including flexi‑time, part‑time, remote and hybrid working – dependent on your job role and business need.
• Financial benefits such as:
  • Norfolk Rewards – our employee discount programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.
  • A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
  • Relocation expenses (where applicable)
  • An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
  • Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions
  • Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
  • Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra‑low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)
  • Payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job

We want our people to be inspired and motivated to work well together, make the most of our workspaces, enjoy a healthy work‑life balance, and deliver excellent services to Norfolk and its people. Flexibility is built into the way we work, with hybrid working a key feature for many roles. Our technology platform and equipment are first class, enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We ask that you have in place good broadband connectivity.

Before you apply, we recommend reading the full job description and person specification to help you demonstrate how you meet the criteria. You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here.

Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for all internal and external vacancies via myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.

We would like to make you aware that priority consideration for this post may be given to current employees who are at risk due to restructure within the organisation or are in a redeployment position.

Redeployment closing date: 14 December 2025 23:59

All other applicants closing date: 21 December 2025 23:59