Library Assistant

Birmingham City Council; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Membership of West Midlands Pension

Enhanced Holiday Entitlement - 30 days

My Rewards Scheme - discounts

Health and wellbeing support

Job summary

Birmingham City Council’s Mobile Library Service is seeking a Library Assistant to support customers with books, information and services across community locations. The role blends customer service, stock management, administration and engagement with residents of all ages.

You will work across locations, issue and return items, help with events and promotions, and promote reading and literacy in the community.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering excellent customer service.
• Confident using computers, the internet and digital systems.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Works well in a team and is flexible in approach to work.
• Enthusiasm for reading, literacy and community engagement.
• Committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and customer care.

Responsibilities

• Provide welcoming, professional service to library customers.
• Issue and return books using library management systems.
• Handle customer enquiries in person and by phone.
• Undertake basic information searches using online resources.
• Load, unload and organise books for the mobile library.
• Maintain library stock and process new items.
• Assist in promotional activities and events for children and families.
• Help maintain a safe, welcoming environment.
• Work across locations and travel to sites daily.

Skills

Customer service

Computer literacy

Verbal and written communication

Teamwork

Flexibility

Reading enthusiasm

Tools

Library management systems

Job description

As a Library Assistant within the Mobile Library Service, you will play a key role in ensuring customers have access to books, information and library services within their communities. Working across a variety of locations, you will support people of all ages and backgrounds while helping to promote literacy, learning and community engagement. This is a varied and hands-on role that combines customer service, administration, stock management and community engagement. No two days are the same, and you'll have the opportunity to work directly with residents while supporting the smooth operation of the mobile library service,

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver a welcoming and professional service to library customers across Birmingham, main base is Gravely Hill, Erdington.
• Issue and return books and other library materials using library management systems.
• Handle customer enquiries relating to books, library membership and library services both in person and over the telephone.
• Undertake basic information searches using online resources and databases
• Load, unload and organise books and materials for the mobile library service.
• Maintain library stock, including processing new items, carrying out repairs and removing outdated materials.
• Assist in the delivery of promotional activities, displays and events, including activities for children and families
• Help maintain a safe, secure and welcoming environment for customers and colleagues.
• Work flexibly across library locations as required - please note that this si note a hybrid role and will require you to travel to site daily.

Who we're looking for

• Enjoys working with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Has experience of delivering excellent customer service.
• Is confident using computers, the internet and digital systems.
• Has effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Works well as part of a team and is flexible in their approach to work.
• Has an enthusiasm for reading, literacy and community engagement.
• Is committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and excellent customer care.

Working for Birmingham City Council is more than just a job; it’s about making life better for the 1 million plus people who live and work in the city., The Council is a fantastic place to work. You will find an organisation that is both challenging and supportive; with a leadership impatiently adventurous in its pursuit of excellence.

The Council's Vision

There is a clear vision which is ensuring that the Council is working for communities today and building for tomorrow, we focus our resources on five key priorities:

• A Prosperous Birmingham: through a focus on inclusive economic growth, tackling unemployment, attracting inward investment, and maximising the benefits of the Commonwealth Games.
• An Inclusive Birmingham: through a focus on tackling poverty and inequality, empowering citizens, promoting diversity and civic pride, and supporting and enabling all children and young people to thrive.
• A Safe Birmingham: through a focus on making the city safer, safeguarding vulnerable citizens, increasing affordable housing, and tackling homelessness.
• A Healthy Birmingham: through a focus on tackling health inequalities, encouraging physical activity and healthy living, supporting mental health, and improving outcomes for adults with disabilities and older people.
• A Green Birmingham: through a focus on street cleanliness, improving air quality, continuing the route to net zero, and becoming a city of nature.

Our Approach

We see the Council's role as providing strategic leadership - that’s being able to visualise a new future for the city and equipping others to share our vision. We want to ensure the provision of services for all, so we can support those least able to support themselves by working with partners and putting citizens and neighbourhoods at the heart of our decision-making. We are always looking for people who put the customer at the centre of their approach, with a commitment to excellence to help us achieve our vision. We will support you to develop and thrive in your role, building a pathway for long-term success, with lots of development opportunities, such as apprenticeships.

Benefits

• Membership of West Midlands Pension Fund - with generous employer contributions
• Enhanced Holiday Entitlement - 30 days, increasing with length of service
• My Rewards Scheme - access to over 800 brands providing discounts and savings
• Health and wellbeing support - independent and confidential employee assistance and counselling

Equality & Diversity

Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people. We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application. Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed. Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Terms & Conditions

In return, we offer you excellent terms and conditions, generous annual leave, a great pension scheme, well-being support, annual travel passes and discounts at a number of city centre establishments.