Library Assistant

Surrey County Council; Dorking; Hybrid; GBP 12,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK is seeking an enthusiastic Library Assistant. This role involves customer service, supporting community engagement through reading and activities at multiple libraries including Dorking. The starting salary is £12,526 per annum for 18 hours a week, with benefits including generous holiday and training opportunities.

Benefits

26 days' holiday

Employee Assistance Programme

Lifestyle discounts

Learning and development hub

Volunteering days

Qualifications

• Proven experience in providing or receiving excellent customer service.
• Evidence of observing or contributing to a community service that made a positive impact.

Responsibilities

• Help with reading recommendations.
• Create new themes for book displays.
• Lead craft events, Rhymetime, and Storytime sessions.

Skills

Customer service experience

Creativity

Flexibility

Communication

Job description

• Salary: £12,526 per annum (pro rata to £25,052 per annum)
• Category: Libraries
• Contract type: Permanent
• Working hours: 18 hours per week
• Posted on: 10 September 2025
• Directorate: Resources
• Location: Leatherhead Library, Leatherhead, KT22 8DP and Bookham Library, Leatherhead, KT23 4DQ

Description

This role has a starting salary of£12,526per annum (pro rata to £25,052 FTE), based on an 18 hour working week.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated Library Assistant to join our dedicated team. You will be based at Leatherhead and Bookham Libraries, you will also be required to work at Dorking Library.

Libraries are spaces for social interaction, learning and cultural experiences, acting as an economic enabler providing support for local communities and businesses. Surrey's libraries offer vital services to all members of their communities.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Role

Surrey Libraries hold a unique place in our communities offering something for everyone, and no two days are the same. They provide universal access through a programme of reading, learning, digital, and health and wellbeing activities. Our vision is for our libraries to become hubs of the community that all are proud of. With excellent customer service at its heart, we need people who share this passion to become more successful.

Library Assistants greet each person with a positive attitude and resilient approach to any request. Customer service is at the forefront of our library service, making them busy, lively places to work. Flexibility, creativity, and initiative are key.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Helping with reading recommendations
• Creating new themes for book displays
• Maintaining, presenting, and processing book stock
• Leading craft events, Rhymetime, and Storytime sessions
• Engaging with schools to organise visits and class assemblies
• Assisting with or leading activities for both children and adults
• Lone working or single staffing at this and other libraries in the area

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• Proven experience in providing or receiving excellent customer service.
• Evidence of observing or contributing to a community service that made a positive impact.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to upload your CV and answer the following questions. Please highlight your strengths and any transferable skills or experience:

• What has motivated you to apply for the Surrey Library Service? (150 words)
• Can you please provide an example when you either provided, or received excellent customer service? (150 words)
• Our libraries are a vital community resource. Describe an instance where you observed or contributed to a community service making a positive impact. (150 words)
• Can you name 3 things you would do to attract more people to our libraries and highlight how they align with aspects of our Surrey Way framework? (150 words)

If shortlisted for interview, you will be sent interview questions in advance. You will be asked to share an idea for a library event and be asked to read a short story.

Rota

Week 1 Week 2

Monday Off Off

Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00 (Leatherhead) Off

Wednesday Off 10:00 - 16:00 (Leatherhead)

Thursday 09:30 - 13:00 (Bookham) 14:00 - 17:00 (Bookham)

Friday 09:30 - 17:00 (Leatherhead) 09:00 - 17:00 (Leatherhead)

Saturday Off 09:00 - 13:00 (Leatherhead)

Sunday Off Off

This rota is subject to temporary or long-term revision to meet the needs of the library service. This may include occasionally covering until 7pm. You may be required to travel to other locations to support the wider library network as required.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 05/10/2025 with interviews planned for 16/10/2025.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.

Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.

The Surrey Way behaviours are a guide that supports our council to work together effectively and deliver our best for our customers and communities, and for each other. Discover more about our behaviours.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. OurLife at Surrey handbook also provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.