Library Assistant

Surrey County Council; Ewell; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

A local government council in Ewell is seeking a motivated Library Assistant to enhance community engagement. Responsibilities include assisting with reading recommendations, leading events, and engaging with schools. The ideal candidate should have a background in excellent customer service and creativity in attracting visitors. This part-time position offers benefits such as a competitive salary, holiday entitlements, and professional development resources.

Benefits

26 days holiday per year

Employee Assistance Programme

Career development resources

Lifestyle discounts

Paid 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.
• Creative ideas for attracting more people to our libraries, aligned with the Surrey Way framework.

Responsibilities

• Helping with reading recommendations.
• Creating new themes for book displays.
• Maintaining, presenting, and processing book stock.
• Leading craft events and sessions such as Rhymetime and Storytime.
• Engaging with schools to organise visits and class assemblies.

Skills

Excellent customer service

Community engagement

Creativity

Job description

Overview

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.

Responsibilities

• 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, 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)

Rota and travel

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.

Application and selection

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 28/09/2025 with interviews planned for w/c 6th October 2025. 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.

Local government context

Local Government Reorganisation: Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution. 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.

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and self‑motivated Library Assistant to join our dedicated team. You will be based at Ewell Library, and you will also be required to work at Ashtead, Epsom and Banstead Libraries.

Qualifications and experience

• Proven experience in providing or receiving excellent customer service.
• Evidence of observing or contributing to a community service that made a positive impact.
• Creative ideas for attracting more people to our libraries, aligned with the Surrey Way framework.

Benefits

• This role has a starting salary of 10,438 per annum (pro rata to 25,052 FTE), based on a 15 hour working week.
• 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