Library Assistant

Milton-Keynes-Council; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great holiday benefits

Excellent pension - Local Government

Family friendly policies

Health cash plan

Bike purchase scheme

Discounts and travel offers

Salary sacrifice car scheme

Blue Light Card discounts

Job summary

Milton Keynes City Council’s Public Libraries team is recruiting a Library Assistant to enhance frontline services, support literacy and digital access, and engage with residents across Milton Keynes. You’ll help users access resources, run activities, and promote reading within the community.

The role emphasizes customer service, teamwork, and flexible work across library locations, with a site-based pattern and DBS checks as part of pre-employment screening.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths at grade A-C or equivalent.
• Confident communicator with diverse backgrounds.
• Experience using IT and digital systems; quick to learn new tools.
• Ability to stay organised and multitask in a busy environment.
• Works well independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Promote reading and provide access to information and resources.
• Deliver frontline customer service at library service points.
• Support activities such as story times and community events.
• Advise customers on library materials and digital resources.
• Help maintain a safe, welcoming environment for customers and colleagues.
• Work flexibly across library locations as required.

Skills

GCSE English

GCSE Maths

Strong communication

IT skills

Organised

Team player

Education

GCSE English & Maths A-C

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Central Milton Keynes Library, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Central Milton Keynes Library, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Closing Date:

20/09/2026

Job Category:

Children's Services

Service Area:

Children's Services- Access to Education, Employment and Training

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32days after five years.In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can lease an electric or low-emission vehicle at a reduced cost through salary sacrifice, subject to National Minimum Wage and other eligibility requirements.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Roles are either ‘site based’ or ‘home based’.

Site based roles are mainly based at the workplace, with the option to work from home for up to two days a week, depending on service needs.

Home based roles are mainly based at home, with the expectation of attending the workplace up to one day a week.

The working arrangement for each role is set by the manager, based on service requirements.

Job Introduction

We’re recruiting a Library Assistant to join our Public Libraries team at Milton Keynes City Council.

MKCC Libraries provide welcoming, inclusive spaces where residents can access books, digital resources, information, learning opportunities and community support.

Our team helps people of all ages improve literacy, develop digital skills, access reliable information and connect with their local community. By supporting education, wellbeing and lifelong learning, we contribute to the Council’s priorities and help create stronger, more connected communities across Milton Keynes. The work we do is important because libraries provide free and equitable access to resources and opportunities that help residents thrive.

As a Library Assistant, you’ll play an important part in delivering frontline library services and creating a positive experience for everyone who visits our libraries. You’ll help residents access resources, use library services and take part in activities that encourage reading, learning and community engagement.

Milton Keynes City Council is committed to making our city a better place to live by creating healthier communities, tackling inequalities and supporting residents to achieve their potential.

Our values are simple. We are Dedicated, Respectful and Collaborative, and we look for people who share these values in everything they do.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys helping people, working in the community and making a difference through excellent customer service.

Site-Based role

This is a Site-Based role, and you’ll be expected to work from the designated workplace.

Work Pattern

You’ll usually work Monday to Thursday, with some Saturday working. In week one, you’ll work 40 hours, including Saturday. In week two, you’ll work 33 hours and have Friday, Saturday and Sunday off.

This pattern includes one later finish on a Thursday in week two, when you’ll work from 10am to 8pm.

Interviews for this role will be held on 6th October 2026

At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.

• Promoting the value of reading and helping residents access information, learning opportunities and resources that enrich their lives.
• Providing frontline customer service at library service points and supporting activities such as story times and community events.
• Helping to promote library services and maintaining positive relationships with residents from across the community.
• Advising customers on the use of library materials, digital resources and equipment.
• Supporting the maintenance of a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for customers and colleagues.
• Working flexibly across library locations and supporting service delivery where required.

Ideal Candidate

• GCSE English and Maths at grade A-C or equivalent, or relevant experience that demonstrates strong literacy and numeracy skills.
• A confident communicator who enjoys speaking with people from a wide range of backgrounds and delivering excellent customer service.
• Experience using information technology, including Microsoft Office and other digital systems, or the ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Someone who can remain organised and effective in a busy environment while managing several tasks at the same time.
• You’ll be comfortable working independently when required while also contributing positively as part of a team.
• With a practical approach to problem solving, you’ll be able to identify issues, take appropriate action and seek support when needed.

Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle

To be successful in this role, you’ll need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. If we offer you the role, we’ll ask you to provide evidence of your driving licence and vehicle insurance, including cover for business use. We’re unable to confirm an appointment until these documents are received.

As part of the pre-employment checks, should you be offered the role, we’ll carry out an Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.

We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.

If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council, see attached.