Library Assistant

West Sussex County Council; Shoreham-by-Sea; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

West Sussex County Council's Shoreham-by-Sea Library is seeking a friendly, enthusiastic Library Assistant to support customers, manage day-to-day library operations, and help people access digital resources and printed materials.

You will join a welcoming team, deliver activities like Baby Rhyme Time and Storytime, and promote reading across all ages while maintaining stock, entering data in library systems, and providing excellent service.

Qualifications

• 4 GCSEs with Maths and English or equivalent qualification/experience.
• Experience working collaboratively within a team to complete tasks.
• Digital skills to assist customers and navigate emails, website, app and eLibrary.
• Strong communication and customer service skills engaging the public.
• Interpersonal skills with children, families and customers of all ages.

Responsibilities

• Be the go-to person for customers, helping with questions and guiding to services.
• Support delivery of activities and events, including Baby Rhyme Time and Storytime.
• Use IT systems confidently, entering basic data into library systems.
• Respond to enquiries in person or by phone and promote reading.
• Maintain, present and process book stock and recommendations.

Skills

Digital skills

Communication

Customer service

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Education

4 GCSEs including Maths & English

Equivalent qualification/experience

Tools

Library IT systems

Job description

ABOUT US

Are you passionate about helping people and creating welcoming community spaces?

West Sussex Libraries are looking for a friendly, confident, and resourceful Library Assistant to join our high-performing team.

Our libraries are vibrant, inclusive spaces that serve a wide range of community needs. As a Library Assistant, you will be at the centre of this service, providing excellent customer support, helping visitors access resources, and ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the library.

Salary: £24,796 to £25,185 per annum, £19,602 to £19,909 (pro rata for part time) and entitlement to Saturday Enhancement for working 5 hours 30 minutes, 1 in 2 Saturdays.

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract until August 2027. Final start and end dates will be confirmed with the successful candidate.

Working Pattern: 29.25 hours per week

Location: Shoreham-by-Sea Library, St Marys Road, Shoreham BN43 5ZA

Interview Date:

Shifts:

Week 1

Monday: 9:00am to 18:00pm

Tuesday: 9:30am to 18:00pm

Wednesday: 9:30am to 18:00pm

Thursday: 9:30am to 18:00pm

Friday: Off

Saturday: Off

Week 2

Monday: 9:30am to 18:00pm

Tuesday: 9:30am to 18:00pm

Wednesday: Off

Thursday: 9:30am to 18:00pm

Friday: Off

Saturday: 9:30am to 16:00pm

JOB DETAILS

Shoreham-by-Sea Library is a busy and welcoming community space, offering a range services and activities that sit at the heart of the local community.

Step inside Shoreham-by-Sea Library with our 360 degree tour.

We are looking for friendly, enthusiastic, and resourceful individuals who have exceptional digital skills and a genuine passion to make a difference to the local community.

It's not just about the books! We are looking for someone who understands the power of community and the importance of fostering a love for reading in people of all ages.

Library Assistants welcome everyone with a positive attitude and a resilient approach to every request. Providing excellent customer service is central to our library service, creating dynamic and engaging environments. Flexibility, creativity, and initiative are essential qualities for success.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Being the dedicated go-to person for customers at the library, passionately helping them with their questions and guiding them to other services.
• Supporting the delivery of a wide range of activities and events, including Baby Rhyme Time and Storytime.
• Using a variety of IT systems confidently and effectively including entering basic data into library systems, such as registering new members.
• Responding to enquiries from customers and colleagues, both in person and over the phone.
• Helping with reading recommendations and promoting reading in customers of all ages.
• Maintaining, presenting, and processing book stock.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead engaging Rhyme Time sessions lasting 30 minutes. We are looking for a confident individual who will play a vital role in inspiring a love of music and language in children through nursery rhymes, using actions, musical instruments and puppets. Watch this video to discover more about Rhyme Time: Libraries are for everyone: Rhyme Time

The variety of our work means that no two days are the same. We get huge job satisfaction from helping everyone who comes through our doors, and you could too!

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

• 4 GCSEs with 9-4 / A-C passes including Maths and English, or equivalent qualification/experience.
• Experience working collaboratively within a team to complete shared tasks.
• Digital skills to effectively assist customers, including navigating emails and accessing the library website, app, and eLibrary.
• Strong communication and customer service skills to engage effectively with the public.
• Good interpersonal skills with the confidence to engage effectively with children, families, and customers of all ages.
• Capable of consistently meeting deadlines and adapting to the varied demands of each day, ensuring smooth and effective service.
• Skilled in taking initiative and applying sound judgment, while adhering to library practices and procedures.

For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached.

BENEFITS

We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.

You will benefit from 25 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 5 years' service (pro rata for part time) plus the opportunity to buy additional leave and an excellent local government pension scheme.

We think libraries are great places to work, where you can make a difference to local communities every day. Find out more about the variety that comes with working in a library and hear first‑hand from some of our library staff here: Library Jobs at West Sussex Libraries

A range of discounts give our staff access to hundreds of offers; groceries, travel, cinema tickets, days out, leisure activities, high street retailers and the opportunity to save over £1,000 a year through our West Sussex Choices benefits platform.

For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to right to work within the UK, , satisfactory references, and health check.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.

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