Library Assistant - Accessibility

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Cambridge is seeking a Library Assistant: Accessibility to ensure disabled students have equal access to resources. Responsibilities include providing accessible documents, supporting helpdesk functions, and maintaining compliance with legislation. Ideal candidates will have strong communication and IT skills, as well as experience in library services. Flexible working options available.

Benefits

Flexible and hybrid working opportunities

Generous annual leave allowance of 36 days

Exceptional parental leave

Discounts on major retailers

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must possess IT and customer service capabilities.
• Experience in a library or administrative role is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide accessible documents to disabled students.
• Respond to accessibility-related enquiries.
• Support the Reader Services helpdesk.
• Obtain accessible materials from publishers.
• Ensure compliance with accessibility and data protection legislation.

Skills

Strong verbal and written communication

Strong IT and customer service skills

Attention to detail

Understanding of accessibility

Experience in a library or administrative role

Job description

Ever wanted to work in an institution that is home to one of the world's great collections of cultural treasures and research materials? Spanning thousands of years of human thought and discovery, Cambridge University Library houses unique treasures and research materials made up of nearly ten million books, maps, manuscripts, photographs and priceless objects.

The role

In this role, you will work to ensure that disabled students at the University of Cambridge have equal access to services and resources regardless of accessibility needs. This includes providing support directly to students and sourcing accessible versions of books and articles.

As Library Assistant: Accessibility you will

• Provide accessible documents (e.g. accessible PDFs, Word files) to disabled students, including remediation of non-accessible documents.
• Respond to accessibility-related enquiries via email and in person, and providing tours to students.
• Support the Reader Services helpdesk, particularly assisting disabled users.
• Obtain accessible materials by working with publishers and colleagues, and by searching online databases.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with accessibility, equalities, copyright and data protection legislation.

What We Are Looking For

• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Strong IT and customer service skills, including via email.
• Ability to work methodically and manage time‑sensitive tasks, with an attention to detail.
• Understanding of accessibility and inclusive approaches, including in communication.
• Experience in a library or administrative role.

What We Offer

• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities such as part‑time hours, job shares, and staggered hours.
• Generous annual leave allowance of 36 days.
• Exceptional parental leave (including maternity, paternity / co‑parent, adoption and shared parental leave).
• Discounts on major retailers.
• Professional development opportunities such as apprenticeships and access to a variety of training courses.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part‑time working or other flexible working arrangements. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under‑represented at this level in our department.

For informal enquiries please contact Patrick Dowson, Accessibility Services Manager, at [e-mail].

Application closing date: Sunday 16 November 2025

Interview date: Thursday 27 November 2025

For further details please refer to the Further Particulars.

Please quote reference VE47725 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.