Library Assistant & Reading Champion

Bennett Memorial Diocesan School; Tunbridge Wells; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Bennett Memorial Diocesan School is seeking a Library Assistant to support the Learning Resource Centre and assist the LRC Manager. The role involves supervising pupils, cataloguing resources, and helping run library lessons and lunchtime activities.

Excellent ICT skills and a love of reading are important, as is the ability to work autonomously and as part of a team. Transport links to London are good; the school is an active academic community.

Qualifications

• Experience in a library environment preferred.
• Good ICT and Microsoft Office skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Supervising students using the LRC at all times including Sixth Form private study.
• Supporting the LRC Manager with administration for library lessons for lower school students.
• Arranging and supervising lunchtime extracurricular activities related to the LRC.
• Managing resource issues, cataloguing and preparing new resources, and overdue notices.
• Contributing to annual events such as the Sponsored Read & Book Fair.
• Undertaking other duties as required.

Skills

Library experience

ICT skills

Reading promotion

Team player

Communication skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are looking to appoint a Library Assistant. The potential post holder will be involved with all aspects of the work of the Learning Resource Centre, under the direction of the Learning Resources Manager. The library is an academic hub of the school and is dynamic, bright and friendly. It is very well used with over 1900 pupils using it for a variety of reasons, from reading, research, private study and book clubs. Literacy is timetabled in the library by the English Department, promoting the importance of reading to the whole curriculum and of course not least, the love of reading. The role will also involve working as LRC Manager one day a week.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

• Supervising students using the LRC at all times including Sixth Form private study.
• Supporting the LRC Manager with the general administration requirements of library lessons for lower school students
• Arrangement and supervision of lunchtime extra-curricular activities related to the LRC.
• Managing general resource issues and returns, cataloguing and preparing of new resources, book maintenance, sending out overdue book notices, ensuring library shelves are stocked & tidy.
• Contributing to the smooth running of annual events taking place in the LRC, such as the Sponsored Read & Book Fair.
• Undertaking other duties as required, within reasonable limits.
• Some experience of working in a Library or with children would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of the Accelerated Reader reading scheme would an advantage.
• A love of reading, including its promotion, development and improvement.
• Sound knowledge of a wide range of children's literature.
• Sound ICT skills, including Microsoft Office software, and a willingness to develop these skills into new areas.
• Ability to work autonomously and take responsibility for key areas.
• Good administrative skills including a keen eye for detail.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral.
• Strong empathy with the School's Christian values.
• A good team player, proactive, flexible, willing to learn new skills and methods of working practice.
• Situated in Tunbridge Wells with excellent transport links to London, Bennett is a popular and over-subscribed academy with an enviable record of outstanding academic achievement over many years.

A Church of England co-educational school with independent academy status:

• 1,912 on roll including 408 in the Sixth Form
• Judged Outstanding in every area by Ofsted in 2023
• World Class School Quality Mark in 2021
• Outstanding GCSE and A Level results
• Excellent reputation; oversubscribed

Our staff are highly committed and we have a strong and positive school ethos.