Library Assistants

West Sussex County Council; Steyning; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

West Sussex Choices discounts

Job summary

West Sussex County Council’s Steyning Library is seeking a friendly Library Assistant to support visitors, guide them to resources, and help with day-to-day library operations. You will engage with the community, foster a love of reading, and contribute to a welcoming, inclusive space.

The role emphasizes strong digital and customer service skills, teamwork, and the ability to adapt to varied daily tasks, including running reading events and shelving stock.

Qualifications

• Digital skills to assist customers and navigate the library website and app.
• Strong communication and customer service skills to engage with the public.
• Experience working collaboratively within a team to complete tasks.

Responsibilities

• Be the go-to person for customers, guiding them to services.
• Undertake lone working or staffing with support from a volunteer.
• Support delivery of reading events such as Rhyme Times and author talks.
• Use IT systems confidently, including registering new members.
• Respond to enquiries in person or by phone.
• Provide reading recommendations.
• Create new themes for book displays.
• Maintain, present and process book stock.

Skills

Digital skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Education

GCSEs including Maths & English

Tools

Library systems

Job description

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., Week 1 Monday 12:45pm to 5:05pm Tuesday 9:45am to 5:05pm Wednesday OFF Thursday 12:45pm to 5:05pm Friday 9:45am to 5:05pm Saturday OFF Week 2 Monday 12:45pm to 5:05pm Tuesday OFF Wednesday 9:45am to 5:05pm Thursday 9:45am to 5:05pm Friday 9:45am to 5:05pm Saturday 9:45am to 2:05pm About the Job Steyning Library is situated between the historic St Andrew & St Cuthman Church and Steyning Museum. Step inside Steyning Library with our 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 sincerely guiding them to other services.
• Undertake Lone working or single staffing often supported by a volunteer.
• Supporting the delivery of a wide range of reading events, including Rhyme Times and author talks.
• Using a variety of IT systems and services confidently and effectively including entering basic data into the library system, such as registering new members.
• Responding to enquiries from customers and colleagues, both in person and over the phone.
• Helping with reading recommendations
• Creating new themes for book displays.
• Maintaining, presenting, and processing book stock.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead engaging Rhyme Time and Toddler 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, songs, action rhymes, musical instruments, and puppets. Watch this video to discover more about Rhyme Time: There will also be the opportunity to support and lead other regular branch activities, such as Melody for the Mind, Reading Friends and Silent Book Club. 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!

For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Zoe Gaunt at

Available documents

• 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 unwaveringly adhering to library practices and procedures.

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 page.

Rewards and 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. 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:

• 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 .
• 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.