Library & Information Assistant (12-month fixed Maternity Cover)

Cornwall Council; Redruth; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Redruth Town Council is seeking a Library & Information Assistant to provide a proactive library and information service to customers. You will interpret needs, resolve enquiries, and signpost to Cornwall Council services where needed.

You will support library activities, reader development, rhyme time and storytime events, while ensuring safeguarding and information governance standards are followed.

Qualifications

• Experience in a library or similar customer-facing setting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and database tools.
• Ability to use Canva and social media for engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive library and information services to customers.
• Deliver universal library offers in culture, reading and information.
• Record enquiries and signpost to appropriate services.
• Support events such as reader development and storytime.
• Maintain safeguarding, data protection and information governance.

Skills

Library experience

Microsoft Office

Canva

Social media

Data protection awareness

Customer service

Teamwork

Education

GCSEs including English & Maths

Tools

Database spreadsheets

Job description

Job Purpose:

To provide a proactive and comprehensive library and information service to both internal and external customers which will involve dealing with customer enquiries, interpreting the customer’s need and ensuring effective resolution of their requests or needs. To also be the first point of contact for customers with enquiries about Cornwall Council services.

Scope:

To demonstrate commitment to all aspects of Safeguarding to ensure our staff, customers and visitors are safe and to discharge our duty in terms of corporate safeguarding of all.

To behave in a way that recognises the importance of organisational culture, values and accountability.

To act in a socially responsible way at all times, ensuring your behaviour, actions and decisions consider sustainability of resources, the Climate and the Environment.

To adhere to standards set to ensure health and safety at work, which includes following procedures correctly and participating in relevant health and safety training, in helping to create a safe and supportive organisation for all.

To undertake tasks as required to support the Council’s range of events and festivals as directed.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. 1. Provide a proactive and comprehensive library and information service to both internal and external customers which will involve interpreting the customer’s need and ensuring effective resolution of their requests or needs.
2. 2. Deliver elements of the Universal library offer in culture, creativity, health & wellbeing, information and digital, reading to Library customers.
3. 3. Provide the first point of contact for customers visiting Redruth Town Council enquiring about Cornwall Council services. To record enquiries and signpost customers to the appropriate services.
4. 4. Handle any payment transactions as required, which may include supporting customers to use electronic payment methods.
5. 5. Establish a good knowledge of Library resources, including the maintenance and presentation of stock
6. 6. Understand and provide high-quality information services to members of the public
7. 7. Promote the Library Service to all members of the community.
8. 8. Participate in the delivery of Library centred activities such as reader development activities, rhyme time, story time and creative events for children and adults.
9. 9. Offer initial reading choice guidance in line with reader development principles to adults and children.
10. 10. Receive customer enquiries by telephone, electronically, post or face to face. Assess and establish the reason for service requests, suitably prioritise, and take prompt appropriate action in accordance with procedures and instructions.
11. 11. Use customer service IT packages effectively, updating and maintaining computerised systems to ensure the service performs successfully.
12. 12. Use applications such as Canva and social media to create, schedule and publish engaging social media content and raise awareness of library services, programmes and events
13. 13. Work in accordance with the diversity and equality needs of the local community to ensure equal access to services.
14. 14. Ensure a positive and flexible approach to the variety of tasks and work patterns within the role. This will include Saturday working on alternate weekends and availability to provide cover for occasional evening events as well as local festivals.
15. 15. Manage information and operate in line with Redruth Town Council policies, procedures, and guidance on subjects such as Data protection, GDPR, Freedom of Information, confidentiality, information security and sharing, the information lifecycle and data quality, to ensure compliance and efficient and effective information governance.
16. 16. Maintain awareness of Redruth Town Council policies and practices regarding the safeguarding of children, young people and/or adults who may be at risk. Report concerns/allegations in accordance with corporate guidance and procedures.
17. 17. Work to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and report incidents as they occur.
18. 18. Treat everyone with dignity and respect and ensure individuals needs are met. Challenge inappropriate behaviour and language constructively, advising on alternatives so the opportunity for change can be considered.
19. 19. To undertake any other duties required by the Council consistent with the level and scope of the post.
20. 20. Any other task as directed by the Senior Library Officer or Deputy Library Officer.

This Job description outlines the duties required of the post entitled Library & Information Assistant to indicate the level of responsibility. It is not a comprehensive or exhaustive list and duties may be varied from time to time, which do not change the general character of the job or the level of responsibility.

Person Specification

Educational Qualifications

Minimum 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths

Skills and Knowledge

• Experience of working in a Library or similar setting.
• Proven competency in Microsoft Office and other software programmes, including database creation spreadsheets etc.
• Confident in the use of applications such as Canva, as well as social media, or the desire to learn.
• Committed to the protection and safeguarding of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• Share information and expertise with others.
• Confident in leading Rhyme time & Storytime events for young children and families
• Honesty, you respect and build relationships of trust.
• Share your achievements and acknowledge the achievements of others.
• Take responsibility for your work, your environment, and your development.
• Trustworthy and reliable.
• Pay attention to your own health, safety, and wellbeing and that of others.
• Able to acknowledge your errors, report them as appropriate and play your part in addressing them.
• Appropriately challenge unhelpful behaviour.
• Willing to seek feedback and review your own contribution.
• Open to change and improvement.
• Enthusiastic about and take pride in your work.
• Able to apply expertise, solve problems, and make improvements to deliver good customer outcomes.
• Plan and organise your work and manage your time effectively.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Have knowledge of the Council’s customer care policy and practices and applies in all day-to-day activities including demonstrating good ability to understand and interpret customer’s requirements through varied media (telephone, e-mail and in person) and needs using verbal written and nonverbal communication.
• Have outline knowledge of tools and techniques when dealing with challenging behaviours and supports others in their use.
• Demonstrate sufficient understanding of Library stock policy, an understanding of the services provided by Cornwall Council or an ability to develop such an understanding within an appropriate timescale.
• Able to demonstrate a general knowledge of, and enthusiasm for books, reading and to be able to engage with customers to promote reading for pleasure and for information learning with regards to adults and children.
• Good understanding of tourism in the area and are able to use all the council’s tourism resources to provide a high-quality response to enquiries from the public.
• Understand the principles of the Data protection, Freedom of information act, Health & Safety in the workplace.
• Demonstrate experience of working within a customer focused environment or similar team environment providing an excellent standard of customer service.

Personal Attributes

• Able to understand and focus on customer needs and work well with colleagues and partners.
• Pro-active and eager to develop skill sets within the role.
• Creativity and resourcefulness

This is not a Cornwall Council vacancy therefore please contact the organisation direct for further information.

Organisation address: Redruth Town Council, Alma Place, Redruth, TR15 1BZ

Contact detail: Claire Rundle

Email: [e-mail]

Website: www.redruth-tc.gov.uk