Library Manager

Suffolk County Council; Framlingham; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 40,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

up to 29 days annual leave entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Travel, lifestyle, health and well‑be

Training and development

Career development opportunities

Diverse staff networks

Flexible working options

Job summary

Suffolk County Council’s Framlingham Library is seeking a Library Manager. This on-site, part-time role (22.25 hours/week) offers a pro rata salary of £34,434 per annum. You will oversee operations, lead staff and volunteers, and deliver a welcoming, customer-focused service at the heart of the community.

You will engage with local stakeholders, champion community activities, and support staff development while ensuring health & safety and inclusive service delivery.

Qualifications

• Lead, manage and motivate a team of staff and volunteers to provide a customer-focused and responsive service.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a passion for engaging with people and building relationships.
• Proactive approach to promote innovative ideas to increase library usage.
• Confident IT knowledge to support, assist and train staff and customers with technology (computers, tablets, smartphones).
• Ability to prioritise and manage time effectively to achieve individual and team goals.
• Strong communication and partnership skills to work with stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the local area.
• Commitment to fairness, equality, diversity and inclusion and making a positive difference in Suffolk.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire staff and volunteers to deliver a welcoming, customer-focused service at the heart of the community.
• Oversee day-to-day library operations, ensuring high standards in customer care, stock management and health & safety compliance.
• Build relationships with local stakeholders to promote community engagement and innovative activities to increase library usage.
• Support staff development, manage income generation opportunities and maintain a vibrant, inclusive space.
• Liaise with an active Friends group to support library activities.
• This is a physically active role involving bending and lifting.
• This is a lone working post with responsibility to open and close the library building.

Skills

Team leadership

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

IT knowledge

Time management

Stakeholder engagement

Local area knowledge

Equality & inclusion

Job description

• Suffolk County Council

• Address: Framlingham Library, The Old Court House, Framlingham, Suffolk IP13 9AJ - on-site working
• Salary: £34,434 per annum pro rata
• Hours: 22.25 hours per week, please see below for working pattern
• Contract: Permanent

Here at Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Community Libraries, we're focused on making a meaningful difference to communities across Suffolk. How? By listening to our people learning from what they say and creating a culture of mutual respect, where everyone works together to achieve great things. As a Library Manager for Suffolk Community Libraries, you'll be as keen to collaborate and build a bright future as we are. So, to make a positive impact, connect with us and connect with a fantastic career. Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Library Manager, you will lead and inspire a dedicated team of staff and volunteers to deliver a welcoming, customer-focused service at the heart of the community. You will oversee the day-to-day operations of the library, ensuring high standards in customer care, stock management, and compliance with health and safety procedures. Building strong relationships with local stakeholders you will champion community engagement and promote innovative activities to increase library usage. Your role will also involve supporting staff development, managing income generation opportunities, and ensuring the library remains a vibrant, inclusive space for all. You will also be liaising and working alongside an active and involved Friends group.

This is a physically active role that involves bending and lifting.

This is a lone working post and as such you'll be expected to open and close the library building.

Your working pattern will be:

Week 1: Monday 9.30am - 12.30pm, Tuesday 9.15am - 2.45pm, Thursday 9.15am -2.45pm, Friday 9.15am - 2.45pm

Week 2: Monday 9.15 am - 12.45pm, Tuesday 9.15am - 2.45pm, Thursday 9.15am - 2.45pm, Friday 9.15am - 1.15pm, Saturday 9.45am - 5.15pm (1 hour unpaid for lunch).

You will need:

• the ability to lead, manage, and motivate a team of staff and volunteers in providing a customer-focused and responsive service
• strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a passion for engaging with people and building relationships
• a proactive approach and the ability to promote innovative ideas to increase library usage
• confident IT knowledge to support, assist, and train staff and customers in using various forms of technology, including computers, tablets, and smartphones
• the ability to prioritise and manage time effectively to achieve both individual and team goals
• strong communication and partnership skills to work effectively with stakeholders
• knowledge of the local area
• commitment to fairness, equality, diversity, and inclusion, and a passion for making a positive difference in Suffolk.

The team

Library Managers work within Suffolk Community Libraries' local branches, supporting community engagement and delivering frontline services. The team collaborates with volunteers, community groups, and other council services to promote inclusive access to learning and information.

Empowering everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report .

For more information

Please contact Rachel Gibson for a casual conversation. You can contact them by emailing [e-mail]

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what's acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply?

If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at [e-mail] or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages .

Closing date: 11.30pm, 22 August 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Onsite

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) .

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.