Library Team Assistant

Hampshire County Council; Havant; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in Havant seeks a Library Team Assistant to enhance community engagement in a dynamic library environment. The role involves delivering excellent customer service, leading community activities, and helping visitors of all ages. Ideal candidates have strong digital skills and a friendly, inclusive approach. This position offers flexible working hours and a supportive team atmosphere, making a real difference in local community services.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Occupational sick pay

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Comprehensive induction and training plan

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in a busy, customer-facing role.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong digital skills and confidence with Microsoft Office.
• Comfortable using social media or willing to learn.
• Physically able to perform manual tasks.

Responsibilities

• Create a welcoming space for all library customers.
• Lead engaging activities like Rhyme Time sessions.
• Assist customers with digital access and library services.
• Promote library services through community engagement.
• Help with manual tasks like moving furniture and setting up spaces.

Skills

Customer service experience

Excellent communication skills

Strong digital skills

Social media engagement

Ability to perform manual tasks

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

The Role:

Make a real difference in your local community as a Library Team Assistant (Annualised Hours Contract). This vibrant, people-focused role places you at the heart of a dynamic library environment where no two days are the same. You’ll deliver excellent customer service, lead engaging activities, support digital access, and help visitors of all ages feel welcome and empowered. If you thrive in a fast-paced setting and enjoy variety, teamwork, and helping others, this is the role for you.

“I truly look forward to coming to work each day. I continue to learn new skills and see the positive impact our service has within the community – it’s incredibly fulfilling.” – Library Team Assistant

What you’ll do:

• Create a welcoming, inclusive space and support customers of all ages to engage with the full range of library services.
• Lead Rhyme Time and Story Time sessions and promote reading initiatives like the Summer Reading Challenge.
• Carry out manual tasks such as moving furniture, lifting boxes, and setting up spaces for activities.
• Help customers build digital confidence across a range of devices and support with admin tasks including payments, calls, and stock management.
• Promote library services through social media and work with external partners to engage the wider community.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience in a busy, customer-facing role, with a friendly and inclusive approach to working with the public.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to adapt to different people and situations.
• Strong digital skills, with confidence using Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and learning new systems.
• Comfortable using social media to engage with the community and raise awareness of services, or open to learning with support and training provided.
• Physically able to carry out manual tasks such as moving stock and setting up spaces.

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about Library Team Assistant role. The “About you” section explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements in your application.

How you'll work:

This role is offered on an annualised hours contract, meaning your total hours are spread across the year rather than worked to a fixed weekly pattern. You’ll provide cover for annual leave and sickness across our libraries in Leigh Park, Havant, Waterlooville, Emsworth, Hayling Island, and occasionally Petersfield, with more hours available during busy periods like school holidays, Christmas, and Saturdays. You’ll need to be able to travel regularly to all listed locations.

Your shift rota is provided four weeks in advance, giving you time to plan around work and life commitments, although short-notice cover may occasionally be required. While your hours may vary month to month, your pay remains consistent – split evenly across the year. We’re looking for someone with good availability throughout the week who enjoys flexible working and being part of a team that keeps our libraries running smoothly.

• Be part of a supportive, caring team that takes pride in making a positive impact.
• Enjoy a varied, feel-good role that helps people and strengthens community connections.
• Benefit from a comprehensive induction and training plan, as well as ongoing opportunities for career development.
• Enjoy a good work-life balance with no Sunday or Bank Holiday working.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here.

Want to see what it’s like?

If you'd like to experience the environment first-hand, we warmly encourage you to pop into your local library – you’ll quickly see how dynamic, welcoming, and community-driven our spaces really are!

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK before applying.

Other job titles you may be searching for: Library Assistant, Community Library Support, Customer Service Assistant, Library and Information Assistant, Community Engagement Assistant, Visitor Services Assistant, Community Hub Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Outreach and Events Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Customer Support Assistant.

Travel Requirements:

You may be required to visit other locations within Hampshire and therefore need to have the ability to travel, as necessary.

This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive.