Read more

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils; Richmond; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

40 days annual leave

Flexible working

Generous pension

Job summary

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils Libraries are seeking a friendly Library Assistant to join our high-performing team. You will deliver excellent customer service, issue and return books, and support day-to-day operations across our borough's three libraries.

The standard pattern is Saturdays 9:30am–4:00pm or Sundays 1:00–5:00pm / 1:15–5:15pm, with travel to different sites as required. You should be resilient, confident and able to handle a busy, public-facing environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in Fast-Paced, Service-Focused Environments- You should have experience working—either in a paid or voluntary capacity—in a high-pressure environment where high standards of service delivery are expected.
• Team work- You should be able to demonstrate your contribution to the success of an effective team.
• Problem solving-You should have experience responding to queries and resolving problems effectively.
• Managing Multiple Priorities-Your ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced setting, with minimal supervision, is essential.
• Customer Service- You should be able to demonstrate confidence and strong resilience by maintaining composure and responding effectively and professionally when dealing with challenging or difficult service users.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the issue and return of books and other resources
• Help customers use public computers, e-resources, and self-service kiosks
• Support events and activities
• Maintain a safe, welcoming environment for all

Skills

Fast-paced service

Teamwork

Problem solving

Multitasking

Customer service

Job description

Permanent, Part- Time

Other Essential Information

The standard working pattern for this role is working every Saturday 9.30am – 4.00pm, OR every Sunday 1:00-5:00pm / 1:15-5:15pm

Objective of Role

OUR VISION: How Richmond upon Thames Libraries see the future.

‘Communities within Richmond upon Thames will realise their potential through the personal, professional, social and cultural development opportunities provided by their library service.’

We operate a high-performing library service that is highly regarded by the community. As a Library Assistant, your role will be to support the delivery of this borough-wide service by ensuring excellent customer service and carrying out a range of administrative duties to facilitate the day-to-day operations.

Modern public libraries are vibrant and inclusive spaces, open to all members of the community. Our staff must be resilient, confident, and resourceful in order to manage the often complex and challenging situations that can arise in such dynamic customer facing environments.

Most of your work will involve frontline customer service, including issuing and returning items, maintaining and caring for resources, assisting with information searches and enquiries, supporting events, and helping visitors access the full range of services offered by the library.

About the Role

Are you passionate about helping people and creating welcoming community spaces? Richmond upon Thames Libraries are looking for a friendly, confident, and resourceful Library Assistant to join our high-performing team.

Our libraries are vibrant, inclusive spaces that serve a wide range of community needs. As a Library Assistant, you’ll be at the heart of this service—providing excellent customer support, helping visitors access resources, and ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the library.

What you’ll do:

• Assist with the issue and return of books and other resources
• Help customers use public computers, e-resources, and self-service kiosks
• Support events and activities
• Maintain a safe, welcoming environment for all

You will be required to work at any of the three libraries open on Sundays within the borough. As such, you must be able to travel to and undertake duties at any library, occasionally at short notice.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Experience in Fast-Paced, Service-Focused Environments- You should have experience working—either in a paid or voluntary capacity—in a high-pressure environment where high standards of service delivery are expected.
• Team work- You should be able to demonstrate your contribution to the success of an effective team.
• Problem solving-You should have experience responding to queries and resolving problems effectively.
• Managing Multiple Priorities-Your ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced setting, with minimal supervision, is essential.
• Customer Service- You should be able to demonstrate confidence and strong resilience by maintaining composure and responding effectively and professionally when dealing with challenging or difficult service users.

Indicative Recruitment timeline

Closing Date: 27th September 2026

Shortlisting Date: From 28th October 2026

Interview Date: 2nd- 5th November 2026

Test/Presentation:

As part of the selection process, there will be a test to assess your proficiency in Microsoft Office, and your ability to retrieve information from the internet.

It is likely that we will close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received.Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any

reasonable adjustments

throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of

benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.

£26,461 to £29,218 actual salary per annum