Senior Library Assistant

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Annual leave 28-32 days

Training & development

Health resources

Cycle to work

Car salary sacrifice scheme

Discounts

Job summary

Gateshead Council’s Libraries and Heritage Service is seeking a Senior Library Assistant on a fixed-term contract until 31 August 2028. Part-time 18.5 hours, Monday to Friday with occasional evenings until 7pm. Salary £27,709-£29,071 per annum pro rata.

You will supervise staff, run events, support digital access, and help residents learn and thrive in Gateshead. Role involves outreach in libraries and community venues, delivering services with a focus on inclusivity and excellent customer care.

Qualifications

• Passion for books, reading, arts or heritage and ability to inspire others to engage with library services.
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
• Confident with digital technology and IT systems to support customers online.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for a wide range of customers.
• Collaborative team player who can also work independently when needed.
• Experience in a library, community or customer-focused environment.
• A strong commitment to excellent customer service and welcoming spaces.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and facilitate promotional activities and events with partners.
• Supervise Library Assistants and manage building operations.
• Engage residents to use library services and promote reading.
• Provide practical IT support and digital guidance to users.
• Signpost residents to housing, unemployment, debt/health services as needed.
• Ensure health and safety and report issues to the Manager.
• Handle clerical duties and stock management; cash handling where applicable.
• Assist customers and manage challenging behaviour when required.

Skills

Passion for books

GCSE English/Maths

Digital literacy

Communication skills

Teamwork

Library/Customer service experience

Customer service orientation

Job description

Senior Library Assistant - Fixed Term Contract until 31st August 2028. Part Time 18.5 hours Between Monday and Friday, some evening working until 7pm. Shifts to be discussed at interview. Salary: £27,709-£29,071 per annum pro rata

Help people connect, learn and thrive in Gateshead.

Who we are & what we stand for

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading – we might be the perfect match.

We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.

We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward‑thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.

At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi‑time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

Inspire learning. Build connections. Strengthen communities.

The Libraries and Heritage Service at Gateshead Council plays a vital role in supporting learning, wellbeing and community connection across the borough. Our libraries are inclusive, welcoming spaces that enable access to free books and heritage collections, trusted information and digital resources, while promoting reading for pleasure and wellbeing at every stage of life.

Our teams deliver activities across Gateshead in library buildings and community venues, working with partners build links with diverse residents and support of people of all ages. We work with schools and teachers to deliver targeted activities and support SEND groups to engage with our services. We support people to improve digital skills and access new technologies.

Help Shape the Future of Libraries in Gateshead

As a Senior Library Assistant, you'll play a vital role in delivering high‑quality library and heritage services across Gateshead. Working with residents, community groups, and partner organisations, you'll help create welcoming spaces where people can access information, develop digital skills, discover reading opportunities, and connect with support services. You'll supervise staff, lead activities and events, support the day‑to‑day operation of the library, and ensure excellent customer care is at the heart of everything you do. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about books, reading, arts, heritage and making a real difference in their community.

What you'll get to do:

• Deliver and facilitate promotional activities and events within libraries, the wider community and with internal and external partners.
• Supervise the work of Library Assistants and ensure effective operational use of the building.
• Engage with residents to use a range of library services, promote reading and the borrowing of books to ensure the Council’s health, wellbeing and Thrive priorities are achieved.
• Provide practical IT support and digital guidance to library users, helping people build confidence in using computers, mobile devices, online services, email, and digital resources.
• Provide information and support to residents and signpost them to the relevant services, agencies and professionals such as housing, unemployment, debt/finance and health where they have presented with difficult or complex needs to encourage all residents to thrive.
• To ensure the general health and safety of the building and report any areas of concern to the Manager on duty.
• To provide general clerical and administrative duties which may include assisting manager to maintain, promote and develop stock and cash handling and cash reconciliation to ensure an effective and efficient service for customers.
• Provide support to a wide range of customers and have the ability to occasionally deal with challenging behaviour.

What you will bring (Essential Criteria):

• A genuine passion for books, reading, arts, culture or heritage, and a desire to inspire others to engage with library services.
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
• Confidence using digital technology and IT systems, with the ability to support customers in accessing online services and digital resources.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships and understand the needs of a wide range of customers.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively as part of a team, while also being confident working independently when required.
• Experience working in a library, community setting, or other customer focused environment.
• A strong commitment to delivering excellent customer service and creating welcoming, inclusive spaces for all.
• The ability to remain calm, professional and customer‑focused when dealing with sensitive situations or occasional challenging behaviour.

What’s in it for you

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience. Salary for this role is £27,709-£29,071 per annum pro rata.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary – we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
• Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax‑efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand‑new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions – a cost‑effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services – plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).

Our commitment to you

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.

The Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process.

Interviews will be held Wednesday 2nd December 2026.