Senior Library Assistant

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Local Government Pension

28 days annual leave (32 after 5 years

Hybrid working

Learning & Development

Cycle to Work

Salary sacrifice car scheme

Discounts via VIVUP

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking a Senior Library Assistant to deliver high quality library and heritage services across Gateshead. You will supervise staff, run events, support daily library operations and help residents access information, digital skills, reading opportunities and support services.

You will work in a welcoming, customer-focused environment with hybrid working options and a commitment to inclusive spaces.

Qualifications

• Genuine passion for books, reading, arts, culture or heritage.
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
• Confident with digital technology and IT systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative and able to work in a team or independently when required.
• Experience in a library, community setting, or customer-focused environment.
• Strong commitment to delivering excellent customer service and welcoming, inclusive spaces.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and facilitate promotional activities and events within libraries and with partners.
• Supervise Library Assistants and manage building operations.
• Engage residents to use library services and promote reading.
• Provide IT support and digital guidance to users.
• Signpost residents to housing, unemployment, debt/finance and health services.
• Ensure health and safety of the building and report concerns.
• Provide clerical duties including stock management and cash handling.
• Assist customers including occasionally challenging behaviour.

Skills

Passion for books

Communication skills

Digital literacy

Teamwork

Independent working

Education

GCSE English and Maths (4/C or above)

Job description

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:

Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• 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,
• 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).