Senior Library Assistant

Newham Council; London; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic library service that is dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents. As a Senior Library Assistant, you will play a crucial role in delivering a range of services, from assisting customers and shelving books to providing digital skills support and running engaging community events. This position offers a unique opportunity to work in a vibrant environment that values inclusivity and creativity. If you are passionate about libraries and enjoy working with the public, this role is perfect for you. Embrace the chance to make a difference in your community while promoting a love for reading and learning.

Qualifications

• Excellent customer care skills and experience are essential.
• Experience in libraries or similar customer-focused roles is required.

Responsibilities

• Assist customers with transactions and provide digital assistance.
• Support events and activities, including storytimes for children.
• Oversee staff activity and manage library operations as needed.

Skills

Customer Care Skills

Digital Assistance

Literacy Skills

Numeracy Skills

IT Skills

Event Management

Education

Experience in Libraries or Customer-Focused Roles

Job description

Manor Park Senior Library Assistant

Full time 36 hours - Monday - Saturday including evenings

£29,346 - £30,630 per annum

Newham Libraries is an ambitious library service that plays a pivotal role in improving the quality of life of our residents. Prior to the pandemic, the number of visits to libraries and the number of books borrowed were increasing year on year and are now bouncing back again. The service is well placed within the Council and works closely with Public Health and other services. Key priorities for the service are ensuring that our book stock is representative of and relevant to our communities; encouraging Reading for Pleasure for all; developing our Digital Lending offer; building on our innovative approach to the Summer Reading Challenge; developing our Under 5s offer; and delivering a high-quality library offer. There are 10 libraries across the borough delivering a high number of opening hours and a large number of events and activities.

Library and Senior Library Assistants have an essential role in delivering this ambition. They carry out a range of tasks including but not limited to:

1. Assisting customers with transactions;
2. Shelving of books and book displays;
3. Providing digital assistance and basic digital skills sessions;
4. Information provision and sign-posting;
5. Running or supporting events and activities including Under 5s storytimes;
6. Promoting books and reading.
7. Supporting outreach activities or resident forums.
8. As duty managers, Senior Library Assistants may be required to open and close buildings; take bookings and payments; oversee staff activity; and carry out cashing up / banking functions.

The candidate will have excellent customer care skills and experience, will enjoy helping people and be genuinely passionate about the role of libraries in providing a range of opportunities for our residents. They should have libraries or similar customer focused experience, love reading and talking about books, enjoy STEM and digital engagement, have a good level of literacy, numeracy and IT skills, experience of running activities, and enjoy working with the public.

Closing date: 27th December 2024

Additional Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.