Senior Library Assistant

Hillingdon Council; Uxbridge; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible Working Hours

Generous annual leave entitlement

Training and development opportunities

Employee wellbeing support

Perkbox Benefits

Job summary

Botwell Green Library in the London Borough of Hillingdon is seeking a Senior Library Assistant to help run day-to-day operations and deliver excellent customer service. You will support digital services, PCs and printing, and lead on library activities and promotions.

The role requires flexibility, strong communication skills and a commitment to welcoming, inclusive services for all customers; you may be asked to work across locations as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience in a customer-focused environment.
• Able to engage with a diverse range of customers including children, young people and adults.
• Confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills.
• Calm and professional when dealing with challenging situations.
• Flexible, reliable and able to adapt to changing priorities.
• Good IT skills and comfortable assisting customers with digital enquiries.

Responsibilities

• Deliver excellent customer service and assist with enquiries.
• Support customers with library services, digital resources, PCs and printing.
• Lead on delivery of activities, events and promotions.
• Act as keyholder and senior lead in the absence of a manager.
• Support colleagues and maintain a positive team environment.
• Assist with promotion and presentation of library stock and displays.
• Work flexibly across the library service to meet operational needs.
• Contribute to outreach and community engagement initiatives.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

IT skills

Flexibility

Teamwork

Digital literacy

Job description

About the role

Are you passionate about delivering excellent customer service and making a difference in your local community?

We are looking for an enthusiastic, flexible and customer-focused Senior Library Assistant to join our team at Botwell Green Library.

Botwell Green Library is a busy and vibrant library serving a diverse community. The library provides access to books, digital resources, information services, learning opportunities and a wide range of activities for children, young people and adults. As part of Hillingdon's library network, Botwell Green Library plays an important role in supporting literacy, digital inclusion and lifelong learning for local residents.

As a Senior Library Assistant, you will help ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of the library, provide excellent customer service, support the delivery of activities and events, and act as a senior point of contact in the absence of a manager. You will be confident engaging with customers from all backgrounds, assisting with enquiries, supporting people with technology and contributing to a welcoming and inclusive library environment. The role also includes leading on aspects of library activities and acting as an escalation point when managers are not on site.

As a Senior Library Assistant, you will:

• Deliver excellent customer service and assist customers with a range of enquiries.
• Support customers with library services, digital resources, public PCs and printing facilities.
• Lead on the delivery of activities, events and promotions.
• Act as a keyholder and senior lead in the absence of a manager, ensuring effective service delivery.
• Support colleagues and help maintain a positive team environment.
• Assist with the promotion and presentation of library stock and displays.
• Work flexibly across the library service to support operational needs.
• Contribute to outreach activities and community engagement initiatives.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience of working in a customer-focused environment.
• Enjoys working with a diverse range of customers, including children, young people and adults.
• Is a confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills.
• Can remain calm and professional when dealing with challenging situations.
• Is flexible, reliable and able to respond positively to changing priorities.
• Has good IT skills and is confident supporting customers with digital enquiries.
• Can work independently and use their initiative when required.
• Is enthusiastic about the role of libraries in supporting local communities.

Working pattern

This post is for 32 hours per week and the salary will be paid pro rata.

The working pattern for this post is:

Week 1

• Tuesday: 8.30am to 7.00pm
• Wednesday: 8.30am to 5.00pm
• Friday: 8.30am to 5.00pm
• Sunday: 9.30am to 1.00pm

Week 2

• Monday: 10.00am to 7.00pm
• Tuesday: 8.30am to 7.00pm
• Friday: 8.30am to 5.00pm
• Saturday: 8.30am to 5.00pm
• Sunday: 9.30am to 1.00pm

Please note: Applicants must be able to work the advertised shift pattern. We are looking for a flexible candidate who can also adapt to service requirements, including occasional work at other locations across the borough where required.

About us

At Hillingdon, putting our residents first is at the heart of everything we do. Our libraries are welcoming community spaces that provide access to information, learning opportunities, cultural activities and digital support. By joining our team, you will play an important role in helping residents connect, learn and thrive.

What we offer

In return, we offer:

• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Training and development opportunities
• Employee assistance and wellbeing support
• Discounts and benefits through our employee schemes

Additional benefits

• Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Perkbox Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Perkbox Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
• Trade Union Membership – The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees’ freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.

The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information

Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject tothe following pre-employment screening:

• Enhanced DBS Check
• 5 years of Referencing

Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.