Senior Library Assistant - Localities

Wokingham Borough Council; Woodley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 27 days rising to 32

Local government pension scheme

Employee assistance programme

Discounts

On-site gym

Car & cycle to work

Job summary

Wokingham Borough Council is seeking a Senior Library Assistant to support and develop a popular library service. The role involves supervising day-to-day library operations, delivering excellent customer care, and working across sites within the borough as needed.

The successful candidate will manage staff, handle escalated queries, and contribute to service improvements, with hours focused around the Woodley Library opening times and occasional evenings/weekends.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Good IT skills including MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Ability to work evenings/weekends and travel to other sites as required.

Responsibilities

• Keyholder for library sites, often the most senior on site.
• Make day-to-day operational decisions and resolve issues independently.
• Coordinate staff and volunteer deployment to cover service needs.
• Resolve complex system queries and escalate where appropriate.
• Build relationships with council departments and community groups.
• Supervise health and safety and safeguarding responsibilities.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

IT skills

Microsoft Office

Education

GCSEs or equivalent

Tools

Spydus library system

Job description

Employer: Wokingham Borough Council
Salary: £29,542 – £32,047 Per Annum, Plus Benefits
Location: Woodley Library, Headley Road, Woodley
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Evenings/Weekends/Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week. Average working week.
DBS Check: Yes
Closing Date: 11/09/2026 at 23:00
Reference: 713054

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and highly motivated Senior Library Assistant to help deliver our popular library service which is constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of our communities. We deliver traditional library services as well as new digital technologies, and also supporting the delivery of wider council services.

This is a permanent post, working an average of 37 hours over a three week rota which includes Saturdays. The role is initially based at Woodley Library, and the hours worked will be focussed around library opening hours.

The successful candidate will require excellent communication skills and take responsibility for the day to day operation of the library, delivering excellent customer service and supporting the Library and Community Area Lead in managing the site and staff, and implementing change across the team. The successful candidate will also be required to cover other libraries, so must be willing to travel.

General experience of working in a public library or similar customer service environment would be an advantage, however most important is the ability to deliver excellent customer care. An understanding of library policy at a local and national level would also be an advantage.

• The post involves regular lone working, as well as evening and weekend work.
• The role is based at Woodley Library, but the post holder will be required to work at other sites across the borough.

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

A generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays

Enrolment to an excellent local government pension scheme

An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline

A range of local & lifestyle discounts

Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)

Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes

And much more!

Key Responsibilities:

• Keyholder for library sites, often acting as the most senior member of staff on site, including lone working where required.
• Act as the senior responsible officer on site, making day-to-day operational decisions, resolving issues independently, and escalating where appropriate.
• Responsible for the safe and effective day-to-day operation of the library, including coordinating staff and volunteer deployment to ensure adequate service cover, resolving complex Library Management System (Spydus) queries, and handling escalated customer complaints.
• Build and maintain relationships with council departments and community groups to support delivery of library services and events.
• Undertake administrative tasks delegated by Area Leads that support the effective operation of the service.
• Oversee frontline customer service delivery, ensuring a high standard of resident experience, including direct customer interaction to resolve enquiries, provide guidance on library services and digital resources, and signpost to wider council services where appropriate.
• Health and safety and safeguarding responsibilities

Candidate Requirements:

• Good general standard of education (e.g. GCSEs), including literacy and numeracy skills.
• Practical work experience in a similar environment.
• Good IT skills including office software such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel
• Good interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to actively listen in order to extract and assess the important information.
• Ability to deal effectively with difficult customers and situations.
• Ability to provide direction, support and motivation to staff and volunteers during shifts.
• Ability to maintain high standards of customer service and support others to deliver this.
• Experience of supporting service or process improvements.
• Experience of administering processes to tight timescale and with high levels of accuracy.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time, carry books, and help lift heavy boxes of books.
• Demonstrates a positive, proactive and professional approach to work.

Our Area:

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools including 69 primary and 21 secondary, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

Closing date: Friday 10th September 2026, 11pm
Interview date: TBC

AI in Applications:

We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.

However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.

We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment.All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.