Job Introduction
Job Title: Library Assistant
Starting Salary: £25,185 with the opportunity to progress to £26,403 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours: various hours available
Location: Libraries across Hertfordshire
Contract Type: Permanent/Fixed Term
Directorate: Resources
About the team
Do you want to make a difference in the community and help people to enrich their lives, whilst progressing in a whole new career? Then apply for a job with Hertfordshire Libraries. We are open for expressions of interest for any of our upcoming Library vacancies. One of those roles could be for you!
Hertfordshire’s libraries are more than collections of books. They are busy hubs for community activities, places to access digital technology, and gateways to reading, information and wellbeing. Our service points include small village libraries, town and city libraries, Hertfordshire Libraries is a people focussed service that exists to help people to live better lives for longer. All of which means today’s Library Assistants need to be passionate about proactively helping people of all ages and from all backgrounds.
For more information about Hertfordshire Libraries and the services they offer please visit the Working for Hertfordshire's Libraries page.
About the role
Library Assistant roles offer successful applicants the opportunity to get involved in a hugely varied range of activities.
- You will be actively promoting and supporting the use of all of our library resources and helping customers to find the information that they need.
- You will help to deliver a programme of library activities and events such as Baby Rhyme Time, as well as supporting the Library Manager in all aspects of the day to day running of the library.
- In some libraries you will be involved in helping us to deliver services that are unique to that service point. This may include, for example, assisting people to use our CreatorSpace resources, including 3D printers and virtual reality devices.
- All of our Library Assistant roles help to make a positive difference to people’s lives.
About you
We look for people who are resilient, friendly, confident, and outgoing. Who will be a reliable and flexible team player who is willing to engage with the full range of services, and events that libraries offer.
Essential:
- Experience in delivering a high standard of Customer Service to members of the public.
- Resilient – ability to support customers with a wide variety of needs in a busy environment.
- Evidence of working collaboratively with a team to achieve aims and objectives
- Strong communication skills
- Demonstrable time management skills in organising and prioritising.
- Competent ICT skills, including Microsoft Office, Internet and other computer-based resources.
Desirable:
- Experience of meeting KPIs and other targets set by Team Leads
- Skill or experience in promoting events and services.
- Evidence of, or experience in, problem solving
- Ability to support members of the public with queries and use of ICT.
- Knowledge of Library Services.
We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.
This job role is Level 5. Please locate the job profile here:
Job profiles - Community services
How to apply:
As part of your application, please specify library and hour preferences when asked to do so in the forms. Please upload your most recent CV, ensuring it is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and any relevant training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.
Next Steps:
Your application will be prescreened to ensure it meets the minimum criteria. If you do meet the criteria, your application will be held in a talentpool.
When a Library vacancy becomes available, we will match the details against your preferences and contact you with the rota and any additional information. If you are interested in being put forward for the role, please let us know and your application/CV will be submitted for review. We will be in touch to let you know the outcome of review.
Secondment
This role is open to secondments for eligible employees who work for HCC. If you wish to apply on a secondment basis, you must have your line manager’s approval before submitting your application. You will be asked to confirm this within your application form. If you are not eligible for a secondment (e.g., you are currently on a fixed‑term contract that would end before this positions ends) or you indicate that your manager cannot support a secondment, your application will be considered on a fixed‑term contract basis instead.
Additional information
Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.