Community Library Assistant

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and versatile person to help us shape the future of Cambridgeshire Libraries. We maintain a high-quality public library service, working in partnership with a range of other organisations and community groups.

Our Community Library Assistants are the first point of contact for members of the public who are visiting and using our Libraries, and consequently the role is varied and allows staff to develop many different skills.

This role is based at Cambourne Library, however you must be able to travel to any of the other libraries within the District (Comberton, Great Shelford, Linton and Sawston) so access to own transport is essential.

This is a part time post working the following hours.

Community Library Assistant Cambourne Working Hours

Week 1

Week 2

We want to recognise and celebrate the diversity of our local communities and be responsive to their needs. We also want to ensure that we are a fair and equitable employer, striving to achieve a diverse workforce that has the ability to understand, communicate and interact with people across cultures. We therefore encourage applications from all areas of our community.

Interviews will be held at Cambourne Library on 16th or 17th September.

Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful candidates will be responsible for creating a friendly and welcoming library space for all customers and volunteers. You will be able to multi-task, be flexible and enjoy working under pressure. There will be scope for working in other locations, so flexibility and adaptability is a must. Due to the locations of the libraries access to a vehicle is essential.

IT skills are essential for this role and full training will be given on library specific systems and processes. The role involves a significant amount of standing, bending, carrying books and pushing heavy trollies.

You will:

• be confident using your initiative.
• have excellent communication and digital skills.
• be able to work with volunteers.
• be able to quickly master the varied aspects of library routines, including front line customer care, using the library management system, the self-service machines, handling cash, stock requests and stock circulation procedures.
• demonstrate a mature and professional attitude.
• be able to work collaboratively with partners in the building.

These is a permanent 18.5 hour post. The salary is pro rata to reflect this.

The successful candidate will have a flair for working with people, able to create a friendly and welcoming environment for a diverse range of customers. They will be excellent at multi-tasking, be quick and efficient, and enjoy working under pressure.

The candidate will be passionate about what public libraries can offer, and able to promote our services. Although there is plenty of routine work, there is also scope to be creative. Training will be given on specific library systems, but an ability to work with IT is assumed. Although library experience is an advantage, we would also like to hear from candidates who have demonstrated exceptional customer service skills in other contexts.

We value our colleagues in Cambridgeshire County Council and have developed a number of benefits in addition to the basics like annual leave, sick pay, pension and mileage...

• A comprehensive wellbeing package to cover all aspects of wellbeing
  , both in and out of work, which can also be accessed by your family
• Buy up to 4 weeks additional annual leave (pro-rata) through our salary sacrifice scheme
• Take your bank holidays flexibly to better suit your personal circumstances
• Make Additional Voluntary Contributions (Shared AVCs) to your pension with tax and National Insurance savings
• Access to development opportunities
  , apprenticeships and qualified coaches to support your personal and professional growth
• Paid volunteering hours each year so you can make a positive impact on our community during your normal working day
• Access to Peer…