Apprentice Library and Archive Service Assistant

The role will undertake a range of tasks supporting day‑to‑day services and the Sounds of the South West project. With guidance and hands‑on experience you will:

• Provide a friendly, professional service, responding to user enquiries in person, online or by phone.
• Help people find and use information in digital and physical formats.
• Retrieve and return books and archives safely and in good condition to the shelves and strongrooms.
• Organise and maintain data and digital resources using specialist systems and tools.
• Promote services, resources and activities to encourage engagement and usage.
• Support users in developing digital and information skills.
• Apply basic research skills to help answer information requests and direct more complex queries appropriately.
• Follow organisational procedures, including data protection, confidentiality and ethical use of information.

Key personal qualities that will help you succeed:

• Good people skills and an approachable attitude.
• Confidence asking questions and sharing information, including writing emails or creating social media content.
• Digital skills – accurate use of computers, online systems and databases.
• Problem‑solving mindset – thinking on your feet when someone needs help.
• Organised and methodical – keeping books, records and resources in order and sorting documents appropriately.
• Focused with good attention to detail – completing one task at a time.
• Awareness of fairness and inclusion – ensuring everyone can access information and services.

The apprenticeship is a fixed term of 18 months, funded by the Sounds of the South West project. You must be eligible for apprenticeship funding. The role is part‑time, Monday to Thursday, 29.6 hours per week, including 6 hours of off‑the‑job learning. Some Saturday working on a rota basis is required.

• Competitive salary.
• Defined benefit pension scheme based on your career average earnings, with an option for voluntary contributions.
• Generous annual leave entitlement, with the possibility to purchase additional leave.
• National award‑winning employee health and wellbeing programme.
• Employee benefits scheme providing access to discounts on a wide range of goods and services.