Library Assistant - Whitley Library

Job description

Reading has 7 libraries, 1 home library service, and a growing digital service, used by c.250,000 people every year.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role:
Whitley Library – 4.19 average hours per week
(South Reading Community Hub, 252 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, RG2 7QA)

Tuesdays: 4.00pm - 7:05pm

Saturdays: (1 in 3) 9:45am - 1:05pm

Please note that due to frontline service needs these working hours are non-negotiable.

As a Library Assistant you will contribute to providing a best value public service by directly serving library customers and helping to meet their needs.

The primary purpose of the post is to serve library customers.

The secondary purpose is to carry out administrative tasks within the library which contribute to the provision of the public service. Such tasks will include returning books to the shelves and keeping the books in correct order. This may also include jacketing and labelling books, printing lists of requested books etc.

Duties include:

• Being the public face of the library service, working on library desks and greeting customers.
• Good physical fitness is required as this is an active role, standing and serving customers and lifting and carrying piles of books.
• Using ICT skills to learn the library computer systems and provide guidance to customers on the use of computers, tablets and self-service machines.
• Maintaining a high level of attention to detail and accuracy when processing documents
• Working effectively within different teams to promote the service to all.
• Participating in and delivering events and activities such as coffee mornings, Rhymetimes and the Summer Reading Challenge.
• To act as an evacuation officer/fire warden – on hearing the fire alarm follow procedures in a calm, profession manner, clearing the library and ensuring customers are led to safety.

If you are looking for a job that offers you the opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives and are a resilient and friendly team player with a customer focused attitude, we would love to hear from you!

You’ll be part of a team that relies on everyone to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading

Drive Efficiency - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently, and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively

Be Ambitious - aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential

Make a Difference to Reading - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity

Our offer:

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please contact: [email protected]

Closing Date: Thursday 10th July 2025

Interview Date: Wednesday 23rd July 2025

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Strong applicants who are not offered the post may be offered a casual contract.

We do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.