Weekend Library Assistant

Hours: 6.5 Hours Per Week

Term: Fixed until 31st March 2026

Interview Date: TBC

Closing Date: 18th October 2024

Salary: Grade 2 (£23,151.49 FTE)

We think that our Weekend Library Assistants are at the heart of our library service, and we have a great opportunity for you to join our Beeston Library team.

We’re looking for a friendly, self-motivated, and enthusiastic person with excellent customer service skills who loves helping others and who would relish the chance to inspire people to read, learn and enjoy culture.

You will be enthusiastic, self-motivated, energetic, and proactive in looking for ways to develop and improve library services and outcomes for customers. You will also be committed to supporting the delivery of arts, cultural and learning services delivered through libraries. You will have experience of working with the public including working with Children in either a paid or voluntary capacity and be able to work using your own initiative as well as part of a team.

You will also have experience of using computers and should be able to use ICT competently and securely. An interest in and knowledge of public library services, plus an interest in broader culture and learning are essential requirements of this post.

There are many facets to this role and as a Weekend Library Assistant, no two days would be the same. You may be delivering a fun session to under 5’s and their parents/carers; helping someone fill in a job application or helping to choose their perfect book to read. Our libraries offer a wide range of services, and you will make sure that everyone’s experience with us is a positive one.

If you think you have what we are looking for, then we would like to hear from you!

Hours: Every Saturday working 9.00 – 4.00 (30 minutes unpaid lunch break)

Job Description

Job Title: Weekend Library Assistant

Grade 2

Job Purpose

To act as the public face of Inspire, proactively promoting, signposting, delivering and supporting the full range of Inspire Cultural, Learning, Library and Information Services to customers

Key Responsibilities 

1. To engage with customers, providing direct help, support, guidance and high-quality customer service to enable them to fully access and benefit from the Inspire offer available at whichever library they are working in or signpost customers to the relevant Inspire Digital Services or other library venues as needed by the customer. 

2. To assist and/or support colleagues with tasks and administrative processes required for the delivery of the inspire offer 

3. To help promote, deliver and report on centrally programmed events and locally created activities to existing customers as well as new and potential customers within and outside of the library building. 

4. To work flexibly within libraries and across library locations under the direction of District and Site Managers to meet business needs and customer demand. 

5. To support volunteers to perform their role under the direction of the Site Manager 

6. To Keep up to date with service developments that impact on the Weekend Library Assistant 

7. In the absence of the Site Manager, be responsible
   • to open, lock up and ensure the security of the library site as required
   • for the maintenance and working order of library equipment
   • for the management of the building including dealing with contractors and reporting any building and operational problems that cannot be resolved locally to appropriate colleagues
   • to carry out keyholder duties as appropriate for library 

8. The post holder will work in accordance with all Inspire policies and procedures, Inspire Brand guidelines, all funder’s contractual requirements, and professional best 

9. The post holder will perform any duties or tasks assigned by management required to meet service needs as appropriate to the role. 

10. The post holder will assume the role of Appointed Person and/or First Aider as required

Education and Knowledge Required for the role 

1. Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of excellent customer
2. Knowledge of and interest in the Library Service and its
3. Knowledge of and interest in cultural and learning services

Skills and Experience 

1. Experience of working in, and contributing to, a team and an understanding of
2. Experience of working with the public of all ages, as paid employee or as a volunteer in a customer facing role.
3. Experience of organising your own work 

Inspire Competencies

Customer Service (Competency Level 3)

1. Demonstrates effective customer service skills – in person, online, email or on the phone - identifies and satisfies customer needs, adjusting their style with a friendly and professional approach as appropriate for the customer, respecting confidentiality, equality & diversity and prioritises the customer over tasks where appropriate
2. Responds positively to customer concerns, acts to resolve or reassure customers as needed, agrees solutions with the customer or hands over to an appropriate colleague
3. Responds positively to any complaint or suggestion and seeks to resolve it within limits of their authority or hands over to a more senior manager as appropriate

Deliver the service offer (Competency Level 2) 

1. Knows and/or accesses information to advise and promote the Inspire Service Offer to all customers – to meet their immediate needs and other services that could be of interest or benefit them
2. Embraces any changes to the offer and any associated changes to processes or working practices positively, takes responsibility for their own development and engages with and makes the most of development opportunities provided

Communicating well (Competency Level 3) 

1. Communicates clearly and effectively in person, on the phone and in writing respectfully and in a style appropriate to the person and situation and uses and engages with Inspire’s online communications
2. Communicates effectively in a meeting or other group situation, respectfully and in a style appropriate to the group and situation with a solutions-based / can-do approach
3. Debates, positively challenges and/or discusses issues with colleagues and line manager, sharing views and acknowledging and respecting the views of others, seeks to reach agreement and respects the final decision made

Working together (Competency Level 2) 

1. Adopts a friendly, helpful, supportive and respectful manner when working with others
2. Acts in a way that shows they are trustworthy, reliable and transparent in their dealings with others, respecting privacy and confidentiality as appropriate

Leading the way (Competency Level 1) 

1. Incorporates the spirit of Inspire’s mission, vision and values in the work they do with customers, colleagues and stakeholders, plays their part in implementing Inspire policies and procedures and management decisions

Working efficiently and cost effectively (Competency Level 2) 

1. Uses Inspire resources and their time effectively to meet service demand, objectives and/or targets
2. Plans ahead, making best use of time and resources available to achieve service delivery, maximising the use of technology available, minimising unnecessary travel or waste, prioritising work and working within spending limits

Skills and qualifications (Competency Level 2) 

1. GCSE (Grades 4-9¹ [previously A-C]) English and Maths or Level 2 Diploma (1^st Diploma) including: Demonstrable IT Skills (Inspire Recruitment Activity/test)
2. Use of Internet – information searching, Microsoft Office – Basic Skills
3. Good verbal and written communication skills