Assistant Librarian

Scale 5: Starting salary £31,716, pa rising in annual increment to £33,204 per annum incl LW, plus enhanced pay for weekend work.

2 x Permanent - Part time contract

Do you enjoy helping people? Do you love books and reading? Are you confident in using IT? If so, Lambeth is looking for enthusiastic people like you to join our team.

As an Assistant Librarian you will help people in their use of the library. Duties will include helping users of all ages in their use of the library, including delivering events, answering enquiries, using IT and keeping the library tidy and welcoming.

As a senior member of staff you will also be required to be in charge of the library, opening and closing the building, supervising staff and taking responsibility for the smooth running of the service. Previous experience of working in a library or a similar environment is therefore desirable.

About Us:

It is an exciting time to join Lambeth Council, we have bold ambitions for the future of Lambeth’s communities and residents through our Lambeth 2030 Plan ‘Our Future, Our Lambeth. To deliver on these ambitions, we have embarked our transformational One Lambeth Programme ensuring we are ‘connected by purpose,’ in everything we do to deliver excellence. We are proud to have recently developed a refreshed set of One Lambeth Values and Behaviours that were developed for staff by staff; Equity, Ambition, Kindness, and Accountability. For more information, please have a look at our dedicated One Lambeth Values and Behaviours page.

About the Borough:

Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community of over 317,600 residents. Stretching from the dynamic neighbourhood of Streatham in the South to the iconic landmarks of Waterloo in the North, we are proud to be the 9th largest borough in London. Our diversity is our strength, with more than 130 languages spoken, making Lambeth the home of the Windrush generation, London's largest LGBTQ+ community, and a thriving Portuguese-speaking community.

With exceptional schools, lush green spaces including Brockwell Park, cultural gems like the Black Cultural Archives, and world-renowned institutions such as St Thomas's Hospital, Lambeth offers an enriching and dynamic environment.

About the Team:

Lambeth Libraries have ten libraries spread across the borough. The libraries are well-used, supporting people of all ages. Our staff are passionate about encouraging a love of reading, helping people get online and learn new skills. We run many events and activities from weekly Wriggle and Rhyme groups for babies and small children to festivals with high-profile authors. We encourage staff to be involved in the wider library network and develop their knowledge of books, customer skills and the digital world so they can further their career in libraries or use their learning as part of wider career path.

About the Role:

As an Assistant Librarian you will help people in their use of the library. Duties will include helping users of all ages with borrowing books or using IT and answering enquiries. You will help deliver events and activities and create a friendly and welcoming environment.

As a senior member of the team you will also be required to be in charge of the library, opening and closing the building, supervising staff and taking responsibility for the smooth running of the service. Previous experience of working in a library or a similar environment is therefore required.

The job can be demanding physically so you will be able to cope with the physical demands of the job: lifting, moving furniture, moving around the library to help library customers access materials and services.

We welcome applicants from under-represented areas in our workforce. This includes young residents, Portuguese-speaking and Somali communities.

There are two part time roles being appointed to. One for 17.5 hours a week and the other for 24.5 hours a week. The role requires some Saturday and evening work.

To be considered for interview, your CV and supporting statement will clearly evidence:

that you have

• excellent literacy and numeracy skills
• very good communication and customer care skills
• a wide knowledge of books and authors and are able to advise customers of all ages on books that they will enjoy
• good IT skills IT and are able find accurate and reliable information online
• previous experience of working in a library, bookshop or similar environment

and how in your work you have demonstrated our core behaviours of equity, ambition, kindness and accountability.

For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification in hyperlink below:

Job description & person specification

Contact Information:

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Susanna Barnes at sbarnes@lambeth.gov.uk

Recruitment Timelines:

Advert close date: 11:59pm on Monday 1st April 2024

Benefits:

We believe in rewarding our staff. When you join us, you'll gain access to a range of benefits, including:

• Participation in our 5 Staff Networks: Black, Asian, and Multi-Ethnic, LGBTQ+, Disability, Young Professionals, and Women's.
• Generous annual leave entitlement starting from 27 days, increasing to up to 35 days depending on length of service.
• Membership in the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Hybrid Working.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Occupational Sick Pay based on length of service.
• Discounts at local restaurants.
• Discount at our Active Lambeth Gyms.
• Learning and Development opportunities, including Apprenticeships.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Secure Bike Storage facilities at our Town Hall and Civic Centre.
• Trade Union Membership.

How to Apply:

If you're interest in this opportunity, click on the apply button and complete an online application.

In your supporting statement, please clearly demonstrate how you meet the shortlist criteria marked with an 'A' at shortlist stage. We operate an anonymised application process, so be sure to remove personal details when uploading your CV or personal statement.

At Lambeth, we are dedicated to providing quality services and equal opportunities for all. We are committed to safer recruitment and are proud to be a Stonewall diversity champion, a Living Wage Employer, and to guarantee interviews for all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role. For a full list of our accreditations, please click here.

Successful candidates will be asked to apply for an Enhanced Certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Further information about the DBS can be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/dbs

In addition, you will also be required to undertake a Cifas check. Further information about Cifas can be found here Cifas