Surrey County Council is committed to being an inclusive employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the assessment process, please do let us know. Appointed candidates will also have the opportunity to discuss any workplace adjustments that would remove or reduce barriers to carrying out the role successfully.

Based at Leatherhead Library, the starting salary for this role is £10,361 per annum based on a 15-hour working week (two-week rota basis). The full-time equivalent salary is £20,722.

Once upon a time (yep, we are doing this), there lived a group of books who wanted nothing more than for their stories to be read.

Before long, the books realised there was in fact more than just the stories within their covers to be shared. There was a whole other world of electronic information to be explored, computer coding to be taught, and Minecraft sessions to be hosted.

With so much to be offered to the community, the books quickly determined they could only do so by enlisting the help of a dedicated Library Assistant, someone with the flexibility to provide help and advice to library users at different times and from different locations.

Before embarking on their search for this person, the books carefully thought about who it was that they were looking for. They knew an enthusiasm for reading was a given, but it became clear that this Library Assistant would also need a positive attitude and the resilience to deal with diverse requests.

Once found, this Library Assistant would need to use their creativity and initiative to reach out to people across the land of Surrey. What was certain is that there would always be others to learn from along the way, to share ideas with and create a Library (a warm space, a place to explore, discover and learn) where everyone feels welcome and is treated with fairness and respect.

The end? Well not quite...

Now, to help us finish this story and ensure it has a happy ending, we need you! If you want to audition to be the main protagonist, and believe you have what it takes, we really want to hear from you!

The library service is so much more than stacking shelves and processing fines (ok it's a little bit of this but not only this!). Our vision is for our libraries to become hubs of the community that all are proud of, and we need people who share this passion to see them become more and more successful.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to answer the following questions along with uploading your CV:

1. What are your motivations for applying?

2. What do you think good customer service looks like from a Library Assistant?

3. Why do you feel the library is important to the community?

4. What would you do to attract more people to the library?

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 02/04/2023

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interviews to be held week commencing 12/04/2023. You will be asked to answer a few questions and read a short story, with interview questions provided in advance.

Rota

Week 1: Monday OFF, Tuesday 9-5, Wednesday OFF, Thursday 9.30-1, Friday 9.30-5, Saturday OFF

Week 2: Monday OFF, Tuesday OFF, Wednesday 10-4, Thursday 2-5, Friday 9-5, Saturday 9-1

Please note that the above rota is subject to temporary or long-term revision, when required, to meet the needs of the library service, including occasionally covering until 7pm.

Location

This role covers both Leatherhead and Bookham Libraries. You may also work at Dorking Library, which is in the same group, and will travel to other locations to support the wider library network as required.

There are no staff parking facilities at libraries in Surrey, however there are pay and display car parks close to most locations. If using public transport, please check what options are available for you to travel to individual locations, and when making your application, consider your travel costs and arrangements.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Benefits

From flexible working to job sharing (where possible) we are committed to providing a healthy work life balance. A laptop and mobile will be supplied if applicable to your role. You will benefit from 26 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service, a generous local government salary related pension, as well as the option to join our car lease scheme. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our website.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.