Library Assistant

Are you passionate about helping people and creating welcoming community spaces? West Sussex Libraries are looking for a friendly, confident, and resourceful Library Assistant to join our high-performing team. Our libraries are vibrant, inclusive spaces that serve a wide range of community needs. As a Library Assistant, you will be at the centre of this service, providing excellent customer support, helping visitors access resources, and ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the library.,

• Being the dedicated go-to person for customers at the library, passionately helping them with their questions and sincerely guiding them to other services
• Supporting the delivery of a wide range of reading events, including Rhyme Times and author talks.
• Using a variety of IT systems and services confidently and effectively including entering basic data into the library system, such as registering new members.
• Responding to enquiries from customers and colleagues, both in person and over the phone.
• Helping with reading recommendations
• Creating new themes for book displays.
• Maintaining, presenting, and processing book stock.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead engaging in person Story-time and Rhyme Time sessions, helping to inspire a love of reading, music, and language in young children. We are looking for a confident individual who can bring stories, nursery rhymes, songs, and simple musical activities to life, using props such as action rhymes, instruments, and puppets to create a fun and welcoming experience for families. To get a feel for what we deliver, you can listen to one of our online Storytimes on YouTube or watch a Rhyme Time session here: West Sussex Libraries - YouTube The variety of our work means that no two days are the same. We get huge job satisfaction from helping everyone who comes through our doors, and you could too!

Library Assistants welcome everyone with a positive attitude and a resilient approach to every request. Providing excellent customer service is central to our library service, creating dynamic and engaging environments. Flexibility, creativity, and initiative are essential qualities for success.,
• 4 GCSEs with 9-4 / A-C passes including Maths and English, or equivalent qualification/experience.
• Experience working collaboratively within a team to complete shared tasks.
• Digital skills to effectively assist customers, including navigating emails and accessing the library website, app, and eLibrary.
• Strong communication and customer service skills to engage effectively with the public.
• Good interpersonal skills with the confidence to engage effectively with children, families, and customers of all ages.
• Capable of consistently meeting deadlines and adapting to the varied demands of each day, ensuring smooth and effective service.
• Skilled in taking initiative and applying sound judgment, while unwaveringly adhering to library practices and procedures.
  
  Haywards Heath Library is a vibrant, welcoming community hub, conveniently located opposite Mid Sussex District Council and home to our Registration Service. It's a lively, accessible space that offers a great environment to work and connect with residents.
Watch a video tour of Haywards Heath Library. We are looking for friendly, enthusiastic, and resourceful individuals who have exceptional digital skills and a genuine passion to make a difference to the local community. It's not just about the books! We are looking for someone who understands the power of community and the importance of fostering a love for reading in people of all ages.

Salary: £24,796 to £25,185 per annum, (pro rata for part time) and an entitlement to Saturday Enhancement for working 7 hours 5 minutes, 1 in 2 Saturdays. Contract Type: Fixed term contract until 31 March 2027. Final start and end dates will be confirmed with the successful candidate., From access to our Employee Assistance Programme to training and development opportunities, we aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do. We think libraries are great places to work, where you can make a difference to local communities every day. Find out more about the variety that comes with working in a library and hear first-hand from some of our library staff here: Library Jobs at West Sussex Libraries You will benefit from 25 days annual leave (pro rata for part time) rising to 28 days (pro rata for part time) after 5 years' service plus the opportunity to buy additional leave, an excellent local government pension scheme as well as a range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers.