Library Assistant - Eastbourne

Job Description

If you have a passion for customer service and a keenness to learn about our libraries, we would like to hear from you!

The modern library is more than an opportunity to borrow a free book. We are open to all members of the community, who visit our libraries with a wide range of needs such as getting online, job-seeking, health and well-being, and national and local information. We also work in partnership with a number of different organisations, some based in our buildings and others visiting to hold sessions.

As a Library Assistant, your duties will include staffing the customer counter, answering a wide range of enquiries, and maintaining our service provision. You will perform routine tasks such as answering phone calls, issuing items to customers, cash handling, and organising files. You will also be required to support library events, such as children’s events over the summer, and weekly events, such as Rhymetimes and Storytimes.

Key to the Library Assistant role is being able to signpost people to what they are seeking. Knowledge and experience of working in a library is not essential as full training will be provided. The ability to be flexible is essential, as you will be required to work at other libraries in East Sussex, for which travel costs from your base are covered. 

We are looking for candidates who:

• Have customer service and communication skills

• Have ICT skills and an interest in further development

• Work well in a team

• Are self-motivated

• Can undertake manual handling tasks

• Are willing to learn and undertake training as required

Work rota:

Week 1: Monday 9:30am - 5:00pm 

               Tuesday 9:30am - 5:00pm

               Wednesday - OFF

               Thursday 9:30am - 6:00pm

               Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm

               Saturday 9:30am - 5:00pm

Week 2: Monday 9:30am - 5:00pm 

               Tuesday 9:30am - 5:00pm

               Wednesday 9:30am - 1:00pm

               Thursday 9:30am - 6:00pm

               Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm

               Saturday - OFF

Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for more information.

This post is fixed term for up to 12 months.

To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will be using your Supporting Statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.

Your supporting statement should be no more than 2000 words long and must also describe how you would travel to other libraries when required.

For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page and our statement on the use of AI.

In-person interviews will be held at Eastbourne Library within 2 weeks of the closing date.

Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details.

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.

For an informal discussion, please contact Michele Brooker, Library Manager, on [phone removed]. 

For work that makes a difference, choose East Sussex!

About us

Additional Information
Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.
If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.