BBS Recruitment is currently recruiting for an experienced Prison Librarian to work for our client based in Lambeth and surrounding areas.
Duties & Responsibilites of a Prison Librarian:
* Responsible for the day to day running of all library provision within HMP Brixton.
* The provision of excellent and quality-centred library services designed to meet the recreational, educational, cultural and information needs of prisoners.
* To implement targets according to development priorities for the prison library as set out by the Development team or the prison authorities.
* The development and maintenance of efficient and effective operations systems (e.g. stock purchasing, cataloguing, circulation management, procedure, etc.).
* Assisting the Development Librarians (Adult or Learning) in the development of the library service, undertaking an annual review of the library, updating and modernising the service as necessary.
* Responsible to the Head of Learning & Skills for all internal prison operations.
* Responsible to the Development Librarians (Adult or Learning) for professional library operations.
* Participation in recruiting and selecting Prisoner Assistants as required. Supervising their work and training and that of any other staff assigned to the library (arranging duty rotas, etc.), and completing Individual Learning Plans.
* Maintaining awareness of the profile of the prison community and running regular surveys to support reading and information needs.
* Selecting within the guidelines laid down by senior and specialist staff a wide range of materials to match user requirements, taking particular care to meet the needs of minority groups and to provide basic skills materials.
* Liaising with uniformed prison staff to ensure access to the library for all prisoners.
* Liaising with the prison Education Department to provide library support for education courses.
* Liaising with other relevant external bodies that support prisoners and their families
* Providing an enquiry and reference service tailored to prisoner’s needs and undertaking research where necessary in particularly to support legal queries.
* Maintain and promote a local information file, and disseminate information as appropriate, to support rehabilitation on release.
* Exploiting stock through a programme of displays, booklets etc. to generate interest and promote reading.
Working Hours: This post is for set working times, to cover opening hours, starting at 8am. There is no flexible working. The post is 24.5 hours per week on a Monday to Friday rota.
Requirements:
* Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills
* Able to work effectively with minimal supervision to meet challenging objectives and deadlines
* Experience of working in a prison or library or equivalent environment?