* Category: Libraries
* Contract type: Fixed term
* Working hours: 30 hours per week
* Posted on: 4 July 2025
* Closing date: 27 July 2025
* Directorate: Resources
* Location: HMP Send Library, Woking, Surrey, GU23 7LJ
Description
This role has a starting salary of £27,093 per annum, based on a 30 hour working week.
We are excited to be recruiting for an enthusiastic and self-motivated Prison Librarian to manage our library at HMP Send Library. Surrey Libraries are responsible for four prison libraries in Surrey – HMP Coldingley, HMP Downview, HMP High Down and HMP Send. You will become part of this team sharing advice and ideas to ensure a comprehensive library service. Within Send Library you will manage four Prisoner Orderlies.
Our aim within prison libraries is to provide an accessible service with a focus on expanding knowledge, finding pleasure in learning, developing crucial literacy skills, and enabling effective rehabilitation. It also promotes reading as a source of pleasure and provides prisoners with opportunities for wider cultural engagement. Equipping prisoners with reading skills allows them to embark on a path towards reintegration into society.
Rewards and Benefits
* 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
* Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
* An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
* Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
* Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
* A generous local government salary related pension
* Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
* 2 paid volunteering days per year
* Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
About the Role
As the Prison Librarian, you will run lively events and activities programmes, including book groups, writing groups, reading initiatives such as Reading Ahead and author events. As well as this, you will promote family reading by encouraging prisoners to record a story to send home, arranging workshops and involvement in family days.
You will be expected to work on your own using initiative, taking full responsibility for the library, including supervising the Prisoner Orderlies. In addition, you will work closely with the Education Department and partner agencies to provide an integrated Library service.
You will be expected to adhere to all prison security guidance and attend training as necessary. The role also includes heavy lifting and often requires being on your feet for long periods of time.
This is a challenging but highly rewarding role and enthusiasm for reading and learning is essential. Working independently, you will play a key role in encouraging prisoners to use the library effectively for educational, recreational, and legal purposes.
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:
* Excellent oral and written communication skills
* Ability to remain calm under pressure in a sometimes-volatile environment
* Experience of supervising and mentoring
* Ability to work using your own initiative as well as managing a team
* A passion for reading and learning
* Experience of using IT systems and data collection
Application Questions
To apply, alongside your CV, you will be asked to answer the following questions:
* What are your motivations for applying to be a Prison Librarian at Surrey County Council?
* How would you approach creating a diverse and inclusive library collection that reflects the needs of the prison population?
* How do you stay motivated and maintain a positive attitude in a demanding work environment?
* What personal qualities do you think are essential for a Prison Librarian, and how do you embody these qualities?
Please note an enhanced vetting process will be required for this role and will be undertaken by the Prison Service before the successful candidate can start and takes around eight weeks.
Rota
Week 1 hours Week 2 hours
Monday 12:00-19:00 6 off 0
Tuesday 09:30-17:00 6.5 12:00-19:00 6
Wednesday 12:00-19:00 6 09:30-17:00 6.5
Thursday 09:30-17:00 6.5 09:30-17:00 6.5
Friday 09:00-14:00 5 09:00-14:00 5
Saturday off 0 10:00-17:00 6
One hour for break except on Fridays
This rota is subject to temporary or long-term revision to meet the needs of the library service.
Contact Us
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 27/07/2025 with interview dates to be confirmed.
We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
Local Government Reorganisation
Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.
Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.
Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values .
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:
* The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
* The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.
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