Location: Buckinghamshire County Wide
Overview
Buckinghamshire Library service is looking to recruit additional Casual Library Resources Officers to work in our libraries, particularly across the south of the county.
You will work ad hoc hours as and when cover is required for library staff, at different locations within Buckinghamshire - this will typically be to cover annual leave, sickness, and vacancies. You will be required to work as part of a team to maintain the efficient delivery of library services.
The main duties in this post are to welcome customers into the library, give them the help they need to find books and information, and make full use of the libraries' ICT facilities. In addition, Casual Library Resources Officers have a role in promoting libraries to local communities, and working effectively with volunteers.
We are looking for people with customer facing library or retail experience, who have excellent communication and ICT skills, including good research skills. You must be willing to join in with activities involving adults and children, and have a positive, outgoing attitude.
This is a casual appointment and you will be paid an hourly rate of £14. Holiday entitlement is 12.07% on top for every hour worked.
About us
Buckinghamshire Libraries are responsible for delivering a modern library service through 29 libraries to communities throughout the county, using a mixed model of staffed, volunteer-supported and volunteer-led community libraries.
We are currently in the process of launching Library Flex,an enhanced out-of-hours service which will allow library users self-service access to facilities in 8 of our county libraries in addition to a regular staffed service.
Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.
About the role
This is a customer-facing role.
This role will involve working as part of a library group across multiple sites, so applicants must be willing and able to work at multiple locations. We are particularly looking for people who are prepared to work in our libraries in the south of the county, including but not limited to Marlow, Burnham, Iver Heath, Bourne End, Burnham Library and Micklefield but there will also be a need for travel to libraries across Buckinghamshire.
As part of this role, you will:
1. Supervise a team of dedicated volunteers and support them to serve library users and maintain the library collections.
2. Directly deliver library services to customers and resolve complex enquiries escalated by volunteers, for example by signposting to council services under the library’s role as a Council Access Point.
3. Be responsible for opening and closing the library, ensuring the building is in good order and carrying out regular health and safety checks.
4. Support with overseeing the volunteer rota, depending on the library you are working at, and plan ahead to ensure the library has sufficient coverage, and training new volunteers in accordance with library service policies and procedures.
5. Work with service colleagues to maintain a diary of planned activities and partner events to develop the library as a community hub, particularly around the areas of cultural participation and health and wellbeing.
Please see the attached job summary for further details.
Fixed
As a ‘fixed’ worker, you’ll spend most of your time in the same location, which will likely be a fixed office or location where your role is performed. Typically, you’ll be based in the same location as the rest of your team, because you provide a particular service from that fixed location or need access to information there.
About you
We are looking for somebody passionate about libraries and the role they can play in transforming the lives of children, young people and families, and who is keen to promote wellbeing in the community by combating loneliness and social exclusion.
If you're brilliant at helping customers with enquiries, with skills to promote and help access to digital services, and you’re keen to develop the library as a community hub with access to information, then we want to hear from you.
You should also have experience in supervision and supporting staff or volunteers in delivering professional and knowledgeable customer service to residents and visitors.