Role Summary
You will play a key role in promoting and developing library services across local communities—boosting awareness, participation and engagement. You’ll support staff and volunteers to deliver inclusive events and activities focused on reading, digital access, health and wellbeing, and support for children, young people and communities.
Working with library teams, community groups and partners, you’ll help deliver projects, build relationships and identify opportunities to improve and promote services. You’ll coordinate volunteers, share good practice, support communication across teams and contribute to service improvements through monitoring and reporting.
You’ll also champion volunteering and inclusive engagement, helping to ensure library services remain accessible, relevant and deliver a positive customer experience across the network.
What You’ll Do – Key Responsibilities
* Lead and support engaging library events and activities that promote services and increase community participation
* Work with teams and volunteers to deliver outreach services, including pop-up and home library provision
* Plan and deliver training to build staff and volunteer confidence in new initiatives and services
* Build strong partnerships with community groups, schools, businesses and council services
* Promote library services through events, social media and local networks
* Identify opportunities to grow services, including income generation and new community initiatives
* Support the development of Friends Groups and strengthen local community links
* Share good practice and embed new ways of working across library teams
* Lead on key outreach priorities, including work with vulnerable adults, children and young people
* Monitor performance, support delivery plans and report on service outcomes
* Champion inclusive, welcoming services that put customer experience at the heart of everything
Essential – What we’re looking for – knowledge, experience & skills
* Knowledge of technology and willingness to engage with new and emerging trends
* Understanding of the needs and attributes of library users and community groups
* Knowledge of community needs and ability to engage with diverse user groups
* Awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion principles in service delivery
* Experience working in a public or customer-facing environment
* Experience engaging with stakeholders such as community groups, volunteers or partner organisations
* Experience supporting or delivering activities, events or services to increase participation
* Experience working collaboratively as part of a team
* Minimum A-Level qualification (or equivalent knowledge) with commitment to continuous professional development
* Ability to organise, prioritise and manage competing demands
* Ability to manage deadlines and prioritise workload effectively
* Flexible approach to supporting others, including volunteers
* Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to engage at all levels
* Active listening skills and ability to seek clarification when needed
* Ability to work collaboratively with public service providers and community/voluntary groups
* Ability to build positive, proactive working relationships with colleagues and partners
Desirable
* Awareness of current trends in community engagement, outreach or public service delivery
* Awareness of volunteer management principles and safeguarding responsibilities
* Experience working within a library, public service or voluntary sector setting
* Experience promoting services or initiatives through community engagement or social media
* Ability to motivate and support others, including volunteers and team members
* Ability to use a range of communication channels (including social media) to promote services
Additional Information
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Kirsty Jenssen, Community Library & Volunteer Manager at Kirsty.jenssen@somerset.gov.uk
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