Job Description: Senior Librarian
What you'll be doing:
Job Summary:
The Senior Librarian will oversee the daily operations of the LS6 Library of Things (LS6 LOT), ensuring smooth borrowing and returns, coordinating volunteers, and maintaining the library's inventory system. They will play a key role in engaging with members, promoting financial contributions through the pay-as-you-feel model, and supporting the growth and sustainability of the library.
The post holder will work alongside volunteers during public opening hours (Friday 4-6pm, Saturday 1-4pm) and will need to arrive before sessions to prepare ie, putting out the reserved items ready for collection and ensuring items are in available, clean and in working order.
In addition to day-to-day duties, the Senior Librarian will lead the development of the "Warmer Homes" scheme, helping members access tools and advice to make their homes more energy-efficient. They will also attend and report at monthly Project Management Group (PMG) meetings, providing updates on operations and identifying areas for improvement.
This is an exciting opportunity to become an employee of LS6 LOT, helping to shape the future of the library and its impact on the community. We are looking for someone who shares our values, is passionate about sustainability and community action, and is eager to contribute to the library's long-term success.
Main Duties:
*Please note that the Senior Librarian will be working alongside an experienced team of volunteers who will be assisting with many of these tasks.*
* Organise, catalogue and store items in the Library of Things.
* Maintain and update the library's online inventory system.
* Manage ongoing operational tasks, including troubleshooting issues such as broken or unreturned items.
* Provide 'Front of House' customer service when the Library is open to members of the public.
* Assist walk-in borrowers to set up membership registration and borrowing.
* Handle monetary donations and process payments via a card reader.
* Track items on the library system and coordinate with borrowers regarding pick-up and drop off times.
* Recruit and train new volunteers for the role of librarian.
* Organise and manage volunteer rotas to ensure shift cover.
* Develop and maintain the "Warm Homes" scheme.
* Uphold Buy Nowt LS6's principles and help set high standards.
* Contribute to a safe and inclusive environment, in which everyone feels welcome, regardless of gender, sexuality, race or other factors.
(No job description can be entirely comprehensive, and the job holder will be expected to carry out such other duties as may be required from time to time, and which are broadly consistent with the job description and status of the post within the organisation).
Who we're looking for:
Essential:
* Someone who shares Buy Nowt LS6 Library of Things principles.
* A computer literate person (use Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Internet + phones)
* Good with people and good communication skills.
* Ability to work in partnership with volunteers.
* Proactive with excellent organisational skills.
* Available Fridays pm and Saturdays pm.
* Able to lift and carry items from shelving units.
Desirable
* Customer facing experience.
* Live locally near the LS6 Leeds area.
* Previous library experience or stock management experience.
* A knowledge of volunteering.
* An interest in environmentalism and community-based action.
* Experience using library software like MyTurn or LendEngine, but training will be provided.
* Experience of simple electrical PAT testing, but training can be provided.
Time requirements: The role will be for 10 hours a week. There is a little flexibility to work around how much is required that week and the library opening times.
Salary: The post is fully funded for 2 years at £15.23 per hour. The Library intends to work to increase its income to enable the post to be continued but this cannot be guaranteed.
Line management and support: The Senior Librarian will be managed by a named member of the project management group.
Annual Leave: Annual leave will be 56 hours per year calculated on a pro rata basis relative to a full time post of 37.5 hours, This will be agreed in liaison with the line manager.
Training: An induction package will be provided by members of the Project Management Group. After that if the post holder or PMG identifies a training need, the library will endeavour to support this.
Location: The bulk of the work will need to be in the Library building but some work may be completed at the post holders home, in liaison with the PMG.Ideally, we are looking for someone who lives in LS6 as we would like to build local community connections and reduce our carbon footprint. However, we welcome applications from anyone in Leeds.
How to Apply:
To apply please submit your CV and include a covering letter of no more than 1 side A4 that illustrates how you would do the job well. Please reference the main duties, essential and desirable characteristics in this letter. Deadline for application is 5.30pm, 29th September 2025.
Interviews are scheduled for the early evening of the Monday 13th October 2025. If you know you are unable to make this time please note it in your application.
We will be running 'come-and-find-out' sessions on 20th September 3.30 to 4.30pm, and 27th September 3.30 to 4.30pm at the LS6 LOT on Chapel Street, Headingley Methodist Church, LS6 3BZ.
KEY ACCCOUNTABILITES
How your performance will be assessed during the probationary period and beyond
Key Accountabilities
Indicators of Effectiveness
Library Operations & Inventory Management
* The online inventory is consistently up to date with minimal discrepancies.
* Items are well-organised and stored correctly.
* Loan processing and returns are handled effectively.
Volunteer Management & Engagement
* A consistent level of trained volunteer librarians are recruited and managed.
* Librarian volunteer rotas are successfully managed to ensure adequate shift cover.
* Volunteers report feeling supported.
Customer Service & Membership Growth
* Members receive timely and helpful assistance.
* New memberships and loans are processed smoothly, and feedback indicates positive borrower experiences.
Financial Sustainability & Donations
* Members understand and contribute towards the pay-as-you-feel model.
* A gradual increase in income for the LS6 LOT, working towards fully funding the post holder position beyond the expiry of our 2 year funding.
* Donation handling/recording is secure and accurate.
Project Leadership (Warmer Homes Scheme)
* The 'Warmer Homes' toolkit is developed and marketed. The success of this project will be measured by: how many LS6 LOT members are accessing the toolkit and the nature of member's feedback.
Engagement with PMG Group & Reporting
* Regular, clear updates and statistics are provided at PMG meetings.
* Any issues or improvements are communicated proactively with an honest and constructive approach.
Behaviours
* Uphold the Buy Nowt LS6 principles and LOT project vision.
Who we are:
The Buy Nowt LS6 Library of Things (LS6 LOT) was launched in November 2021, as the first and currently only project of Buy Nowt LS6 CIC. The CIC (Community Interest Company) was set-up by local residents to address inequality, tackle climate change, localise our economy and promote a sense of community connectivity. Buy Nowt LS6 CIC was registered at Companies House in September 2021. LS6 LOT has 2,884 members and around 100 loans per month.
Environmental and social benefits are at the heart of what the LS6 LOT seeks to provide. The library offers people living in and strongly associated with the LS6 postcode, the opportunity to donate and borrow things, other than books. (For example: Gardening, DIY, camping, cooking, party items). Most of the items in the LS6 LOT have been donated. Our members handbook is available on our website ) which provides more details of how we operate and is based upon the principles from the Buy Nothing Project .
Our principles are:
* We believe local groups strengthen the social fabric of their communities and ensure the health and vitality of each member.
* We come from a place of abundance - not scarcity.
* We give, we ask, we share, we lend, and we express gratitude.
* We will not profit from money received for items, services, donations or grants. Any monies we receive will go back into the running and development of the Buy Nowt LS6 - Library of Things.
* We prioritise repairing and seeking second hand items before buying new.
* We measure wealth by the personal connections made and trust between people alongside the positive environmental and social impact made.
* We value people and their stories and narratives above the 'stuff.'
* We are inclusive at our core and do not discriminate based on age, race, gender, religion, background, sexual orientation, disability, cultural or socio-economic background.
* We value honesty and integrity in all our interactions.
* We value all contributions the library as equal whether financial or not; the human connection is the value to the project.
* We believe in a Pay-as-you-feel revenue model in both donations and membership.
* We believe every person deserves access to the items they want to borrow, regardless of the scale of their financial contribution in exchange for the borrowed items.
Background to the post:
We received a grant from the National Lottery's Awards for All scheme. We are using this to enable us to employ a Senior Librarian to help us deliver the day-to-day operation of our library of things (LS6 LOT). The post holder will work closely with the Project Management Group (PMG), some of whom also volunteer as LS6 LOT librarians. Our intention is that the Senior Librarian will free up PMG members to deliver other aspects of the project. The Senior Librarian will be joining us at an exciting time, as we expect to be able to grow the library and its impact.
The post holder will also be responsible for developing and managing a new project, our "Warmer Homes" scheme. This scheme will enable people to reduce their energy bills by making their homes more efficient. We will purchase a thermal imaging camera and develop a 'Warmer Homes' toolkit. Our Senior Librarian will develop and maintain this toolkit, support borrowers with guidance and get the message out about our scheme.
The PMG will provide the post holder with a thorough induction and one member of the PMG will be responsible for offering regular direct line management to the post holder. After 3 months, a probation meeting will be held to discuss whether all parties are happy, with the post holder's performance being assessed against delivery of the post's key accountabilities. We expect the employee to adhere to our key accountabilities and principles and we will support them to do this.
The Senior Librarian post is initially funded for two years, by the National Lottery's Awards For All. However, the organisation is committed to the long-term delivery and development of LS6 LOT, and so increasing our income to allow the post to continue. The organisation is in a stable financial position, in that donations cover the non-salary running costs and we have a small surplus to cover any contingencies. We believe that the appointment of a Senior Librarian should help us improve our payment model. We plan to sustainably develop the library and will identify a plan to help with this.
Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 21 months
Pay: £15.23 per hour
Expected hours: 10 per week
Application question(s):
* Are you available to work Fridays pm and Saturdays pm ?
* Are you able to lift and carry items from shelves?
* Are you available for an interview on the early evening of Monday 13th October. 2025?
* Have you submitted a covering letter explaining why you fit our job requirements.
* Do you live in Leeds?
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Leeds LS6 3HZ