The Team
The Library Advice team provide first line library support and signposting to all our customers, including staff and students. Located both in the Fountains Learning Centre, the team handles a wide breadth of queries from a range of sources. Including in person, via telephone and via email.
The role
We are looking for people who are excited about customer services in a university setting and will commit to and help us improve our current high standards of service. The post holder will work within the Library Advice Team and contribute to the smooth running and maintenance of the Fountains Learning Centre and its collections. The main duties will include the shelving of new and returned books and journals promptly and accurately, removal of books from self-return bins ready for shelving, the maintenance of Library shelves in good order and tidying study areas. In addition, Resource Assistants will aid the Library Service Desk by supporting users of the building to borrow, return and renew items via self-service kiosks.
Resource Assistants are also required to:
1. Work as part of a small team to manage the learning environments across Library and Learning Services, helping to ensure that the study and silent zones are observed.
2. Ensure that study areas and desks are kept clear of items and litter, and that furniture is in the correct place within the building.
3. Administer the policies and procedures regarding acceptable use of the building.
4. Liaise with library management and Security to ensure a safe environment for all users of the Learning Centre.
5. Shelve and tidy resources, adhering to the University Health and Safety guidelines.
6. Empty returns bins adhering to the Library and Learning Services guidelines.
7. Contribute to departmental records and statistics as required.
8. Participate in continuous development of the Library Advice team, attending and contributing to meetings and advising line management of necessary adjustments to procedures.
9. Assist with collection maintenance tasks such as weeding, audits and book moves as required.
10. Help create an inclusive and safe environment that welcomes and supports all library users.
Required skills and experience
The successful candidate will thrive working in fast paced customer focused environment, and will be able to display experience of:
· supporting customers with empathy
· a desire to provide a continually excellent service
· excellent communication and interpersonal skills
· experience and familiarity with IT systems
· ability to work using own initiative
· flexibility to accommodate changing needs
As the majority of our service is located within the library, library experience is also a bonus.
Additional information
Unfortunately this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship however we welcome your application if you are able to evidence right to work in the UK via an alternative route.
It is anticipated that the selection process will include an interview and a test. Further details will be provided if you are shortlisted for interview.
This role is term time only working 28 weeks each academic year.
The working weeks are as follows:
Summer term 2026 – 13/04/2026 to 29/05/2026
Autumn term 2026 – 28/09/2026 to 18/12/2026
Spring term 2027 – 18/01/2027 to 19/03/2027
Summer term 2027 – 12/04/2027 to 28/05/2027
The working pattern for this role is:
Wednesday 9am to 5.30pm
Thursday 9am to 5pm
Friday 9am to 5pm
Including 1 hour unpaid lunch break each day totalling 21.5 hours per week.
We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive policies and facilities and welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive working environment, consideration is given to all requests for job share or flexible working arrangements.
This vacancy is scheduled to close on the date indicated at the bottom of this advert, but we may close earlier if we receive a high level of applications.
Application process support
We are keen to support you throughout the recruitment process. Before starting your application please refer to the attached candidate application form guidance below which provides advice about completing the application process.
Please note that CVs are not accepted in place of the application form. Within the application process you will be asked to answer a selection of work-related questions. Our aim is to get to know you, and understand your individual skills and experience, and how you would apply these within the role. We are aware that AI can be helpful in shaping your responses, but we encourage you to share your answers in your own words.
Our benefits package
We offer a wide range of employee benefits including -
- Excellent annual leave entitlement, including five discretionary university closure days over the Christmas period
- Disability leave (applies to staff who have disclosed a disability and is also available to staff with disabled dependants)
- Pension scheme
- Health Cash Plan after six months service
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists
- On-campus courses, one-to-one tutorials, and online resources to help you develop your digital skills and work with new software
- Relocation expenses package for certain roles
- Reimbursement of Skilled Worker Visa application fees and for additional costs (if applicable to the role)
Further information about life at YSJ
Our attached 'further information' document below provides further information about our culture, achievements and testimonials from our employees.
Closing Date - Friday 20 March 2026 at midnight Provisional Interview Date - Friday 10 April 2026