Job Description Job Title: Learning Space Assistant Posting Start Date: 09/02/2026 Job Id: 2215 School/Department: Library Work Arrangement: Part Time (On site) Contract Type: Permanent Salary per annum (£): £23,742 - £24,685 Closing Date: 23/02/2026
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.
Overview
Learning Space Assistants act as the first point of contact for library customers either on Welcome or Information desks. Work at these desks could involve responding to customers’ library information and IT enquiries, dealing with borrower account issues, building access or booking enquiries. You will also take on a variety of tasks to support the service, such as helping customers to use the Library’s self-service facilities, issuing requested items, or assisting with the work of the digital commons, plus tasks to support the circulation of library material to customers including: the retrieval of items to fulfil customer requests, and the sorting and shelving of books according to the library classification system.
Main duties and responsibilities
* Act as the first point of contact for library customers at desks, whilst out in the library spaces and at open day events. Respond to a large range of library information and IT queries.
* Support Library processes including:
o Helping customers to use the Library self-service facilities and dealing with overdue or invoiced books
o You will handle basic policy issues but refer more complex problems or queries to a more senior member of staff.
* Use the library management system and other data storage systems for a wide range of basic tasks to support enquiry and information services. Areas of work may include; supporting memberships, allocating locker keys and the maintenance of customer records, for example resetting passwords.
* Manage and monitor the building space and oversee library site safety.
* Deal with any low level security issues, referring more serious problems on to the appropriate staff.
* Carry out general housekeeping inside and outside the building including:
o Facilitating the movement of Library blue boxes to and from different sites.
o Move/rearrange furniture as required
* Clear and secure the building when necessary
* Assist in the carrying out of User Experience research as required, in order to inform service development.
* Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
Person Specification Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criteria
Essential or desirable
Stage(s) assessed at
Experience of working in a customer facing environment including working at a customer information point, responding efficiently and effectively to a large range of enquiries.
Essential
Application/interview
Able to act as the first point of contact in a busy face-to-face environment, managing conflicting priorities or demands
Essential
Application/interview
Excellent IT skills, including knowledge of Windows and other Microsoft Office applications, library and enquiry management systems, database software, Google Apps and new technologies.
Essential
Application/interview
Ability to interact with a variety of customers in a range of environments, showing good interpersonal skills and the use of a range of digital tools.
Essential
Application/interview
Able to work effectively as part of a team, responding to changes in demand and volume across all library sites and at different times of the year.
Essential
Application/interview
Experience of dealing with complex and sensitive queries, referring on to senior colleagues as appropriate.
Essential
Application/interview
Physical capability to shelve library material quickly and efficiently in order to meet service standards.
Essential
Application/interview
Able to work unsupervised and flexibility to change working hours at short notice.
Essential
Application/interview
Experience of working in a library environment
Desirable
Application/interview
Current or recent experience studying in a Higher Education (University) environment.
Desirable
Application/interview
Further Information
Grade
3
Salary
£23,742 - £24,865
Work arrangement
Post 1: Part Time (on site) Thursday 9-1, Friday 9-1, Saturday 1-6 Post 2: Part Time (on site) Monday 9 -1, Wednesday 1-5, Sunday 1-6
Duration
Permanent
Line manager
Information Advisory Services and Skills Coordinator
Direct reports
None
Our website
For informal enquiries about this job contact Sian Rushton, Library Services Manager, Library Information Advisory Team : on sian.rushton@sheffield.ac.uk
Next steps in the recruitment process Details of the next steps will be provided to shortlisted candidates. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within three weeks of the closing date, subject to the volume of applications received. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact library-hr@sheffield.ac.uk
Our vision and strategic plan We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().
What we offer
* A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
* Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
* Generous pension scheme.
* A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
* A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
* Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
* A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes
* A range of generous family-friendly policies
o paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
o support for those going through the menopause
o paid time off and support for fertility treatment
o and more
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.