Library Officer (Bedford Central Library)

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, friendly and versatile to join the team at Bedford Central Library to help us deliver a high quality and welcoming service to a diverse range of customers.

You will be actively supervising the team including staff timetabling, training and development ensuring a high standard of customer service as well working directly with customers alongside the team. You will also be responding quickly to service needs on a day to day basis, including dealing with customer, staff, IT and building matters.

You will be excellent at multi tasking, be quick and efficient, and enjoy working in a busy environment as well as be able to lead and motivate colleagues and be a strong team player. You will be passionate about what public libraries can offer and be able to promote library services and events. Training will be given on specific library systems but an ability to work with IT is assumed.

Although library experience is an advantage we would also like to hear from candidates who have demonstrated exceptional customer service skills in other contexts.

Working in a library is an active role which includes floorwalking, carrying books, pushing trolleys, lifting boxes and being on your feet for long periods of time. Although the job will have a base location which is Bedford Central Library and a regular rota, you will be expected to work flexibly and cover at other local libraries if required.

Closing date: 18th August 2026

Interviews will be held on the 27th & 28th August 2026.

How to apply

When you are ready to apply, click on ‘Apply for Vacancy’; you will be asked to upload a CV and answer some application questions. The application questions require a yes/no response. Please make sure your CV shows how you meet the requirements for the role you are applying for, the job profile below will show the essential selection criteria. An optional CV template is provided below.

Please note:

The Council will not normally re-employ ex-employees in receipt of:

· a severance payment (within 12 months of leaving)

· a local government pension (applies to Senior Officers only)

unless the appointment is business critical

For further information, please email recruitment.team@bedford.gov.uk

Bedford Borough Council is proud to be a member of the Armed Forces Covenant and the Care Leavers Covenant, we pledge to interview any eligible job applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job they are applying for. Bedford Borough Council is also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer and guarantees to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role they are applying for.

Bedford Borough Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.