At a Glance
- Tasks: Help shape the future of Cambridgeshire Libraries by assisting visitors and promoting services.
- Company: Join Cambridgeshire County Council, dedicated to serving diverse communities with a high-quality library service.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible bank holidays, additional leave options, paid volunteering hours, and a comprehensive wellbeing package.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team, develop new skills, and make a positive impact in your community.
- Qualifications: Strong customer service skills, ability to multitask, and a passion for public libraries are essential.
- Other info: Interviews on February 21, 2025; applications must be made online.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Our Benefits
We value our colleagues in Cambridgeshire County Council and have developed a number of benefits in addition to the basics like annual leave, sick pay, pension and mileage…
- A comprehensive wellbeing package to cover all aspects of wellbeing , both in and out of work, which can also be accessed by your family
- Buy up to 4 weeks additional annual leave (pro-rata) through our salary sacrifice scheme
- Take your bank holidays flexibly to better suit your personal circumstances
- Make Additional Voluntary Contributions (Shared AVCs) to your pension with tax and National Insurance savings
- Access to development opportunities , apprenticeships and qualified coaches to support your personal and professional growth
- Paid volunteering hours each year so you can make a positive impact on our community during your normal working day
- Access to Peer Support Groups through our IDEAL staff equality, diversity and inclusion network
- Opportunities to nominate and receive Employee Recognition Awards
- An Our Cambs Rewards account, giving you access to in-store and online discounts as well as our Car Lease and Cycle to Work schemes
Take a look at our Employment Benefits Brochure attached to this advert to find out more.
About the role
We are looking for an enthusiastic and versatile person to help us shape the future of Cambridgeshire Libraries. We maintain a high-quality public library service, working in partnership with a range of other organizations and community groups.
Our Community Library Assistants are the first point of contact for members of the public who are visiting and using our Libraries, and consequently the role is varied and allows staff to develop many different skills.
This role is based at Central Library, Cambridge, however you must be able to travel to any of the other Libraries within the District.
We want to recognise and celebrate the diversity of our local communities and be responsive to their needs. We also want to ensure that we are a fair and equitable employer, striving to achieve a diverse workforce that has the ability to understand, communicate and interact with people across cultures. We therefore encourage applications from all areas of our community.
Interviews will be held at Cambridge Central Library on Friday 21st February 2025.
For more information or to chat about this opportunity please contact Christopher Waters, District Library Manager via e-mail or 07391730796.
Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
About you
The successful candidate will have a flair for working with people, able to create a friendly and welcoming environment for a diverse range of customers. They will be excellent at multi-tasking, be quick and efficient, and enjoy working under pressure.
The candidate will be passionate about what public libraries can offer, and able to promote our services. Although there is plenty of routine work, there is also scope to be creative. 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.
When completing the supporting statement for this position, please tell us how your skills, experience, capability and potential match each of the criteria in the person specification . Think carefully about the following criteria and provide practical examples of how and when you have used the particular knowledge, skill or experience:
• Demonstrate your understanding of delivering good customer service
• Interpersonal skills, including patience and listening skills with an ability to establish exactly what the customer requires
• A pleasant, helpful manner with customers of all ages and abilities.
• A strong team player, able to work with colleagues on projects and contribute to team goals
• Flexibility and adaptability in all areas of work, including being able to respond to a change in hours or workplace location.
Please note: all applications must be made online and we cannot accept CVs.
About us Cambridgeshire is a great place to work and live with a diverse population, an urban centre in Cambridge, historic Isle of Ely, Huntingdon and St Ives as well as more rural landscapes.We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Cambridgeshire and want our workforce to be reflective of this diversity, which we believe benefits our employees, the organisation and our communities. our jobs and careers section to find out more about our wide range of learning and development opportunities; apprenticeships; our wellbeing package; staff benefits; our commitment to equality, diversity and Inclusion.
Community Library Assistant, CB2 3QD employer: Cambridgeshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Cambridgeshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Library Assistant, CB2 3QD
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the services offered by Cambridgeshire Libraries. Understanding what the libraries provide will help you engage with customers effectively and demonstrate your passion for public libraries during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your customer service experience in your conversations. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully interacted with diverse groups, as this role requires excellent interpersonal skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your flexibility and adaptability by discussing past experiences where you had to adjust to changing circumstances. This will resonate well with the team-oriented and dynamic nature of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you can contribute to a welcoming environment for all library visitors. Think about ways you can promote inclusivity and support the diverse needs of the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Library Assistant, CB2 3QD
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Community Library Assistant position. Reflect on how your skills and experiences align with the job description.
Craft Your Supporting Statement: In your supporting statement, address each criterion in the person specification. Use practical examples to demonstrate your customer service skills, interpersonal abilities, and flexibility. Be specific about situations where you've excelled in these areas.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Even if you don't have direct library experience, emphasize any exceptional customer service roles you've held. Discuss how these experiences have prepared you for working in a public library setting.
Follow Application Guidelines: Remember that all applications must be submitted online through the specified platform. Ensure you adhere to the guidelines and do not submit a CV, as it will not be accepted.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridgeshire County Council
✨Show Your Passion for Libraries
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for public libraries and their role in the community. Share specific examples of how libraries have impacted your life or how you believe they can benefit others.
✨Demonstrate Customer Service Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience in delivering excellent customer service. Use practical examples to illustrate how you've handled various customer interactions, showcasing your patience and listening skills.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Flexibility
Be ready to talk about your ability to work as part of a team. Provide examples of past projects where you collaborated with colleagues and how you adapted to changes in work environments or schedules.
✨Prepare for Situational Questions
Anticipate questions that may ask how you would handle specific scenarios in a library setting. Think about how you would create a welcoming environment for diverse customers and how you would address their needs effectively.