Library Assistant in Newhaven

If you have a passion for customer service and a keenness to learn about our libraries, we would like to hear from you!

The modern library is more than an opportunity to borrow a free book. We are open to all members of the community, who visit our libraries with a wide range of needs such as getting online, job-seeking, health and well-being, and national and local information. We also work in partnership with a number of different organisations, some based in our buildings and others visiting to hold sessions.

As a Library Assistant, your duties will include staffing the customer counter, answering a wide range of enquiries, and maintaining our service provision. You will perform routine tasks such as answering phone calls, issuing items to customers, cash handling, and organising files. You will also be required to support library events, such as children’s events over the summer, and weekly events, such as Rhymetimes and Storytimes.

Key to the Library Assistant role is being able to signpost people to what they are seeking. Knowledge and experience of working in a library is not essential as full training will be provided. The ability to be flexible is essential, as you will be required to work at other libraries in East Sussex, for which travel costs from your base are covered.

We are looking for candidates who:

• Have customer service and communication skills

• Have ICT skills and an interest in further development

• Work well in a team

• Are self-motivated

• Can undertake manual handling tasks

• Are willing to learn and undertake training as required

Work rota:

Week 1: Monday 9:30am – 1:00pm, Tuesday 9:30am – 4:30pm, Thursday 9:30am – 4:30pm, Friday 12:30pm – 4:30pm, Saturday 9:30am – 4:30pm

Week 2: Monday 9:30am – 1:00pm, Tuesday 9:30am – 4:30pm, Thursday 9:30am – 4:30pm, Friday 12:30pm – 4:30pm

To apply for the role, please click the apply now button and upload your CV with a Supporting Statement. We will be using your Supporting Statement to shortlist, so please be sure to address how you meet all of the essential criteria listed in the job description. You may draw upon any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests to do so, though your Supporting Statement should be no more than 2000 words long and must also describe how you would travel to other libraries when required.

Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for more information.

For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page and our statement on the use of AI.

In-person interviews will be held at Newhaven Library within 2 weeks of the closing date. Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See ourpriority status page for details.

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.

For an informal discussion, please contact Maureen Coyle, Library Manager, on 07355 927175.

For work that makes a difference, choose East Sussex!