At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist with library operations, including managing loans, study spaces, and student support.
- Company: GBS is a leading higher education provider with campuses across the UK, dedicated to changing lives through education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible benefits, and a supportive work environment with career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant team, engage with students, and make a real impact in their learning journey.
- Qualifications: Friendly, organised, and able to communicate effectively; experience in educational settings is a plus.
- Other info: This role requires evening and weekend availability; no visa sponsorship available.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Department:Provost
Location:Birmingham
Type of Contract:Permanent
About Us:GBS is a higher education provider offering a range of sector-relevant courses across ten campuses in London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester. Working in partnership with several of the UK’s leading higher education providers, we deliver vocational, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in finance, accounting, business, construction, tourism, healthcare – and more.
Our Vision:Changing Lives through Education
The Role:The Library Assistant plays a vital role in the daily operations of the library, providing hands-on support to ensure a seamless and efficient experience for all users. This position includes delivering 30-to-60-minute library-in-the-classroom workshops to students in collaboration with lecturers, facilitating book and laptop loans, managing study spaces, assisting students in locating and using library resources, and delivering general support to maintain a welcoming and functional library environment.
The evening and weekend role requires a commitment to working evenings and weekends and would require flexibility to accommodate this.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship!
What the role involves:
1.Circulation Services:
- Oversee the checkout and return process for library materials, including books, laptops, and other loanable resources.
- Maintain accurate records of loans, returns, and overdue items, ensuring compliance with library policies.
- Assist users in understanding borrowing policies and resolving loan-related issues, such as renewals or late fees.
2.Study Space Management:
- Monitor and manage study spaces to ensure they are clean, organised, and conducive to learning.
- Oversee the reservation system for study rooms and other library facilities, helping users book and access spaces as needed.
- Address and resolve any issues related to study space usage, promoting a respectful and collaborative environment.
3.Student Assistance:
- Be confident delivering engaging, interactive in-class library use sessions
- Provide guidance to students on locating books, articles, and other resources within the library or through digital platforms.
- Help users navigate library catalogues, databases, and other tools to access information effectively.
- Offer basic technical support for library equipment, including computers, printers, and photocopiers.
4.Resource and Collection Maintenance:
- Assist in shelving returned books and maintaining the organisation of library collections.
- Conduct routine checks to ensure resources are correctly shelved and easily accessible.
- Report damaged or misplaced items and assist in basic inventory management tasks.
5.General Library Support:
- Provide friendly and knowledgeable service to all library users, addressing inquiries and offering support in a timely manner.
- Act as a first point of contact for visitors, ensuring they are directed to the appropriate resources or services.
- Support library staff with administrative tasks, event preparation, or special projects as needed.
6.Flexible Campus Coverage and Scheduling:
- Rotate between multiple campuses, providing consistent library services across all locations.
- Work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to ensure library accessibility for all users.
- Adapt quickly to the needs of different campuses and user groups, maintaining a high standard of service.
7.Promoting Library Services:
- Help raise awareness of library services, resources, and events through user interactions and by distributing promotional materials.
- Encourage students to explore the library\’s full range of offerings, including workshops, digital tools, and research support.
- Provide feedback to library management on user needs and suggestions to improve service delivery.
About You:
- Proven ability to deliver excellent front-line service.
- Friendly, approachable, and able to engage effectively with a diverse user base.
- Experience working with students in a classroom or instructional setting.
- Confidence in delivering 30-60 minute library-in-the-classroom sessions.
- Clear verbal and written communication, particularly in guiding students and explaining resources or policies.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with lecturers and other staff.
- Able to multitask and prioritise in a busy environment.
- Accuracy in maintaining records (e.g. loans, reservations, inventory).
- Ability to use standard digital tools (Microsoft Office, email, web browsers).
- Comfortable learning library systems and basic troubleshooting for equipment like printers and laptops.
- Willingness to work across different campuses and shifts, including evenings and weekends.
- Capable of working as part of a team, while also managing tasks independently.
- Attention to detail.
- Accurate shelving, cataloguing, and maintenance of resources.
Desirable:
- Familiarity with library management software (e.g. Koha, Alma, Sierra) or cataloguing systems.
- Prior experience in a university, college or school library environment.
- Confidence assisting users with common tech issues (printers, logging into systems, using databases).
- Ability to promote services and events through posters, handouts, or informal marketing.
- Enthusiasm for supporting student learning and information literacy.
- Multilingual or cross-cultural experience, particularly mature students and students who speak English as an additional language.
What we offer:
- 25 days annual leave, plus 8 public holidays
- 1-day extra leave per year of service, up to a maximum of 5 days
- Workplace pension scheme
- Tuition reimbursement for career development courses
- Flexible Benefits: Cycle to Work, Workplace Nursery, Techscheme and much more
- Perks@Work discounts platform, wellbeing centre and much more
- Reward and recognition programme
- £500 award employee referral scheme
- Discretionary annual performance bonus
“GBS has been a good place for professional growth. I have received great support from managers and colleagues who have encouraged me to develop new skills and take on more senior roles. Their mentorship has been invaluable to help me advance in my career.”
— Barbara Vargas(Professional Services Employee)
GBS is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace free from discrimination or harassment. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. We take our core values seriously and work hard to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed.
#indeedjuly
#LI-Onsite
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Library Assistant - Birmingham (Evening and weekends) employer: Global Banking School
Contact Detail:
Global Banking School Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Library Assistant - Birmingham (Evening and weekends)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the library's resources and services before your interview. Understanding what the library offers will help you engage confidently with potential questions about how you can contribute to enhancing user experience.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your experience in delivering workshops or instructional sessions. Think of specific examples where you've successfully engaged students, as this role requires you to deliver library-in-the-classroom sessions.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your ability to work flexibly across different campuses. Be ready to explain how you manage your time and adapt to varying environments, especially since this role involves evening and weekend shifts.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight any experience you have with library management software or cataloguing systems. Even if you're not an expert, demonstrating a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies will be beneficial.
We think you need these skills to ace Library Assistant - Birmingham (Evening and weekends)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, especially any roles where you've provided front-line service or worked in educational settings. Emphasise your ability to engage with diverse user groups and any experience delivering workshops or instructional sessions.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the importance of library services in supporting student learning. Mention specific skills that align with the job description, such as your ability to manage study spaces or assist students with resources.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Highlight your technical skills, particularly your comfort with digital tools and library systems. If you have experience with library management software or troubleshooting tech issues, make sure to include that information.
Demonstrate Flexibility: Since the role requires working evenings and weekends, mention your availability and willingness to adapt to different campus needs. This shows that you are committed to providing consistent library services across all locations.
How to prepare for a job interview at Global Banking School
✨Show Your Passion for Education
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for supporting student learning and information literacy. Share any relevant experiences you have had in educational settings, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves delivering library-in-the-classroom sessions, practice explaining complex concepts in a simple way. Be prepared to showcase your verbal and written communication skills during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
This position requires working evenings and weekends, so be ready to discuss your availability and willingness to adapt to different campus needs. Mention any previous experience you have had in similar flexible roles.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Familiarise yourself with common library management software and basic troubleshooting for equipment like printers and laptops. Be ready to answer questions about how you would assist users with tech issues, as this is a key part of the role.