Librarian - Communities

Librarian - Communities

Leeds Full-Time 30000 - 42000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Engage diverse audiences, manage library stock, and run community events.
  • Company: Leeds City Council is a major employer focused on community development and public service.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Share your love for books while making a positive impact in the community.
  • Qualifications: Passion for libraries, strong digital skills, and excellent communication abilities required.
  • Other info: Role involves travel between sites and offers a chance to work with diverse communities.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.

Join to apply for the Librarian - Communities role at Leeds City Council. This range is provided by Leeds City Council. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Hours: 2 x Full time (37 hours per week) and 1 x part time (31 hours per week)

Contract: Permanent

Are you passionate about books and reading, and can you share this passion with others? Can you engage with a range of diverse audiences to champion Leeds Libraries? Would you thrive in a multi-tasking role, working with different teams and communities, building partnerships and engaging with the public?

We are looking for new librarians to join the Communities team at Leeds Libraries. As a Communities Librarian, you will join a small team of librarians based in one of three areas in the city – West, South or East. You will play a key role working across the Community Hubs and Libraries in your area, managing stock, delivering key library services, running cultural and community engagement events and activities, and supporting the Customer Service teams that you’ll work closely alongside.

An adaptable communicator, you’ll thrive on engaging audiences of all ages in a range of environments, both within libraries and as outreach, from delivering primary school assemblies promoting the Summer Reading Challenge, to providing reading recommendations to library users, to delivering digital support to learners of wide-ranging abilities and facilitating school holiday events to children.

You will have a flair for working with people, and be able to create a friendly and welcoming environment for a diverse range of customers, while maintaining positive relationships with a variety of different stakeholders. You’ll work closely with Customer Service Assistants across sites, and be able to support, inform and engage colleagues. At the heart of everything you do will be sharing your passion for books to help promote and develop a culture of reading for pleasure in the sites and communities you serve.

Supported by the Senior Communities Librarian for your area, you will write Library Development Plans for the sites you cover, using statistics, demographic data and local priorities to inform your planning. You’ll be able to analyse data and identify trends to inform your stock management. Resourceful and engaging, you’ll be active in identifying opportunities for audience development and engagement in the communities you serve, seek out new partnerships to support and diversify our offer, and link these up to city-wide library service aims.

This is a diverse role and you will need a have-a-go attitude and be keen to engage in continued professional development. You will have good basic digital skills and a willingness to build on these in order to deliver creative digital activity. A keen team-player, you will work closely with other librarians and colleagues in community hubs. Together with enjoying working as part of a team, you’ll also be adept at using your own initiative, as at times this role will involve lone working. Please note that the role will involve travel between multiple sites and is physically demanding.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About You

As a Communities Librarian, you will bring to the role:

  • You have an excellent understanding of, and passion for, the role of public libraries and community librarianship.
  • You have well developed digital skills, are confident using technology, maximising its benefits and are able to support and encourage customers to develop their skills.
  • You have excellent communication skills, listening, written and verbal. You are able to communicate clearly and appropriately to a wide range of audiences.
  • You are a highly motivated team player, able to both support and lead other team members.
  • You have an understanding of community-based working.

What We Offer You

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

  • a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
  • membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
  • flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
  • a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
  • a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

How To Apply

Complete the online application form. Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application. If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Kate Midwood or Kirsten Pendlebury, Senior Librarians (Communities). Email Kate.Midwood@leeds.gov.uk / Kirsten.Pendlebury@leeds.gov.uk

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Librarian - Communities employer: Leeds City Council

Leeds City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises community engagement and professional development. With a competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and flexible working arrangements, employees are supported in their growth while making a meaningful impact in the lives of diverse communities across Leeds. Join a dedicated team where your passion for libraries and reading can flourish, and enjoy a clear career pathway in one of the largest employers in the region.
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Contact Detail:

Leeds City Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Librarian - Communities

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Leeds Libraries and their community initiatives. Understanding their current projects and how they engage with the public will help you demonstrate your passion for community librarianship during any discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current librarians or staff at Leeds Libraries. Reach out on platforms like LinkedIn to ask about their experiences and insights, which can provide you with valuable information to tailor your approach when applying.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your digital skills by engaging with online library resources or community events. Participating in webinars or workshops related to library services can highlight your commitment to professional development and your ability to adapt to new technologies.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your ideas for community engagement and partnerships. Think of innovative ways to promote reading and library services that align with the values of Leeds Libraries, as this will set you apart as a proactive candidate.

We think you need these skills to ace Librarian - Communities

Excellent Communication Skills
Community Engagement
Digital Literacy
Data Analysis
Team Collaboration
Public Speaking
Customer Service
Event Planning
Adaptability
Problem-Solving Skills
Relationship Building
Organisational Skills
Initiative
Understanding of Public Libraries

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Communities Librarian position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job description.

Showcase Your Passion: In your application, express your passion for books and reading. Provide examples of how you've engaged with diverse audiences or promoted reading in your previous roles or experiences.

Highlight Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key for this role, ensure your application reflects your written and verbal communication skills. Use clear and concise language, and consider including specific examples of how you've effectively communicated with various stakeholders.

Demonstrate Teamwork and Initiative: Emphasise your ability to work as part of a team while also being able to take initiative. Share examples of past experiences where you've successfully collaborated with others or led projects independently.

How to prepare for a job interview at Leeds City Council

✨Show Your Passion for Libraries

Make sure to express your enthusiasm for books and reading during the interview. Share personal experiences that highlight your love for libraries and how you can inspire others to engage with literature.

✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills

As a Communities Librarian, you'll need to communicate effectively with diverse audiences. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with different groups, whether through events, outreach, or one-on-one interactions.

✨Highlight Your Teamwork Abilities

This role requires collaboration with various teams. Be ready to discuss your experience working in teams, how you support colleagues, and any leadership roles you've taken on to foster a positive team environment.

✨Prepare for Data-Driven Discussions

Since the role involves writing Library Development Plans and analysing data, be prepared to discuss your experience with data analysis. Think of examples where you've used statistics or demographic data to inform decisions or improve services.

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