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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and develop the prison library service, engaging with prisoners to promote reading.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Hounslow, committed to diversity and community service.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, training opportunities, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative team that supports education and rehabilitation in a unique environment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for promoting literacy.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 ÂŁ per year.
About Us
At Hounslow, weâd love you to join us at the London Borough of Hounslow! Our people are deeply committed to providing excellent services to our residents, doing all we can to make lives as good as they can be. We are an outstanding council, serving an outstanding borough.
About Our Commitment To Diversity And Inclusion
We live by five core values: Lead with Heart, Do New, Pass on the Power, Harness the Mix and Be a Rock. All our work has equality, diversity and inclusion at its very heart, best articulated in âHarness the Mixâ. Itâs about breaking down barriers between our parts and people and unlocking the problem-solving power of our amazing mix of minds. We serve a diverse community, we have a diverse workforce and we are committed to being an inclusive employer.
Our Benefits
About The Role
Feltham Prison is a Category C facility located within the London Borough of Hounslow, housing adult males from the age of 18. We are recruiting a partâtime Library Assistant to support and develop the delivery of the prison library service within the unique environment of Feltham Prison. You will be working in a challenging but rewarding environment, supporting the Prison Library Manager and Senior Library Assistant to deliver a firstâclass service throughout the prison.
This role is everâchanging and evolving to suit the needs of the library users and the regime of the prison, and it is an exciting time for the library team as they plan and provide a library service to the prison population. You will be involved in the daily operational delivery of class and unit visits to the library throughout the day, advising prisoners on appropriate reading for pleasure and educational materials.
About The Team Youâll Be Working In
The aim of the library within HMP Feltham is to provide a library service to the prison population and work closely with all departments to support prisoner education and reducing reoffending. In this role, you will be working with the prisoners of all ages to ensure they are offered opportunities to develop their reading skills and opportunities upon release.
Working in a small team, you will be working closely with the Senior Library Assistant and Prison Library Manager to ensure the library provides essential services to the library users. You will be required to support educational classes when they visit the library, signposting adults to useful materials and helping improve their reading skills.
During unit visits to the library, you will be responsible for engaging with prisoners to promote stock, reader development and library activities and outreach. You will be involved in the delivery of a new programme of library outreach activities which will include researching, planning and delivering events, including a new Book Club.
Working closely with the Senior Library Assistant, prison Governors and educational providers, these activities will support learning and educational pathways. The prison library team works with the wider community within the prison to ensure a joinedâup approach to reducing reoffending, improving prisoner opportunities and maintaining the safety of all colleagues.
Networking is an important part of this role to maintain consistency of service to all units and to be a good ambassador for the library service. This requires an outgoing and confident approach to work to build relationships with the prison community.
About You
You will be adept at providing advice and guidance to library users on suitable library materials to assist their learning, provide essential support and guidance and encourage the use of the library. Take a positive role in promoting the library service and stock, and ensure the library is wellâpresented and tidy at all times, with a high standard of display and promotional materials.
You will be confident to work flexibly with the team and alone to provide a rota of unit and class visits to the library and take responsibility for ensuring the delivery of materials across the prison. You will be required to participate in mandatory, prisonâprovided training and development activities and attend and participate in meetings as required.
You will be confident when working in a challenging environment and able to work calmly under pressure. You have the confidence to face and deal with challenging behaviour head on. You can work independently and as part of a small team. You are willing to work flexibly and adapt at short notice. You care about improving education opportunities, reducing reoffending and rehabilitation.
We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they think they canât tick every box. At Hounslow, we realise the âperfect candidateâ doesnât exist. So, if you can do most of what weâre looking for, go ahead and apply. You may be just the right candidate for the job or be perfect for one of our other roles!
Contact Information
Email: Telephone: 07970955150
Interviews for this job will be held during week commencing 8th June 2026.
Library Assistant (Prison Library Service) employer: London Borough of Hounslow
Contact Detail:
London Borough of Hounslow Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Library Assistant (Prison Library Service)
â¨Tip Number 1
Get to know the library environment before your interview. Familiarise yourself with the prison library's mission and how it supports education and rehabilitation. This will help you show genuine interest and understanding during your chat with the hiring team.
â¨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees of the prison library service on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips and maybe even put in a good word for you. Plus, it shows you're proactive and keen to learn more about the role.
â¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions. Think about how you'd handle challenging behaviours or promote reading among prisoners. Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your skills and adaptability in tough situations.
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows youâre serious about joining the Hounslow team and contributing to the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Library Assistant (Prison Library Service)
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so donât be afraid to share your passion for libraries and helping others.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role. Mention specific examples of how you've supported education or worked in diverse environments, as this is key for us.
Show Your Commitment to Diversity: Since we value diversity and inclusion, itâs a great idea to mention any experiences you have that demonstrate your commitment to these principles. This could be anything from working with diverse groups to promoting equal opportunities.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus youâll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Hounslow
â¨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Library Assistant in a prison setting. Familiarise yourself with the unique challenges and rewards of working in this environment, and think about how your skills can contribute to improving education opportunities and reducing reoffending.
â¨Show Your Passion for Diversity and Inclusion
Hounslow values diversity and inclusion highly, so be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to this ethos. Share examples from your past experiences where you've worked with diverse groups or helped create inclusive environments, especially in educational settings.
â¨Prepare for Challenging Situations
Working in a prison library can be unpredictable. Think about how you would handle challenging behaviour or difficult situations. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've managed stress or conflict in previous roles, demonstrating your calmness under pressure.
â¨Engage with the Community
Networking is key in this role. Come prepared with ideas on how to engage with the prison community and promote library services. Discuss any outreach activities you've been involved in before, and how you can help build relationships within the prison to enhance the library's impact.