Library Assistant (Prison Library Service)

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Our Benefits

If you join us, you’ll have access to a range of employee 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 part time 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 first‑class service throughout the prison.

This role is ever changing and evolving to suit the needs of the library users and the regime of the prison. 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. Working four hours per day, four days per week, library assistants work a combination of afternoon hours to support the class visit to the library, and evening hours until 7.30pm to run the unit visits to the library.

About The Team You’ll 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 joined‑up 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.
• Take a positive role in promoting the library service and stock, and ensure the library is well‑presented and tidy at all times.
• You will be confident to work flexibly with the team and alone to provide a rota of unit and class visits to the library.
• You will be required to participate in mandatory, prison provided 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.

Read more about the work you’ll be doing in the Role Profile.

Don’t meet every single requirement? We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they think they can’t tick every box. At Hounslow, we realise the ‘perfect candidate’ doesn’t exist. So, if you can do most of what we’re 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!

When Interviews Will Be Held And Who To Contact

The key information you need about the role should be in the Role Profile, but if you have any further questions about the role, please contact Email: Charlotte.Arthur@hounslow.gov.uk Telephone: 07970955150 Interviews for this job will be held during week commencing 14th September 2026.