Library and Information Advisor

Library and Information Advisor

Sudbury Full-Time 25185 - 25185 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Suffolk County Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Help your community access library services and run engaging activities for all ages.
  • Company: Join Suffolk County Council, a modern council dedicated to making a positive impact.
  • Benefits: Enjoy up to 29 days leave, flexible working, and career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a meaningful difference while working in a vibrant community environment.
  • Qualifications: Great customer service skills and a passion for helping others are essential.
  • Other info: This role offers a chance to grow and learn in a supportive team.

The predicted salary is between 25185 - 25185 £ per year.

  • Suffolk County Council
  • Address: Great Cornard Library, Thomas Gainsborough School (formerly known as the Upper School), Head Lane, Great Cornard, CO10 0JU – On-site
  • Salary: £ 25,185 per annum (pro rata)
  • Hours: 10.75 hours per week average – Worked as 2 hours on Monday (9-11am), 5 hours on Saturday (10am-3pm) and 5 hours on Sunday 3 weeks in 4 (10am-3pm).
  • Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council we\’re passionate about improving the future for our customers, our communities and the environment. If you are too, join us as a Library and Information Advisor and make a huge and meaningful impact. Your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving. Our opportunities and support will enable you to make a difference and leave a positive, lasting legacy. Reimagine the possibilities.
Your role and responsibilities
As a Library and Information Advisor, you\’ll be at the heart of your local community, helping people of all ages access the services, support and inspiration that libraries offer.
On a typical day, you might:

  • Deliver excellent customer service to a wide range of visitors, including children, families and older adults.

  • Support customers with using library services, from borrowing books to navigating digital resources.

  • Run and support activities such as children\’s rhyme time and story time, crafts, and community events.

  • Help customers with IT queries, including using mobile devices, email, and social media.

  • Work closely with volunteers and community groups to raise the library\’s profile and deliver outreach services.

  • Carry out core library tasks such as shelving, stock management, taking payments, and creating displays.

This is a physically active role that involves bending and lifting.

You will need
We\’re looking for someone who:

  • Can deliver great customer service to people of all ages.

  • Communicates effectively and builds positive, supportive relationships with customers, colleagues, and the wider community.

  • Is confident engaging with young people and enthusiastic about delivering activities like children\’s crafts, rhyme time and story sessions.

  • Is IT literate and comfortable using the internet, social media, email, mobile devices and apps—and can guide others in using them too.

  • Works well as part of a team and is happy to support colleagues.

  • Is willing to learn and carry out the full range of library procedures, including shelving, lending, self-service support, taking payments, stock work, displays, and rearranging the library space when needed.

If you\’ve worked in a customer-facing role, enjoy helping people, and have experience working with children, we\’d love to hear from you. An interest in books and computers is a big plus.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don\’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team
You\’ll be joining a friendly, supportive team that\’s passionate about making the library a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone. We work closely with volunteers, community groups, and schools to deliver a wide range of services and events. Our team values collaboration, creativity, and a shared commitment to helping people thrive.
Empowering Everyone
We\’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We\’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information
Please contact Heather Welch for a casual conversation. You can reach them by emailing
How to apply
Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word).
Step 2 – Click \’Apply Now\’ to start your online application.
Step 3 – Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

1. Give an example of an activity or event you\’ve run or supported for children. What did you do to keep them engaged?

2. Have you ever been involved in a community event or outreach activity? What was your role and what impact did it have?

3. Can you share an experience where you had to deal with a difficult customer or situation? How did you maintain professionalism and resolve the issue?

4. What strategies do you use to maintain high standards of customer service when working alone, especially during busy or stressful periods?

Step 4 – Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing or calling If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11:30pm, 6 March 2026
Interview date: 19 March 2026

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Onsite

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We\’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you\’ll enjoy:

  • up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
  • membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
  • travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
  • performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
  • training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
  • a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
  • diverse and active staff networks
  • flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website ).

Library and Information Advisor employer: Suffolk County Council

Suffolk County Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff while making a meaningful impact in the community. As a Library and Information Advisor, you will enjoy flexible working options, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth within a supportive and inclusive work culture. Join us in Sudbury to help shape the future of our libraries and make a lasting difference in people's lives.
Suffolk County Council

Contact Detail:

Suffolk County Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Library and Information Advisor

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the library and its community! Before your interview, spend some time in the library, chat with staff and visitors, and understand what makes it tick. This will help you connect with the role and show your genuine interest.

✨Tip Number 2

Practice your customer service skills! Think of scenarios where you might help someone with a tech issue or run a children's activity. Role-playing these situations can boost your confidence and prepare you for real-life interactions.

✨Tip Number 3

Show off your IT skills! Be ready to discuss how you’ve helped others with technology in the past. Whether it's guiding someone through social media or troubleshooting a device, sharing specific examples will make you stand out.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and the council's values right there.

We think you need these skills to ace Library and Information Advisor

Customer Service
Effective Communication
Relationship Building
IT Literacy
Social Media Proficiency
Teamwork
Adaptability
Library Procedures Knowledge
Event Coordination
Community Engagement
Problem-Solving
Interest in Books and Computers

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for libraries and community service shine through. We want to see how much you care about helping people of all ages access the resources they need!

Tailor Your CV and Supporting Statement: Make sure your CV and supporting statement highlight your relevant experience, especially in customer service and working with children. We love seeing how your skills match what we're looking for!

Be Authentic: We value genuine applications, so avoid using AI-generated content. Share your own experiences and ideas to give us a real sense of who you are and what you can bring to the role.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your documents in the right format and keep track of your application.

How to prepare for a job interview at Suffolk County Council

✨Know Your Library Services

Before the interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with the library services offered by Suffolk County Council. Understand their community programmes and digital resources so you can discuss how you would support customers in accessing these services.

✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills

Prepare examples from your past experiences where you delivered excellent customer service. Think about situations where you helped a diverse range of people, especially children and families, as this will resonate well with the role.

✨Engage with Community Activities

Be ready to talk about any experience you have with community events or activities, particularly those involving children. If you’ve led story sessions or crafts, share those stories to demonstrate your enthusiasm for engaging with the community.

✨Demonstrate IT Literacy

Since the role involves helping customers with IT queries, brush up on your own tech skills. Be prepared to discuss how you would assist others with using mobile devices, social media, and other digital tools, showcasing your comfort with technology.

Library and Information Advisor
Suffolk County Council
Location: Sudbury
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