Library and Information Advisor (Redeployment 23300) in Sudbury

Suffolk County Council is 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.

Your role and responsibilities:

• 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 story time, crafts, and community events.
• Deliver sessions based on the Suffolk Community Libraries Word Play model, designed for pre-school children and their parents and carers.
• 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. It is also a lone working post and as such you’ll be expected to open and close the library buildings. A large part of the role will be working with pre-school age children and their parents and carers.

Your working pattern:

• Week 1: Thursday - Clare library delivering Word Play sessions (9.30-12.30), Friday - Glemsford library (10am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm), Sunday - Clare library (10am - 2pm).
• Week 2: Thursday - Clare library delivering Word Play sessions (9.30-12.30), Friday - Glemsford library (10am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm), Sunday - Glemsford library (11am - 3pm).

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

For more information, please contact Sharon Chapman for a casual conversation at sharon.chapman2@suffolk.gov.uk.

How to apply:

• Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP).
• Step 2 – Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
• Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering specific questions.
• 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 at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or call 03456 014412.

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, 9 June 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.