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- Tasks: Assist library visitors, manage book stock, and lead engaging community events.
- Company: Surrey Libraries, a vital community hub promoting learning and social interaction.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, generous holiday, wellness support, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and a passion for community engagement.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with a supportive team environment.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 16 £ per hour.
Working hours: 5 or 6 hours per week (Saturdays).
This role is based at Dorking, Leatherhead or Bookham Library. The salary for this role is £12.42 per hour for working 5 hours per week at Dorking or Leatherhead Libraries, or 6 hours per week at Bookham Library (Saturdays). The full-time equivalent salary is £23,322 per annum.
We are looking for enthusiastic and self-motivated Weekend Library Assistants to join our dedicated teams at either Dorking, Leatherhead or Bookham Library which together form the Dorking Group. You will be based at your chosen Library, but you will also be required to work at the other libraries in this Group.
Libraries are spaces for social interaction, learning and cultural experiences. Acting as an economic enabler providing support for local communities and businesses, Surrey's libraries offer vital services to all members of their communities.
Our Offer to You
- 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service (pro rata for part time staff)
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.
About the Team
Surrey Libraries hold a unique place in our communities. They provide universal access through a programme of reading, learning digital, health and wellbeing activities. Our vision is for our libraries to become hubs of the community that all are proud of. With excellent customer service at its heart, we need people who share this passion to become more successful.
About the Role
There is something for everyone at Surrey's libraries and the same day never happens twice. The library is many different things to many different people. Curious readers come looking for their next adventure. Students meet to revise for their exams. Families gather for Storytime and Rhymetime. Special interest groups share their passions and older people access resources and secure their bus pass. Weekend Assistants greet each person with a positive attitude and resilient approach to any request.
Customer service is at the forefront of the library service. They are busy, lively places to work, requiring flexibility, creativity, and initiative. This could mean helping someone with a reading recommendation, thinking up new themes for book displays, planning events or assisting people with information and virtual services. Maintaining, presenting, and processing book stock is also a major part of the role.
The role may include leading craft events, Rhymetime and Storytime sessions, and assisting with other activities directed at both children and adults. From time to time there will be a need for lone working or single staffing at this and other libraries in the area.
Your Application
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following criteria and align with our behaviours:
- Proven experience in providing or receiving excellent customer service.
- Evidence of observing or contributing to a community service that made a positive impact.
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions. Please highlight your strengths and any transferable skills or experience:
- What has motivated you to apply for the Surrey Library Service? (150 words)
- Can you please provide an example when you either provided, or received, excellent customer service? (150 words)
- Our libraries are a vital community resource. Describe an instance where you observed or contributed to a community service making a positive impact. (150 words)
- Can you name 3 things you would do to attract more people to our libraries and what skills you have to help with this? (150 words)
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.
If shortlisted for interview, you will be sent interview questions in advance and you will be asked to read a short story.
Contact Us
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 22/02/2026 with interviews planned for week commencing 02/03/2026.
We look forward to receiving your application.
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we are committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Weekend Library Assistant in Leatherhead employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Weekend Library Assistant in Leatherhead
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the libraries in your area! Visit Dorking, Leatherhead, or Bookham Library before your interview. Familiarising yourself with the space and its community will help you stand out as someone who genuinely cares about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your customer service skills! Think of specific examples where you've gone above and beyond for someone. Whether it’s helping a friend find a book or assisting a stranger, these stories can really make your application pop.
✨Tip Number 3
Be creative! Libraries are all about engaging the community, so come prepared with ideas for events or activities that could attract more visitors. This shows initiative and a passion for making the library a vibrant place.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and ready to embrace the digital side of library services.
We think you need these skills to ace Weekend Library Assistant in Leatherhead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for libraries shine through! We want to see why you’re excited about joining our team and how you can contribute to making our libraries vibrant community hubs.
Be Specific with Examples: For those questions in the application, don’t just say you’ve provided great customer service—tell us a story! Share specific examples that highlight your skills and experiences. This helps us see how you fit into our library culture.
Tailor Your Responses: Make sure your answers align with the job description. Use keywords from the posting to show that you understand what we’re looking for. This will help your application stand out and show us you’re a great match for the role.
Check Your Application Before Submitting: Before you hit that submit button, give your application a good once-over. Check for typos, ensure your answers are clear, and make sure you’ve followed all the instructions. A polished application shows us you care!
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Libraries
Before the interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with the libraries in Dorking, Leatherhead, and Bookham. Understand their unique offerings and community roles. This will help you answer questions about why you want to work there and how you can contribute.
✨Customer Service Examples
Prepare specific examples of when you've provided excellent customer service. Think about situations where you went above and beyond to help someone. This is crucial since the role heavily focuses on customer interaction and support.
✨Community Impact Insights
Reflect on your experiences related to community service. Be ready to discuss a time when you contributed positively to your community. This shows your understanding of the library's role as a community hub and your commitment to making a difference.
✨Creative Ideas for Engagement
Think of three innovative ways to attract more visitors to the libraries. Whether it's events, book displays, or community partnerships, having fresh ideas will demonstrate your initiative and creativity, which are key traits for this role.
