At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the Technical Services team and gain hands-on experience in library operations.
- Company: University of Bath, a diverse and inclusive workplace with a global reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, professional development, and discounts on gym and courses.
- Why this job: Kick-start your library career while engaging with students and enhancing your skills.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills, customer service experience, and attention to detail.
- Other info: Full-time role with opportunities for creativity and collaboration in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 25100 - 26093 £ per year.
Graduate Trainee Library Assistant (CC13120) – Bath, BA2 7AY
This is a fantastic opportunity for a graduate who is seeking a substantial, practical and varied academic library-based experience prior to their study to become a Library and Information professional.
About the role
You will form a crucial part of the Technical Services team, being able to work in response to patterns of greatest need, focussing on the Acquisitions and Copy and Print areas. There is also capacity for you to work in and explore other areas of the library, to broaden your knowledge and demonstrate the range of library roles.
Additionally, there will be the opportunity to engage fully with development events and training, learn about the work of the Library service as a whole, and engage with libraries beyond the University, as well as undertaking cross-library project group work. Membership of the Library\’s Staff Development Group and the Library Engagement Group are offered – and these can give exciting opportunities to get involved with student engagement and social media.
There is an expectation that you will work towards Certification with CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals) during your tenure. This Certification is recognised by the post-nominals ACLIP, and completion before undertaking the qualification is recommended, to give weight to your ongoing application process. The University also offers staff a wide range of training and development courses.
About you
You will be an accomplished, versatile communicator and a proactive team player, keen to kick-start your career in the library and information profession!
We are looking for someone with excellent customer services skills, who enjoys working in a frontline environment, as you will be dealing directly with users of the University Library. You will also have flexibility, and the ability to undertake process-driven, detail-oriented work in a backroom capacity.
You will have the opportunity to engage with students, and help create promotional events for the library, so creativity and a collaborative approach will be welcomed.
Therefore, you will be a reliable and committed team worker, with:
- a combination of technical expertise and communication skills
- the proven ability to work in a team
- a strong customer care ethos
- attention to fine detail
- excellent IT skills
Further information
This is a full-time post based primarily in the Library’s Technical Services area, for a fixed-term period of up to 24 months.
For an informal discussion about this post please contact Zoe Hurley, Bibliographic Services Librarian at , or Matt Durant, Head of Operational Services, at .
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
We\’re very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. an accredited Disability Confident Leader ; autism friendly university , committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff .
What we can offer you
We\’re continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:
- Free counselling services through Health Assured
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
- Staff discount on language courses
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
- A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
- Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- Local discounts and more
- A family-friendly workplace
- An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
- Relocation allowance
Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us X and LinkedIn .
Closing Date: 10 Nov 2025
Department: Management, Specialist and Administration
Salary: £25,100 to £26,093
Please note the annual salary quoted is inclusive of a market supplement to ensure the annual pay rate aligns with our commitment as a voluntary living wage employer.
Graduate Trainee Library Assistant (CC13120) - Bath, BA2 7AY employer: University of Bath
Contact Detail:
University of Bath Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Trainee Library Assistant (CC13120) - Bath, BA2 7AY
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current library staff or alumni from your university who are in the field. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or examples of your work that highlight your customer service and IT skills. Bring them along to interviews to demonstrate what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see an opportunity to volunteer or get involved in library events, jump on it. This shows your enthusiasm and commitment to the library profession.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the latest opportunities and updates right there.
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Trainee Library Assistant (CC13120) - Bath, BA2 7AY
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Graduate Trainee Library Assistant role. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description, especially your customer service skills and teamwork abilities.
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for the library and information profession! Share any relevant experiences or projects that demonstrate your commitment to this field, whether it's through volunteering, internships, or coursework.
Be Detail-Oriented: Pay close attention to detail in your application. Ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors, as this reflects your ability to undertake process-driven work. A polished application shows you care about the role!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application is seen by the right people and gives you a chance to explore more about us and what we offer!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Bath
✨Know Your Library Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of library services and the role of a Library Assistant. Familiarise yourself with key terms like acquisitions, cataloguing, and user engagement. This will show your genuine interest in the position and help you answer questions confidently.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Since you'll be working directly with library users, prepare examples of how you've provided excellent customer service in the past. Think about situations where you resolved issues or helped someone find what they needed. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a frontline environment.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Flexibility
The role requires a proactive team player, so be ready to discuss your experiences working in teams. Highlight instances where you collaborated on projects or adapted to changing needs. This will illustrate your versatility and commitment to contributing positively to the library's goals.
✨Engage with Creativity
Since the position involves creating promotional events, think of creative ideas you could bring to the table. Prepare to share any relevant experiences where you used creativity in a project or event. This will show that you're not just detail-oriented but also enthusiastic about engaging with the library community.