From April 2025, Croydon Libraries will be operating a new service model. To deliver this we are looking for people who have a passion for customer service and for working as part of a team delivering Croydon’s library services directly to our customers.
This will include providing high-quality customer service, supporting the delivery of activities and events and assisting customers with accessing online information and other resources. You will also be promoting all services to a wide range of customers.
Posts available: 1 x Full-time 36 hours per week permanent and 1 x part-time 18 hours per week permanent. 2 x Full-time 36 hours per week Fixed-term (until end of March 2026) – these posts will be frontline in libraries but will include some outreach activities
Each post will have a set working pattern and will include alternate Saturdays. Libraries are currently open 10-6 Monday to Friday and 9-5 Saturday. All positions will require working full days
Grade 2 £26,238 to £27,030 (pro rata for 18hrs) Previous applicants need not apply.
To implement the policies and objectives of Croydon libraries and archives through the delivery of a high-quality library service which meets the requirements of the local community, and the priorities of the library and culture & heritage strategy.
The full job description can be found here: Library Assistant Role Profile
You will need to be:
- Customer-focussed
- Have excellent communication skills
- Interested in libraries and serving Croydon’s diverse communities
- A team worker
- Enthusiastic in your approach to engagement with customers of all ages
You can find out more about our libraries and activities here Croydon Libraries
Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding Statement:
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.
Interview date: Week commencing tbc
Candidate requirements:
Essential knowledge:
- Sound understanding of what constitutes a successful library service
- Understanding of health and safety; and safeguarding in a library environment
- Understanding of the local government context and the role that libraries can play in addressing the wider priorities of a council (such as health, wellbeing, safeguarding, worklessness, culture etc)
Essential skills and abilities:
- Ability to interact with internal and external contacts, displaying a professional attitude at all times
- Empathy with children and young people
- Able to work largely unsupervised whilst remaining a team player
- Understanding of community engagement, ability to involve the local communities in library service, and ability to host both school and group visits
- Ability to demonstrate proven customer focus and customer service skills
- Ability to communicate confidently and assertively with colleagues, customers, volunteers and partners
- Ability to be an effective initial point of contact for customer enquiries for libraries and archives
- Excellent attention to detail
- Ability to be resilient and embrace change
- Flexibility to work outside of normal office hours
- Committed, loyal, highly motivated and tenacious
- Sufficient proficiency in the operation of the Library service ICT to resolve the majority of library service issues
- Ability to competently use the core Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook), communication tools such as MS Teams and library management systems (LMS)
Essential experience:
- Experience of delivering a customer-focused service
- Experience of working effectively as part of a team
- Experience of working in a results-orientated environment
Special conditions:
- To be able to work at any Croydon library
- Ability to travel between libraries
- Ability to work the hours stated; including evenings and Saturdays
- Wearing of a photo ID/name badge
- Adhere to the council dress code
PLEASE NOTE:
- A cover letter detailing how you meet the above requirements will be required once you have applied below. You will need to send this to: croydon-works@croydon.gov.uk to be considered (please specify in your cover letter which post you wish to be considered for).
- Croydon residents will take priority for this role.
- Previous applicants need not apply.