Job Description

Part Time, Fixed Term Contract to 31

st

March 2027

This is an exciting opportunity to join the team at Bristol's flagship Central Library as a weekend Library Assistant.



Are you passionate about books and reading? Would you like to help people get online and navigate the internet? Do you enjoy helping people find the information they need? Do you want to work at the heart of the community providing a vital public service to all?


Are you committed to the ethos of public libraries and encouraging people to get the maximum benefit from our library service and facilities?


If so, then we want you to come and join our friendly team. We need customer-focused people to help us run and develop a high-quality service at Bristol Central Library.

This post is not available for job share and availability for all specified sessions is required. The role is not suitable for home working or hybrid working, as they are required to be physically present in Central Library.

You will carry out a diverse range of tasks with no two days being the same, helping customers to get the most out of their libraries.



You will be helping customers find specific titles and reserving them, dealing with new membership, signposting customers to websites for information, booking customers on to IT support sessions or author events, preparing and delivering story-time and singing sessions for babies and toddlers and encouraging children to join reading activities.



You will also undertake tasks to ensure the smooth running of the libraries: processing new stock using our library computer system, dealing with email and phone enquiries, cashing up and associated processes, unpacking and sorting items arriving in crates from around the city and liaising with contractors arriving on site for maintenance and repairs.


Manual handling, display screen equipment, and other training will be given, to ensure tasks are carried out safely.



The Central Library is an iconic Grade 1 listed building that sees approximately 1000 visitors a day, it is a complex building with seven floors including two public floors and a historic reading room; areas of the library are often used for exhibitions and events. Services from Central Library include a lending library for adults and children, a reference library, research and study spaces, computer areas, a business centre, a cafe and meeting and hire spaces. The library is also the central hub for the distribution of stock and resources across the Bristol Libraries network of libraries.

All posts are subject to a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service basic disclosure check.

If after reading the job description and person specification, you would like more information about these roles please email Marisa Fish,

marisa.fish@bristol.gov.uk

10.5hrs:

Week 1- Saturday 10:00-17:00, Sunday 12:30-17:00.



Week 2 - Saturday 09:30-17:00, Sunday 13:00-17.00.



Week 3 - Saturday 10:00-17:00, Sunday 12:30-17:00.



Week 4 - Saturday 09.30-17.00, Sunday 13:00-17:00.

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation.

Join us and you'll receive an excellent rewards package including membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you'll be working in a supportive environment where you'll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

How do I apply?

If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.

To be shortlisted for interview you'll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.

It is Bristol City Council's practice to request references for candidates that have been offered a job. However, if you are applying for a job that requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check then we will request your references once you have been invited to an interview.

We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applications from young people, Black and racially minoritised, disabled and male candidates who are currently under-represented within this service of Bristol City Council. Appointments will be made on merit.

The personal information section (including your name) you'll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.