Job Description

Are you looking for a role where you are not always sat behind a desk?



West Sussex Libraries are looking for a friendly, confident, and resourceful Library Assistant to join our high-performing team at Horsham Library.



Our staff make great things happen in libraries every day - inspiring readers of all ages, helping people get online safely and bringing communities together.



As a Library Assistant, you will be at the centre of this service, providing excellent customer support, helping visitors access resources, and ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the library.

Salary:

24,413 to 24,796 per annum, 4,618 to 4,691 (pro rata for part time)

Contract Type:

Permanent

Working Pattern:

Part-time (7 hours per week) Saturdays only.

Location:

Horsham Library

,

Lower Tanbridge Way, Horsham, RH12 1PJ

Interview Date:

week commencing Monday 27 October 2025.

We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage you to submit your application at your earliest convenience.

About the Job


Horsham is a busy, friendly library in a spacious building on two floors, located in the town centre close to shops and services.



We are looking for friendly, enthusiastic, and resourceful individuals who have exceptional digital skills and a genuine passion to make a difference to the local community.



It's not just about the books! We are looking for someone who understands the power of community and the importance of fostering a love for reading in people of all ages.



Library Assistants welcome everyone with a positive attitude and a resilient approach to every request. Providing excellent customer service is central to our library service, creating dynamic and engaging environments. Flexibility, creativity, and initiative are essential qualities for success.



Your responsibilities will include:


Being the dedicated go-to person for customers at the library, passionately helping them with their questions and guiding them to other services. Organising and maintaining returned books and other library resources in alphabetical and numerical order. Using a variety of IT systems and services confidently and effectively including entering basic data into the library system, such as registering new members. Responding to basic enquiries from customers and colleagues, both in person and over the phone. Helping with reading recommendations. Maintaining, presenting, and processing book stock.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead engaging in person Story-time sessions. We are looking for a confident individual who will play a vital role in inspiring a love for reading. Listen to one of our online Storytimes, recorded by library staff:

Storytime Online - YouTube

The variety of our work means that no two days are the same. We get huge job satisfaction from helping everyone who comes through our doors, and you could too!


Required Qualifications and Skills


4 GCSEs with 9-4 / A-C passes including Maths and English, or equivalent qualification/experience. Experience working collaboratively within a team to complete shared tasks. Digital skills to effectively assist customers, including navigating emails and accessing the library website, app, and eLibrary. Strong communication and customer service skills to engage effectively with the public. Capable of managing library resources responsibly and reporting any issues as needed. Excellent numeracy and literacy skills to organise resources alphabetically and numerically, as well as to process payments for books at the helpdesk. Able to meet set deadlines such as organising and shelving books in a timely manner.

For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the attached.

Rewards and Benefits


From access to our Employee Assistance Programme to training and development opportunities, we aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.



We think libraries are great places to work, where you can make a difference to local communities every day. Find out more about the variety that comes with working in a library and hear first-hand from some of our library staff here:

Library Jobs - West Sussex

You will benefit from

25

days annual leave (pro rata for part time) rising to 28 days (pro rata for part time) after 5 years' service plus the opportunity to buy additional leave, an excellent

local government pension scheme

as well as a range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers.



For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our

Rewards and Benefits page.

Further Information


The reference number for this role is

CPP01217

.



For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Claudia Fox at

claudia.fox@westsussex.gov.uk

For an informal conversation regarding the application process, please contact Rosa Siracusa (Recruitment Specialist) at

Rosa.Siracusa@westsussex.gov.uk

For issues or queries regarding your application please contact

hrrecruitment@westsussex.gov.uk

Does this sound like the opportunity for you? Click apply below, upload your CV, and complete the application form, explaining how you meet the key skills in the attached job description and experience you can bring to the role. Please ensure that all gaps in employment are covered in your CV.

We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage you to submit your application at your earliest convenience.

Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.



Struggling to apply?

Book onto a Digital Support Session

in a library near you to get help navigating our application form.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to 3 years referencing and a health check.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.



We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our

application help

page.



RSi



LOCATION

Horsham area

CONTRACT TYPE

Permanent

JOB TYPE

Libraries and Record Office

CLOSING DATE

20 October 2025