About Us

OUR VISION-How Richmond upon Thames Libraries see the future.

 ‘Communities within Richmond upon Thames will realise their potential through the personal, profession, social and cultural development opportunities provided by their library service.’

 Our Library Assistants play a vital role in promoting reading, supporting learning and encouraging our visitors to participate in the rich cultural and community life of Richmond upon Thames.

 Do you want to be part of our exciting, high-performing service as we look to the future and embrace new technologies and innovation in order to meet the needs of our customers?

About you 

Do you want to help us deliver our strategies of:

• Inspiring a community of readers of all ages. 
• Empowering learners and bridging the digital divide.
• Supporting health, wellbeing and inclusion.
• Opportunities for cultural and creative enrichment.
• Promoting sustainable choices.
• Instilling a sense of pride and belonging.

Essential criteria include:

• The ability to communicate clearly, and with understanding, when working with the public including using the telephone email and social media.
• The ability and confidence to deal with challenging situations in a calm and effective manner.

Day to day duties include:

You will shelve and tidy stock, promoting it and helping customers choose books and ensuring that our collections are ordered, well-presented and accessible.

 You will also help to deliver a wide range of reading events, such as weekly Rhymetimes and author talks.

 You will use a range of IT systems and services at a high level. 

 You will answer customer and colleague enquiries both in person and on the phone.

 You will be required to work in any of our 12 libraries across the borough, so you will need to be flexible in your attitude to work.

 We have full-time and part-time posts.

 Full-time 36-hour posts working 4 days every week and every other Saturday.

Weekdays from 9.15 – 6.15/7.15

Saturdays from 9.15 – 4.15

 Part-time 18-hour posts working in general 2 days each week and every other Saturday.

Weekdays 9.15 – 6.15/7.15

Saturdays 9.15 – 4.15

 Part-time 18-hour Lunch Cover posts working 4 days each week and every other Saturday. 

Weekdays 10.30 - 2.15

Saturdays 9.15 - 4.15

Benefits

A generous holiday allowance of 32 days plus bank holidays pro rata. 

In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops, and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities are also offered.

Richmond and Wandsworth are currently reviewing our pay, reward and benefits framework, in partnership with Trade Union colleagues. We are developing different options that make sure we have a fair and transparent system in place. 

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date:  Sunday 8th^t October 

Shortlisting Date: Week beginning 9^th October 2023

Interview Date: Week beginning 23^rd  October 2023

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and

could be subject to change.

Applicants will need to address the questions on the application form and attach their latest CV.

The shortlisted applicants will have an opportunity to demonstrate how they meet the skills, knowledge and experience requirements of this role at interview.

Equality Statement 

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer Important. 

This recruitment process will be anonymised. 

Important Information:

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitme

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils