Library Team Assistant

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC623614
Salary Range: £25,186 - £26,244 pro-rata, per annum (actual salary £7,467 - £7,881 per annum)
Work Location: Ringwood and Fordingbridge Libraries
Hours: 500 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent (Annualised Hours)
Closing Date: 17 August 2026
Interview Date: 27 August 2026

The Role:

Make a real difference in your local community as a Library Team Assistant (Annualised Hours Contract). This vibrant, people-focused role places you at the heart of a dynamic library environment where no two days are the same. You’ll deliver excellent customer service, lead engaging activities, support digital access, and help visitors of all ages feel welcome and empowered. If you thrive in a fast-paced setting and enjoy variety, teamwork, and helping others, this is the role for you.

“I truly look forward to coming to work each day. I continue to learn new skills and see the positive impact our service has within the community – it’s incredibly fulfilling.” – Library Team Assistant

What you’ll do:

• Create a welcoming, inclusive space and support customers of all ages to engage with the full range of library services.
• Lead Rhyme Time and Story Time sessions and promote reading initiatives like the Summer Reading Challenge.
• Carry out manual tasks such as moving furniture, lifting boxes, and setting up spaces for activities.
• Help customers build digital confidence across a range of devices and support with admin tasks including payments, calls, and stock management.
• Promote library services through social media and work with external partners to engage the wider community.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience in a busy, customer-facing role, with a friendly and inclusive approach to working with the public.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to adapt to different people and situations.
• Strong digital skills, with confidence using Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and learning new systems.
• Comfortable using social media to engage with the community and raise awareness of services, or open to learning with support and training provided.
• Physically able to carry out manual tasks such as moving stock and setting up spaces.
  
  

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about Library Team Assistant role. The ‘About you’ section explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements in your application.

How you’ll work
This role is offered on an annualised hours contract, meaning your total hours are spread across the year rather than worked to a fixed weekly pattern. You’ll provide cover for annual leave and sickness across our libraries in Ringwood and Fordingbridge primarily, however cover will also be required at Lymington and New Milton Libraries. More hours will be available during busy periods like school holidays, Christmas, and Saturdays. You’ll need to be able to travel regularly to all listed locations.

Your shift rota is provided four weeks in advance, giving you time to plan around work and life commitments, although short-notice cover may occasionally be required. While your hours may vary month to month, your pay remains consistent – split evenly across the year. We’re looking for someone with good availability throughout the week who enjoys flexible working and being part of a team that keeps our libraries running smoothly.

Why join us?

• Be part of a supportive, caring team that takes pride in making a positive impact.
• Enjoy a varied, feel-good role that helps people and strengthens community connections.
• Benefit from a comprehensive induction and training plan, as well as ongoing opportunities for career development.
• Enjoy a good work-life balance with no Sunday or Bank Holiday working.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here.
  
  

Want to see what it’s like?
If you'd like to experience the environment first-hand, we warmly encourage you to pop into your local library – you’ll quickly see how dynamic, welcoming, and community-driven our spaces really are!

Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received, therefore the advert may close early.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK before applying.

Other job titles you may be searching for: Library Assistant, Community Library Support, Customer Service Assistant, Library and Information Assistant, Community Engagement Assistant, Visitor Services Assistant, Community Hub Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Outreach and Events Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Customer Support Assistant.

Travel Requirements:

You may be required to visit other locations within Hampshire, and therefore need to have the ability to travel, as necessary.

Additional Information:

Library Team Assistant Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

For general enquiries, please contact care.careers@hants.gov.uk
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Library Team Managers: Sue Shepherd on susan.shepherd@hants.gov.uk or Lisa Wills on lisa.wills@hants.gov.uk

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.