Librarian (Communities)

Position Overview

INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only.

Job title: Librarian (Communities)

Salary: C3 £32,061 – £33,699 pro‑rata

Hours: Part time, 18.5 hours per week (Wed – Fri)

Contract: Permanent

Location: South area

About the Role

We are looking for a new librarian to join the Communities team at Leeds Libraries. As a Communities Librarian you will play a key role working across the Community Hubs and Libraries in your area, managing stock, delivering key library services, running cultural and community engagement events and activities, and supporting the Customer Service teams. You will be proactive in promoting books and reading, curate book displays, use stock management tools, and support colleagues in multi‑service sites. You will engage audiences of all ages through outreach, assembly, digital inclusion support, holiday events, and more. You will work closely with Customer Service Assistants and support, inform and engage colleagues. You will write Library Development Plans, analyse data, identify opportunities for audience development, and seek new partnerships to support and diversify the library offer.

Responsibilities

• Be proactive in contributing to the development of the library service, engaging in project groups and delivering the priorities of the business plan.
• Work directly with library customers, supporting their information, reading, learning and community needs.
• Creatively contribute to the design, development and delivery of exciting and innovative library events and activities, including learning sessions, for customers of all ages.
• Develop and maintain awareness of sector‑wide best practice.
• Facilitate digital engagement and assist library members with new technologies.
• Assist with audio‑visual and digital support for library events and activities.
• Actively develop and manage stock and other resources ensuring that library resources are well maintained and attractively presented.
• Contribute to ensuring that performance standards and targets are achieved.
• Actively engage with library service users and potential users about services and collections in order to extend use of the service by residents; deliver talks and presentations for the public.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of outreach projects and initiatives.
• Develop and deliver the highest standards of customer engagement, dealing with complex complaints and enquiries.
• Support the wider library staff team and deputise for managers and colleagues in a variety of forums and duties as required, commensurate with grade.
• Manage, lead and motivate your team and community hub colleagues.
• Assist in the recruitment, selection and development of staff, delivering training as required.
• Provide a high standard of day‑to‑day management of a specific department, collection(s), venue and/or staff.
• Develop excellent book knowledge, research and information skills as well as expertise in a specialist field(s).
• Be responsible for the supervision of assigned staff, volunteers and work placements.
• Apply HR policies and procedures consistently, including managing attendance, special leave, improving performance, disciplinary and grievance.
• Follow LCC financial procedures and regulations.
• Carry out risk assessments and implement safe systems of work.
• Be responsible for your personal health and safety and that of other people who use the library service; be vigilant for the safety of the building, opening and closing as required; complete duties of fire marshall, fire warden and emergency incident officer as assigned.
• Carry out the role of duty manager as assigned.
• Work within multiple teams and at other venues as required, be flexible in working hours within your contracted hours and work evenings and weekends as required, including events outside of library opening hours. The work is physical and involves standing, lifting and carrying.
• Carry out duties in accordance with the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy and other policies which respect the rights and needs of customers and colleagues.
• Display resilience to some demanding situations when working directly with the public in an open‑access setting.

Qualifications

• Degree or evidence of relevant experience of public library work.

Skills

• Excellent understanding of, and passion for, the role of public libraries and community librarianship.
• Well‑developed digital skills, confident using technology, maximising its benefits and able to support and encourage customers to develop their skills.
• Can connect readily and naturally with people.
• Committed to customer service excellence, able to deal positively with feedback and difficult situations and to seek positive resolution.
• Excellent communication skills, listening, written and verbal; able to communicate clearly and appropriately to a wide range of audiences.
• Well‑developed organisational skills and show excellent attention to detail.
• Highly motivated team player, able to both support and lead other team members.

Knowledge

• Good knowledge and understanding of the current climate of public libraries.
• Understanding of community‑based working.
• Degree/post‑graduate degree or evidence of relevant experience of public library work.

Experience

• Experience of working in the public library sector.
• Experience of working with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Experience of facilitating work in a community setting and of community team building.
• Experience of supervising others either through employment, volunteering or project‑based work.
• Experience of assessing information, learning and reading needs and using a variety of resources to support.

Behavioural & Other Characteristics

• Adaptable and flexible to changes in workloads, locations and hours.
• Fully committed to Leeds City Council values.
• Abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety Policies.

Desirable Requirements

• Attained a qualification relating to educating adults.
• Degree/postgraduate qualification in Library Studies or Information science.
• Experience of working with vulnerable people in community settings and people from diverse cultural background.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
• Clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• Range of staff benefits to help boost wellbeing and make money go further.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care‑experienced people.

Right to Work

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you’ll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

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