Library Attendant

Salary: £23,393 per annum, pro rata
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 04 April 2024
The Role
Library Attendants are essential to the running of the University libraries, working either during core Library service hours or during evening, overnight and weekend opening hours. You will provide excellent customer service, and ensure that the library is opened safely and securely during periods of limited staffing. You may be required to work at any of the Library sites, and duties will vary in emphasis depending on the shifts that are worked.
Previous experience of working in a customer focused service environment is essential. You will possess good interpersonal and customer care skills and the ability to work accurately and with attention to detail.
Mobility and physical fitness consistent with the need to push trolleys, carry parcels and move equipment is essential. You will also be required to undertake mandatory health and safety training relevant to the role.
We have three roles available, all part time: one for 20.5 hours, one for 21 hours, and one for 28 hours. The work patterns are listed below, which include 8 weeks of adjusted schedule times during periods in January, April and May when the Walton Library is open until midnight:
Post 1 (20.5 hours): Monday 09:00 – 17:00, Thursday 14:30 – 22:00 (16:30 – 00:00 during midnight opening), Saturday 10:00 – 17:00
Post 2 (21 hours): Tuesday 09:00 – 17:00, Wednesday 14:30pm – 22:00pm (16:30 – 00:00 during midnight opening), Friday 09:00 – 17:00.
Post 3 (28 hours): Monday 09:00 – 17:00, Wednesday 09:00 – 17:00, Thursday 09:00 – 17:00, Friday 14:30 – 22:00 (16:30 – 00:00 during midnight opening).
Informal enquiries can be addressed to Linda Errington at linda.errington@newcastle.ac.uk .
To apply please upload CV and answer mandatory application questions relating to your experience.
Key Accountabilities
To provide a reception service dealing with general and directional enquiries, keeping relevant records of these, as required, and referring more complex enquiries to Customer Services staff
To use the Library Management system to carry out a range of functions including both customer-facing and stock maintenance activities
To provide assistance to customers in the use of a range of Library equipment, and to maintain this equipment as required, for example replenishing printers and photocopiers, and reporting faults as necessary
To empty book-bins and load trolleys, and to sort, shelve, tidy and retrieve library materials
To carry out first aid and fire safety duties, including supporting the use of EVAC chairs, undertaking routine patrols and safety checks, reporting defects, and testing fire alarms
To contribute to overall building safety and security and responding to emergency situations, taking appropriate action to minimise damage or distress, e.g. assisting with emergency evacuations, dealing with floods
To carry out incidental cleaning to ensure the good order of the Library, emptying waste bins, taking refuse to appropriate collection points, moving furniture and replenishing sanitary supplies
Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Good standard of literacy and numeracy
Good communication, interpersonal and customer care skills
Good IT skills, including experience of using packages in the MS Office suite, and ability to use search engines
Awareness of the range of library services and resources
Ability to work accurately and with attention to detail
Ability to work as part of a team and independently
Experience of working in a customer focused service, and an appreciation of the importance of maintaining a clean and tidy environment
Capable of pushing trolleys, carrying books and furniture, and of working at height
Attributes and Behaviours
Is factually correct and gives consistent information
Clear and concise; gets the message across to others
Keeps other team members up to date with progress
Willing to help others and share workloads
Keeps other team members up to date with progress
Works in a planned and structured way
Ensures that all activities are completed on time to meet set standards
Uses own and others’ time effectively
Pays attention to detail
Strives to deliver high quality results
Is enthusiastic in getting the job done on time
Qualifications
5 GCSE passes at Grade C or above, or equivalent
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 26880