Library Assistant

Location: 1 St John Street, Oxford OX1 2LG

This post may potentially be required to cover the Taylor Institution Library and Nizami Ganjavi Library when needed.

Hours: Full time (36.5 hours per week)

About the role

You will join the Bodleian Libraries' Art, Archaeology & Ancient World Library, delivering excellent front-line services to readers and visitors. You will provide a welcoming, high quality front-line service.

You will answer enquiries, issue and return library materials, support users with library systems, assist with scanning and shelving, help maintain collections, and contribute to projects that ensure an outstanding library service. You may occasionally provide cover at the Taylor Institution Library or Nizami Ganjavi Library.

This is a permanent, full-time post, working 36.5 hours per week.

This role requires regular manual handling and climbing ladders in order to access some of the library’s bookshelves and to re-shelve books.

About You

You will enjoy providing excellent customer service and communicating confidently with a wide range of people. You will be organised, reliable and able to prioritise routine tasks accurately while working as part of a team.

You will have good IT skills, be comfortable handling library materials, and be willing to undertake manual handling activities including shelving books. Previous library experience is desirable but not essential.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days of annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

More information is available at https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits

Diversity

Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave.

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible. If you require the job description or any other materials in an alternative format, or if you would like to request any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact the recruitment team at recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk.

How to apply

Please apply via the ‘Apply’ button above.

You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting evidence form using the attached template as part of your online application. Your supporting evidence form should list each of the essential and desirable selection criteria, as listed in the job description, and explain how you meet each one. CVs alone will not be considered.

We aim to provide a supportive working environment and are happy to discuss training and professional development opportunities. The Chair of this recruitment panel will be Colin Walker, Reader Services Supervisor, who can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role (colin.walker@bodleian.ox.ac.uk).  General queries about the recruitment and application process should be directed to the Recruitment team within our Human Resources department (recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk).

Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (BST) on Monday 20^th July 2026 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place during week commencing 10^th August 2026.

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