Library Assistant

Location: Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Oxford OX2 6AH

Hours: Part time (12 hours per week / 0.3288 FTE)

About the role

You will provide high quality front-line library services, welcoming readers and visitors, assisting with admissions procedures, issuing and returning library materials, responding to enquiries and helping users access print and electronic resources. You will also support shelving, stock management and routine technical services activities, ensuring collections remain accessible and well maintained.

This role requires lifting and carrying boxes of library materials, pushing trolleys, and using ladders and kick-stools to access and re-shelve materials.

This is a permanent part-time post, working 12 hours per week. The anticipated working pattern will be agreed as either Monday and Tuesday, 08:45 to 15:30 (including a 45-minute unpaid lunch break), or Monday and Tuesday, 09:00 to 13:00 and Wednesday, 13:00 to 17:00. This will be agreed with the successful candidate.

About You

You will have excellent spoken and written English, strong customer service skills and the confidence to communicate courteously with readers, colleagues and the public. You will be educated to GCSE level or equivalent, have good IT skills, including Microsoft Office, and be able to work accurately, prioritise tasks and contribute effectively as part of a team. You will be able to lift and move books safely and demonstrate reliability, discretion and a commitment to delivering an excellent library service. Experience of working in a library or customer service environment and familiarity with library management systems would be advantageous.

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

You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting evidence form using the attached template as part of your online application (via the ‘Apply’ button above). 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. Both documents must be submitted to 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 Jocelyn English, Librarian-in-Charge, who can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role (jocelyn.english@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 Wednesday 5^th August 2026 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 16^th and Thursday 17^th September 2026.

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