Library Assistant - Prison Team

How you'll make a difference As a Library Assistant, you will be working at HMP Leyhill within the Library team, managing a well-stocked library whilst supporting literacy, learning and rehabilitation within the prison community. What you will be doing Working alongside the Librarian and a small team of prison orderlies, you will assist with requests and enquiries and promoting and delivering the library service for prisoners. Using the library computer system, you will manage loans and returns and maintain the books and DVDs in the library. It will be key for you to take part in reading and literacy initiatives under the guidance of the Librarian. With support from prison staff, it will be your responsibility to oversee the team when the Librarian is not working. Regularly, you will need to undertake the physical aspects of the job including shelving and counter work, lifting and carrying books and unpacking and packing crates from our deliveries. What we need from you We require you to hold a minimum of 3 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including maths and English or an equivalent qualification. It is essential that you have experience of working in an environment where customer care was an important part of service delivery. Given the elements of this role, you must have experience of working as part of a team and be able to work on your own initiative so you can achieve collective goals. You will be required to work with people of all ages and backgrounds and understand equal opportunities. You must be a clear communicator with a passion for books, films and the promotion of reading. You will have excellent IT and digital skills. What you need to know Your working days will be Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Your salary is pro-rata to hours worked. You will be working in a Category D open prison, and you will need to comply with security procedures and undertake appropriate training. HMPPS vetting and clearances will be required for this post, this will be organised by the prison. Please note that due to the nature of this role, it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained. Interviews will be held on Thursday 18th December 2025. How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities. We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities. We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work. We trust our team to work in the way which allows them to make the biggest difference, and we continue to invest in technology to help staff do their jobs to the best of their ability and celebrate innovation. Office-based, you’ll be part of a team. If you need specialist expertise or just a bit of advice from someone who’s been there and done it, it’s right there for you. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Ensuring all our staff are given right skills, knowledge and support to recognise and respond effectively to potential abuse or neglect. Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here. We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of. We're planning for the future; building and improving the roads, railways, schools, green spaces, and houses. We’re providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained. We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference. We’re making a difference, be part of it! To view the full job description, please click this link: Prison Library Assistant - Job Description