Evening & Weekend Library Assistant

About the Role: Evening & Weekend Library Assistant

The Bodleian Libraries is seeking a part-time Evening & Weekend Library Assistant to join their dedicated team. This role is based at the Bodleian Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library, a key research library within the University of Oxford, specializing in archaeology, art history, classics, Egyptology, ancient Near Eastern studies, and architecture. Working closely with other Humanities Libraries, this position contributes to delivering essential reader services across the group.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a friendly, professional, and efficient frontline service during evenings and weekends.
• Welcome readers and visitors, administer admissions procedures, and respond to enquiries at Issue and Enquiry Desks.
• Support readers in utilizing the library catalogue and other reader-facing systems.
• Assist with issuing, returning, and renewing library materials.
• Help maintain a safe and secure study environment for all library users.
• Contribute to collections work, including re-shelving materials and assisting with stock management projects.
• Perform scanning of materials for the 'Scan and Deliver' service.
• Provide cover at other Section 3 libraries or, in exceptional circumstances, other Bodleian Humanities Libraries as needed.
• The role involves physical duties such as lifting, carrying, and shelving books, climbing ladders, and pushing trolleys.

Working Hours

This is a permanent part-time post, requiring 12.25 hours per week. The anticipated working pattern is Tuesdays 17:00-21:15 and Sundays 10:45-19:15.

About You

The ideal candidate will be educated to GCSE level or equivalent and possess excellent communication skills to interact clearly, confidently, and courteously with both readers and colleagues. A strong commitment to delivering exceptional customer service is essential, along with the ability to work effectively as part of a team in a busy public-facing environment. You should be comfortable using IT systems, including standard Microsoft Office applications, and capable of approaching routine tasks with precision and accuracy. Reliability, punctuality, and the physical ability to safely lift, carry, and transport books are also key requirements for this role.

Benefits

The University of Oxford offers a supportive working environment and a comprehensive range of employee benefits, 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 regarding benefits can be found at https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, you are required to upload your CV and a supporting evidence form using the provided template as part of your online application. The supporting evidence form must detail how you meet each of the essential and desirable selection criteria listed in the job description. Please note that CVs submitted without the supporting evidence form will not be considered.

The Chair of the recruitment panel is Colin Walker. For role-specific enquiries, please contact Frank Egerton at frank.egerton@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. General queries regarding the recruitment process should be directed to recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk.

The application deadline is 12:00 midday (GMT) on Monday 2 March 2026. Interviews are scheduled for the week commencing 16 March 2026 or 23 March 2026.

Key skills/competency

• Customer Service
• Library Operations
• Reader Services
• Information Management
• Attention to Detail
• Team Collaboration
• IT Proficiency
• Physical Dexterity
• Communication Skills
• Time Management