Library Assistant - Birmingham

Library Assistant - Birmingham at GBS

Department: Provost

Location: Birmingham (On-Site)

Type of Contract: Permanent - Part Time (30 Hours)

Salary: £22,500

What We Do

Our Library Team supports our students and staff by providing access to academic resources, expert guidance and creating welcoming, well equipped spaces that foster independent study, collaboration and academic success.

Our Vision

Changing Lives through Education

The Role

The Library Assistant plays a vital role in the daily operations of the library, providing hands on support to ensure a seamless and efficient experience for all users. This position includes delivering 30-to-60 minute library-in-the-classroom workshops to students in collaboration with Lecturers, facilitating book and laptop loans, managing study spaces, assisting students in locating and using library resources, and delivering general support to maintain a welcoming and functional library environment. The role requires flexibility to cover multiple campuses and includes day, evening, and weekend shifts to meet the diverse needs of the library’s users. The evening and weekend role requires a commitment to working evenings and weekends and would require flexibility to accommodate this.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship!

What The Role Involves

• Circulation Services: Oversee the checkout and return process for library materials, including books, laptops, and other loanable resources. Maintain accurate records of loans, returns, and overdue items, ensuring compliance with library policies. Assist users in understanding borrowing policies and resolving loan-related issues, such as renewals or late fees.
• Study Space Management: Monitor and manage study spaces to ensure they are clean, organised, and conducive to learning. Oversee the reservation system for study rooms and other library facilities, helping users book and access spaces as needed. Address and resolve any issues related to study space usage, promoting a respectful and collaborative environment.
• Student Assistance: Be confident delivering engaging, interactive in-class library use sessions. Provide guidance to students on locating books, articles, and other resources within the library or through digital platforms. Help users navigate library catalogues, databases, and other tools to access information effectively. Offer basic technical support for library equipment, including computers, printers, and photocopiers.
• Resource and Collection Maintenance: Assist in shelving returned booked and maintaining the organisation of library collections. Conduct routine checks to ensure resources are correctly shelved and easily accessible. Report damaged or misplaced items and assist in basic inventory management tasks.
• General Library Support: Provide friendly and knowledgeable service to all library users, addressing inquiries and offering support in a timely manner. Act as a first point of contact for visitors, ensuring they are directed to the appropriate resources or services. Support library staff with administrative tasks, event preparation, or special projects as needed.
• Flexible Campus Coverage and Scheduling: Rotate between multiple campuses, providing consistent library services across all locations. Work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to ensure library accessibility for all users. Adapt quickly to the needs of different campuses and user groups, maintaining a high standard of service.
• Promoting Library Services: Help raise awareness of library services, resources, and events through user interactions and by distributing promotional materials. Encourage students to explore the library’s full range of offerings, including workshops, digital tools, and research support. Provide feedback to library management on user needs and suggestions to improve service delivery.

About You

Required:

• Proven ability to deliver excellent front-line service.
• Friendly, approachable, and able to engage effectively with a diverse user base.
• Experience working with students in a classroom or instructional setting.
• Confidence in delivering 30-60 minute library-in-the-classroom sessions.
• Clear verbal and written communication, particularly in guiding students and explaining resources or policies.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with lecturers and other staff.
• Able to multitask and prioritise in a busy environment.
• Accuracy in maintaining records (e.g. loans, reservations, inventory).
• Ability to use standard digital tools (Microsoft Office, email, web browsers).
• Comfortable learning library systems and basic troubleshooting for equipment like printers and laptops.
• Willingness to work across different campuses and shifts, including evenings and weekends.
• Capable of working as part of a team, while also managing tasks independently.
• Attention to detail. Accurate shelving, cataloguing, and maintenance of resources.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with library management software (e.g. Koha, Alma, Sierra) or cataloguing systems.
• Prior experience in a university, college or school library environment.
• Confidence assisting users with common tech issues (printers, logging into systems, using databases).
• Ability to promote services and events through posters, handouts, or informal marketing.
• Enthusiasm for supporting student learning and information literacy.
• Multilingual or cross-cultural experience, particularly mature students and students who speak English as an additional language.

What We Offer

• 25 days annual leave, plus 8 public holidays.
• 1-day extra leave per year of service, up to a maximum of 5 days.
• Workplace pension scheme.
• Tuition reimbursement for career development courses.
• Flexible Benefits: Cycle to Work, Workplace Nursery, Techscheme and much more.
• Perks@Work discounts platform, wellbeing centre and much more.
• Reward and recognition programme.
• £500 award employee referral scheme.
• Discretionary annual performance bonus.

“GBS has been a good place for professional growth. I have received great support from managers and colleagues who have encouraged me to develop new skills and take on more senior roles. Their mentorship has been invaluable to help me advance in my career.” — Barbara Vargas (Professional Services Employee)

GBS is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace free from discrimination or harassment. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. We take our core values seriously and work hard to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed.

Key skills/competency

• Front-line Service Excellence
• Student Engagement
• Instructional Delivery
• Circulation Management
• Study Space Supervision
• Information Literacy Support
• Digital Tools Proficiency
• Library Systems Navigation
• Record Keeping Accuracy
• Flexible Campus Coverage