Libraries and Archives Apprentice

**About Us**:
**THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF GIRO’S PERSUASIVE POWERS**

Westminster City Council is a world of extraordinary stories. We love it when our work touches lives.

Take Stepping to the Beat, our 3k walk, jog or run for people with learning or physical disabilities or Autism, their families and carers. It’s a life-affirming, music-based event Coreen and Claudia are massively proud of - and they were keen for people to spread the word. So, imagine how thrilled they were when one of our residents, Giro, did just that. Advocating for people with disabilities at a planning meeting for transport in London, he was proudly wearing his event medal. And he decided to use it to encourage others. As he passed it around the room, Giro inspired lots more people with disabilities to get involved. Infectious enthusiasm goes a long way here.

Please view the extraordinary story of Giro’s Persuasive Powers **here**.

**The Role**:
As our Libraries and Archives Apprentice, you can make your own powerful contribution by helping us deliver on our mission to support Westminster’s residents in reading, learning and connecting. This in turn ensures our local community are able to gain knowledge, develop skills and meet up with others - so the scope to create empowering opportunities for people from every walk of life is simply exceptional.

Working as part of a team that is collaborative, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly, this is a unique stepping stone into the wonderful world of Westminster’s libraries. These libraries are a valuable cornerstone in local life, as they serve 200,000 residents, 50,000 businesses and three-quarters-of-a-million people who work in Westminster. If you’d like to get involved in this valuable work, we will therefore provide you with a unique blend of learning and practical work opportunities, ultimately resulting in a Level 3 qualification in Libraries, Information and Archives.

Placed in one of our four libraries, part of your scope will be to develop and deliver activities for children. There will be a great deal of variety in this challenge, as we might ask you to get involved in our recently established (and highly successful) Games Library project, or you could continue to develop activities within the children’s library relating to STEM, IXL Maths and English. Alternatively, you might oversee class visits, chess club, code club or homework club - and that’s just the tip of the iceberg

You will also work with adults, helping them access library facilities and information, answering their questions, ensuring they are confident in using our self-service facilities and helping them develop their proficiency in reading. Whether you are handling routine administrative tasks such as processing memberships and ordering supplies, or coaching an adult in the use of the PCs, you will deliver the highest levels of supportive customer service.

Across all that you do, you will help us work towards our ‘Fairer Westminster’ vision, in which our communities are at the heart of our decision-making. This means we can build a more inclusive city that celebrates everyone, and this ethos is absolutely central to how we operate within our libraries. We want you to help us create resources and events that that will promote the cultures, diversity, identity and heritage of communities, and your work with local children will ensure this important mission is underpinning their learning and reading journeys from the youngest ages.

Please refer to the **Job Description** for more information.

**About You**:
This is a deeply varied role in which you will be interacting with a wide variety of library users and partners ranging from local charities and schools through to the IT department and recycling services. You will therefore need fantastic communication and customer service skills, and you will always be approachable, supportive, knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

With a passion for learning, you will be comfortable using both new and existing technology including the internet, a range of devices, apps and platforms. Crucially, you will also be happy to share this knowledge with library users It also goes without saying that you will love reading, and you will be ready to share your interest in a wide range of literature with others. Ideally you will have a Level 2 qualification in English and Maths, but if you haven’t already achieved these qualifications, we will support you in doing so.

**What We Offer**:
Westminster is an amazing place. We are home to more than 200,000 residents from all backgrounds, over 50,000 vibrant and vital businesses and three-quarters-of-a-million people work in Westminster. Westminster City Council’s strategy is to work towards a Fairer Westminster. A Fairer Westminster is one in which our communities are at the heart of our decision-making and help to determine the city’s future. By working directly with our communities and other partners, we