Library Officer

THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF LISA'S DRIVE

Growth, Planning and Housing in Westminster City Council is a world of extraordinary stories. Where reactive and passionate people are dedicated to enhancing services and creating real connections.

Take Lisa for example. The impact she's had at her contact centre is remarkable. During Covid-19, Lisa focussed on increasing the coaching and support her staff received. This led to an interaction with a grieving resident who had lost his wife. Lisa's training allowed the Customer Service Advisor to help the resident by opening up about their own experience. The conversation was so impactful that the resident even sent flowers to say thank you. It's no surprise that Lisa runs a multi award-winning contact centre that's now recognised across Europe.

As a Library Officer you can make your own powerful contribution. We have a number of opportunities across the Borough. But whichever library you join, you'll help to deliver services that regularly change people's lives – whether their visit is for education or work, or simply to enjoy a safe place and a great book for a few hours.

Every day is different. But generally-speaking, we'll ask you to give customers a warm welcome, and direct them to the right resources. Of course, you'll recommend books. But just as importantly, you'll be the gateway to our services: teaching customers how to use our systems and technology – perhaps even the internet.

In terms of admin, you'll process memberships, open and close the library, manage stocks and order supplies. You'll get involved in activities and events, like Story Time for children. And there will be a wide array of extra projects too, for example, to generate further income, or promote the library online.

It's important you've the flexibility to work evenings and weekends. And ultimately, everything you do will empower residents, so that they can maximise the benefits of our services, resources, events and systems.

Please refer to the Job Descriptionfor more information.

While they're certainly quiet places – libraries are very busy. You'll need to be a confident communicator who's proactive in approach and happy juggling a number of tasks at any one time.

A passion for customer service is key. But it's the way you react quickly to requests and solve problems that will mark you out. It's also important you have good IT skills, including an awareness of social media.

In addition to being keen to learn, you'll get a kick out of teaching. Customers will look to you for inspiration: to experience of the joy of reading, learning and, importantly, socialising.

There are a number of vacancies across different libraries, one post requires fluency in both written and spoken Cantonese and a good knowledge of Cantonese literature is essential. Another post requires knowledge and an interest in the arts. Event programming and having worked with collections is essential for the arts post.

Applicants must be available to start in November and be available throughout the Christmas and New Year period.

Westminster City Council is committed to supporting Care Leavers into the workplace. Care Leavers seeking their first job and who wish to be considered under our scheme, will automatically be invited to interview should they meet the essential criteria for the role.

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 can build a more inclusive city that celebrates our diverse communities, and where residents, workers and visitors from all backgrounds will feel welcome and safe.

At Westminster City Council, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive workplace and employer of choice. We encourage and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that, at all levels, represents the communities we serve. We champion equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, has a sense of belonging and is empowered to be their best, that is the Westminster Way. To find out more about how we do this visit

As a forward-thinking Council we appreciate that people work in different ways, therefore our staff benefit from working a range of flexible working patterns as well as Agile working.

The Council is a Disability Confident Employer. If you have declared a disability in your application, we guarantee an interview if you meet the essential criteria of the job. If you are invited for interview, you will be asked if you need any reasonable adjustments in order to attend, and we will make these wherever possible.