Library Assistant

**Library Assistant**

Wellcome is a politically and financially independent global charitable foundation, funded by a £29 billion investment portfolio. We support discovery research into life, health and wellbeing, and we’re taking on the three worldwide health challenges: mental health, climate change and health, and infectious disease.

Wellcome Collection is a free museum and library that aims to challenge how we all think and feel about health. Through exhibitions, collections, live programming, digital, broadcast and publishing, we create opportunities for people to think deeply about the links between science, medicine, life and art.

These challenges need the bold science we support, but they won’t be solved by science alone.

**Where in Wellcome will I be working?**
You will be working as part of the Library Experience & Engagement team at Wellcome Collection.

The Library Experience & Engagement team looks after the library spaces in Wellcome Collection, welcoming visitors and working to provide a safe and inclusive environment, for visitors and staff alike.

The team retrieves materials from our stores and supports visitors to engage with our collections, while also developing engagement activities to introduce people to the breadth of materials held at Wellcome Collection. We also support other activities across the organisation, including cataloguing, transcription, and digital processes.

You’ll have the opportunity to participate in all of these activities and extend your experience and confidence of working in our unique museum and library.

**What will I be doing?**
As a Library Assistant you will be joining a team committed to providing an inclusive and accessible library environment. You will be welcoming visitors and assisting them to make the most of their visit. You will be responsible for retrieving materials from our closed stores, including books, manuscripts, archives, visual, and audio-visual material.

You will also support the LE&E Engagement Strategy by working with the Engagement Officer to develop and deliver an innovative and inclusive programme of activities to attract our priority audiences. You will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge of our collections by collaborating with colleagues in other departments, including on cataloguing and transcription projects.

Primarily, though, you will be working in the library space to make sure that visitors are supported and that we are providing them with the most accessible and inclusive experience we can.

As a Library Assistant you will:

- Provide high quality, warm and attentive support to users across the library service points, including the Admissions Desk, Rare Materials Room, and in the general library space. Activities include:

- Welcoming and registering visitors accurately, handling data in accordance with relevant legislation and policies, and ensuring smooth and efficient entry.
- Using your expertise and knowledge to assist library users with collections access.
- Assisting users and supervising the use of the collections making sure that they are issued, used and handled in accordance with conservation principles.
- Collaborate with colleagues to ensure an inclusive, consistent, and positive user experience across Wellcome Collection.
- Share expertise and knowledge, enabling visitors to get the most out of every visit, including content interpretation and engagement.
- Provide support to cross-team projects with other Wellcome Collection teams, including Collections Development, Collections Information, Conservation & Collection Care and Digital Engagement.
- Be involved with cataloguing, transcription, or digital or conservation projects
- Participate in opening and closing briefings and routines, and maintain visual signage and access to equipment in the library space.
- Support the delivery of the LE&E Engagement Strategy by working with the Library Engagement Officer to develop and deliver an innovative programme of activities - This may include, but not be limited to, collection orientated visits, tours, classes and library-based public events.

We are looking for someone who is:

- Confident, friendly and approachable with exceptional inter-personal skills.
- Flexible and able to adapt to change with a positive ‘can do’ attitude.
- Able to act in ways that support equity and value diversity, with a commitment to the principles of dignity and respect in relations with colleagues, visitors and stakeholders
- Able to lift and carry boxes of library materials, push trolleys and use ladders on a regular basis and to be involved in actively monitoring the library spaces as a regular and ongoing part of duties.
- Able to work accurately under pressure with strong attention to detail.
- Has an interest in the materials held at Wellcome Collection and a passion for encouraging understanding of health and human experience.

Please note flexible working hours or job-shares will be considered for t