Prison Library Supervisor

Job Introduction
**Do you have a passion for reading, literacy, information and customer service? Are you looking for a unique and inspiring role?**

We see our Library roles as a vocation; you’ll be part of a community of partners, providing a much-needed space and service to our Library users. The Library is crucial in supporting the wellbeing of those in prison, contributing to positive behaviours, and learning and development. The work you’ll do, can have a real impact on peoples lives and the community.

HMP Stafford is a category C adult male prison. The Library is a branch of Staffordshire County Council Library Service, and the onsite Library team work closely with Library staff in the other Prison Libraries in the County, as well as with onsite Prison and Partner staff and Management.

The Library is a well-used valued resource within the Prison, and is open Tuesday to Saturday. Prison Library staff offer both Outreach / wing based and main library, service provision, supporting all prisoners with access to books, information & resources.

Main Responsibilities
You will:

- Provide excellent face-to-face customer service and demonstrate strong leadership skills.
- Work efficiently both individually and as part of a team, including the onsite Library and Prison team and SCC Library Service.
- Provide and develop an essential service, encouraging and promoting creativity, literacy and reading for pleasure and learning.
- Actively engage with customers, to support them in using their library space, service and resources for their personal and professional development and benefit both short and long term.
- Cover colleagues outside of set core-shifts, with availability and flexibility.

The Prison / custodial environment can be challenging, but also extremely rewarding. Working in Prison Libraries is a vocational customer service role, that offers an opportunity to make a difference on a daily basis.

You will:

- have experience and confidence in dealing with a range of customers and situations.
- be able to demonstrate resilience, adaptability to change, and strategic thinking.
- have experience of working in a public service environment and the delivery of excellent customer service.
- commit to personal and professional development and learning.
- hold a current, valid UK driver’s license.

We aim to play a part in reducing reoffending and enabling prisoners in improving their prospects and situation whilst in custody and for a future on release in the community, linking with public libraries.

Successful applicants will be invited to in-person interview at Stafford Prison, on a date to be confirmed**:We plan to hold interviews week commencing 22 September and week commencing 29 September 2025.**

About Staffordshire County Council
**We are no ordinary county council**:
**Our Values**:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.

**Our benefits**:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire

**Our recruitment process**:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.