"Library Assistant"

About the role

The Taylor Institution Library is the University's centre for the study of modern European languages and literatures. Its library is busy and friendly and supports teaching, learning and research. It aims to deliver a responsive, innovative and excellent service to all its users. Along with the Art, Archaeology and Ancient World and the Nizami Ganjavi Libraries, the Taylorian is part of Section 3 of the Bodleian Humanities Libraries, and the three sites work together as a group to provide services.

You will be based at the Taylor Institution Library within the Bodleian Libraries and may potentially be required to cover at one of the other two libraries within the section from time to time, or other Bodleian Humanities Libraries in exceptional circumstances.

As a Library Assistant, you will welcome and assist readers and visitors at the Issue and Enquiry Desks, helping with enquiries about the collections, services and facilities of the library. You will work with SOLO, the online library catalogue, and Alma, our library management system. Other duties will include fetching, scanning and re-shelving books, processing new material, and carrying out tasks in support of projects.

Working as part of a collaborative team, you will contribute to maintaining a safe, welcoming and well-organised study environment, and may support the training of new staff, and to act as a point of reference for Grade 2 Library Assistants.

This is a full-time, fixed-term post until 30 September 2026.

This role requires a significant element of lifting, carrying and shelving books, pushing trolleys and using ladders and kick stools. You will need to be able to carry out these duties following safe manual handling practices, as instructed.

About You

You will be educated to GCSE level or equivalent, with the ability to communicate effectively, confidently and courteously with readers, colleagues and the public.

You will have an awareness of the importance of good customer care and a commitment to providing excellent quality service. As your work will involve both PC-based tasks and supporting readers in using our online systems and resources, you will have good general IT literacy. You will also have the ability to work effectively as part of a team and to prioritise in a busy environment. Previous experience of working in a library or similar customer services environment is desirable, as is local library specific subject interest or knowledge.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days of annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

More information is available at https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits

Diversity

Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave.

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible. If you require the job description or any other materials in an alternative format, or if you would like to request any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact the recruitment team at recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk.

How to apply

You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting evidence form using the attached template as part of your online application. Your supporting evidence form should list each of the essential and desirable selection criteria, as listed in the job description, and explain how you meet each one. CVs alone will not be considered.

We aim to provide a supportive working environment and are happy to discuss training and professional development opportunities. The Chair of this recruitment panel will be Frank Egerton, Head of Reader Services, who can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role (frank.egerton@bodleian.ox.ac.uk). General queries about the recruitment and application process should be directed to the Recruitment team within our Human Resources department (recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk).

FOR SECONDMENTS: Please discuss secondments with your line manager in the first instance, as you must have their agreement that you can be released for a secondment before you submit an application https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/secondments

Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (GMT) on Wednesday 18 February 2026 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on Monday 09 March 2026.