Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Librarian

The closing date is 01 February 2026

Job summary

We are recruiting for an Assistant Librarian to deliver an exceptional and innovative Library Service alongside the Knowledge Specialists and library assistants. This includes the provision of our literature search service, library related teaching and training, and library promotion and outreach for Hampshire Healthcare Library Service (HHLS).

You will lead on cataloguing and classification for our Hampshire and Isle of Wight libraries and ensure that resources are easily located on library systems.

As part of your role you will work as part of the HHLS team in providing a library and knowledge service to NHS staff and students in Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and other partner organisations.

The role will be based at our Moorgreen library although the role entails working at other library locations as required. Please note that this is a part-time role of 28.12 hours per week.

Main duties of the job

Undertake literature/information searches as required, this includes establishing the information needs of the user, identifying and accessing the most appropriate resources and databases, and formulating search strategies.

Together with other library staff develop training courses and presentations that increase library awareness and train users in the search skills necessary to find relevant, quality information in support of evidence based patient care and research.

Be the library lead for the provision of cataloguing and classification of library resources to ensure ease of access by library users. This requires knowledge of the Wessex classification scheme and application of cataloguing skills within the regional Iguana/V-Smart library management system.

Contribute to the development, delivery, and evaluation of current awareness services to keep NHS staff abreast of developments in their fields of interest. This includes creating KnowledgeShare current awareness alerts and promoting KnowledgeShare to NHS colleagues.

Supporting the Knowledge Specialists in the stock selection processes by identifying stock gaps, new editions of core texts and other items for acquisition or withdrawal. This requires consulting with other NHS colleagues as necessary.

Being proactive in finding opportunities to promote the library services and participate in library marketing activities such as attending events, visiting departments, or creating marketing literature and displays.

About us

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a newly established organisation, bringing together expertise from across mental health, learning disabilities, community, and physical health services. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality, and accessible care to the diverse communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

With over 13,000 dedicated staff working across more than 300 sites, we place patients and staff at the centre of everything we do. Our goal is to create an integrated healthcare system that improves accessibility and ensures more consistent care for patients. By working together, we aim to improve patient outcomes, drive innovation, and meet the unique needs of the populations we serve.

Our Trust unites services from Southern Health, Solent NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trusts community and mental health teams, as well as Hampshire CAMHS, originally part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This transformation enables us to deliver more seamless care across the region, ensuring that patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are deeply committed to our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, and offer outstanding opportunities for career development, training, and collaborative working.

Date posted

22 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year Please note for part time hours the salary will be pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

348-COR-9954

Job locations

Moorgreen Hospital

Botley Road, West End

Southampton

Hampshire

SO30 3JB

Job description

Job responsibilities

Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible.

We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

First degree, or postgraduate qualification (or equivalent) in library and information fields, or equivalent experience.
Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable

Chartered member or working towards chartership of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.
Training/Teaching qualification.

Experience

Essential

Experience of professional library work.
Experience of research/literature searches/reviews using online resources.
Knowledge of the principles of searching bibliographic databases and information retrieval.
Knowledge and experience of cataloguing and classification systems.
Experience of delivering information skills training to individuals and groups.
Self-motivated with a flexible approach along with enthusiasm and motivation for delivering library services to NHS colleagues.
Confident with people with the ability to work as part of a wider team.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

First degree, or postgraduate qualification (or equivalent) in library and information fields, or equivalent experience.
Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable

Chartered member or working towards chartership of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.
Training/Teaching qualification.

Experience

Essential

Experience of professional library work.
Experience of research/literature searches/reviews using online resources.
Knowledge of the principles of searching bibliographic databases and information retrieval.
Knowledge and experience of cataloguing and classification systems.
Experience of delivering information skills training to individuals and groups.
Self-motivated with a flexible approach along with enthusiasm and motivation for delivering library services to NHS colleagues.
Confident with people with the ability to work as part of a wider team.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Moorgreen Hospital

Botley Road, West End

Southampton

Hampshire

SO30 3JB

Employer's website

https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Moorgreen Hospital

Botley Road, West End

Southampton

Hampshire

SO30 3JB

Employer's website

https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)