Go back
Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Library Assistant

The closing date is 26 April 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

Are you a highly organised person with strong IT andcustomer serviceskills with a passion for helping others access information?Or do you have experience of library services and using online systems?

We'relooking for anenthusiastic and proactiveLibrary Assistantto join ourLibrary and Knowledge Services (LKS) team supportingNHSstaffand studentsacross all our physical and mental health services within Berkshire.

Thisis apart-time(22.5hours/week)postworking on-site at Prospect Park Hospital.The postholder will berequiredto work8.30am-4.30pmonMondays andFridays,with flexibility around the remaining day.

This is anexcellentopportunityto be part of the LKS team supporting both clinical and non-clinical colleagues to provide exceptional healthcare to patients and carers.

Main duties of the job

The Library Assistant acts as the first point of contact for library users, undertaking a variety of administrative duties in the delivery and promotion of library services.playsa key role in providing comprehensive knowledge and library services tousers,undertaking a variety of administrative duties in the delivery and promotion of library services.

Your responsibilities will include:

oLead on answeringenquiriesinto the shared email inbox

oManaging the physical libraryresources and equipmentoEnsuring the proper management and maintenance of library e-resourcesoAssistingin marketing and promotion

oManaging inter-library loans

oAssistingwith stock management

oProvidingbasic IT training and support to library users

oMaintainingdatabases,spreadsheetsand library statisticsoLearning and contributing to the development of ourlibrary services

The team are committed to quality improvement and have a strong customer service ethos.You will have the opportunity to contribute to Trust-wide initiatives and collaborative working across the NHS South region in line with the NHS Knowledge for Healthcare Framework.Proficiencyin Microsoft Office/ generalIT skillsareessential.Familiarity with relevant library and NHS legislation is desirable.Prior experience in searching databases, retrievinginformationand working in a library environment isadvantageous.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

  • Caring for and about you is our top priority
  • Committed to providing good quality, safe services
  • Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

  • Flexible working options to support work-life balance
  • 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
  • Generous NHS pension scheme
  • Excellent learning and career development opportunities
  • 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
  • Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
  • Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
  • Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
  • Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
  • Free parking across Trust sites

Details

Date posted

17 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

371-CS306-C

Job locations

Library Services , Prospect Park Hospital

Reading

RG30 4EJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

1. Experience of customer service work, with a focus on managing enquiries across various platforms

2. Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate succinctly,clearlyand accurately verbally and in writing

3. Well organised and systematic approach to work

4. Educated to A level or equivalent standard

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet thecriteria in theperson specificationand write about thispoint-by-pointin your supporting statementfor the best chance of being shortlisted.

Werecommitted to equal opportunitiesand welcomeapplications fromall sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected inour accreditations:Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award.Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Pleasedonthesitate to call:Ben Innes-Dickinson on 0118 9605012 or email: ben.innesdickinson@berkshire.nhs.ukwhollbe delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so pleasesubmityour application as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

1. Experience of customer service work, with a focus on managing enquiries across various platforms

2. Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate succinctly,clearlyand accurately verbally and in writing

3. Well organised and systematic approach to work

4. Educated to A level or equivalent standard

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet thecriteria in theperson specificationand write about thispoint-by-pointin your supporting statementfor the best chance of being shortlisted.

Werecommitted to equal opportunitiesand welcomeapplications fromall sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected inour accreditations:Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award.Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Pleasedonthesitate to call:Ben Innes-Dickinson on 0118 9605012 or email: ben.innesdickinson@berkshire.nhs.ukwhollbe delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so pleasesubmityour application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • GCSE Grade 4-9 in English Language and Mathematics or equivalent qualifications.
  • Educated to A level or equivalent standard.

Desirable

  • Library and Information Science apprenticeship level 3 or equivalent.

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Experience of customer service work including handling enquiries.

Desirable

  • Experience of library and information work or a related information service.
  • Familiarity with library management systems or information retrieval systems.
  • Experience of using journal databases and library electronic resources.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate succinctly, clearly and accurately verbally and in writing.
  • Well organised and systematic approach to work.
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • GCSE Grade 4-9 in English Language and Mathematics or equivalent qualifications.
  • Educated to A level or equivalent standard.

Desirable

  • Library and Information Science apprenticeship level 3 or equivalent.

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Experience of customer service work including handling enquiries.

Desirable

  • Experience of library and information work or a related information service.
  • Familiarity with library management systems or information retrieval systems.
  • Experience of using journal databases and library electronic resources.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate succinctly, clearly and accurately verbally and in writing.
  • Well organised and systematic approach to work.

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

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Library Services , Prospect Park Hospital

Reading

RG30 4EJ


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Library Services , Prospect Park Hospital

Reading

RG30 4EJ


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Library and Knowledge Service Manager

Ben Innes-Dickinson

ben.innesdickinson@berkshire.nhs.uk

01189605012

Details

Date posted

17 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

371-CS306-C

Job locations

Library Services , Prospect Park Hospital

Reading

RG30 4EJ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)