Prison Library Assistant

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Job Reference staffscc/TP/4376/4787

Apply for this job Number of Positions: 1 Contract Type: Permanent Part Time Contract Details: Permanent Part Time 9 hours Salary: £26,847 - £27,274 pro rata Working Hours: 9 Location: Featherstone Prison Closing Date: 03/11/2026 Job Category: Libraries Directorate: Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Business Unit: Culture, Rural & Safer Communities

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 more of a vocation, because you’ll be part of a community of partners, providing a much-needed service to our library users. The library is crucial in supporting the wellbeing of those in prison and it helps to promote positive behaviours in those library users. So, the work you’ll do will have a real impact on people’s lives and the community.

HMP Featherstone is a category C 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. This role reports to and works with both SCC, SCC PLS and Prison Management.

The Library is a well-used and valued resource within the Prison, and is currently open daily Monday to Saturday. The Library team of 2 Library assistants led by the Library Supervisor, offer both outreach / wing based and main library, service provision, supporting all prisoners with access to books, information, activities & resources.

This 9 hour grade 4 part-time post usually operates on Tuesday afternoon into evening and Saturday mornings.  Shift patterns can be subject to change, including if the Prison regime changes in the future. Please note that as stated, the salary range shown reflects full time hours, the actual salary paid is on a pro-rata basis for the 9 hour contract, please factor this in before you apply

Main Responsibilities

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:

• 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.
• Work in the main library and across the prison to offer Library resources and activities.

The Ideal Candidate

The minimum criteria that will be used to shortlist for this role will be:

• Experience of working in a public service environment and the delivery of excellent face-to-face customer service   
• Experience of team working 
• Experience of following security and confidentiality procedures  
• Flexible approach to the duties
• Ability and enthusiasm to work and engage with a diverse group of people 

The role may require some cover of colleagues at other times outside the set core-shifts of this post, so would suit someone with the availability and flexibility to accommodate. It would be beneficial if you are happy and able to travel and hold a current valid UK driver’s license.

Don’t feel you meet all the requirements? We value transferable skills, experiences, and qualifications so consider applying anyway or for an informal chat about the role you may contact Alan Smith [email removed] 

We plan for Interviews to take place on 18 November on site.