Senior Library Assistant (Collections)
| Posting date: | 27 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £28,437 to £32,108 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 09 March 2026 |
| Location: | Bodleian Old Library and Radcliffe Camera, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM), University of Oxford |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 184691 |
Summary
About the role
We are looking for a customer focused Senior Library Assistant to work in the historic Bodleian Old Library and Radcliffe Camera, to undertake a range of reader services duties whilst providing high quality customer service in a frontline role.
You will contribute to the processes and procedures of the site and help train and support colleagues in the provision of library services.
Alongside reader services, you will play a key role in collections maintenance processes and procedures, including training and supporting colleagues in the execution of collections-related tasks. Please note that this role does not involve any Special Collections or Archives work.
This is a permanent full-time post, working 36.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday).
The role requires regular manual handling, including lifting and carrying books, pushing trolleys, and using ladders and kick-stools to access shelving.
About You
You will be educated to A level or equivalent, and have experience of working in a customer-facing role in a library.
You will have the ability to communicate effectively, confidently and courteously with library users, colleagues and the public.
You will have excellent IT skills and attention to detail, together with good organisational skills and the ability to work independently using your own initiative and as part of a team.
Experience of working with library systems such as SOLO, Primo or Alma would be advantageous.
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 Rachel D’Arcy-Brown, Collections and Information Skills Manager, who can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role (rachel.darcy-brown@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).
Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (GMT) on Monday 9 March 2026 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on Monday 30 March 2026.
We are looking for a customer focused Senior Library Assistant to work in the historic Bodleian Old Library and Radcliffe Camera, to undertake a range of reader services duties whilst providing high quality customer service in a frontline role.
You will contribute to the processes and procedures of the site and help train and support colleagues in the provision of library services.
Alongside reader services, you will play a key role in collections maintenance processes and procedures, including training and supporting colleagues in the execution of collections-related tasks. Please note that this role does not involve any Special Collections or Archives work.
This is a permanent full-time post, working 36.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday).
The role requires regular manual handling, including lifting and carrying books, pushing trolleys, and using ladders and kick-stools to access shelving.
About You
You will be educated to A level or equivalent, and have experience of working in a customer-facing role in a library.
You will have the ability to communicate effectively, confidently and courteously with library users, colleagues and the public.
You will have excellent IT skills and attention to detail, together with good organisational skills and the ability to work independently using your own initiative and as part of a team.
Experience of working with library systems such as SOLO, Primo or Alma would be advantageous.
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 Rachel D’Arcy-Brown, Collections and Information Skills Manager, who can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role (rachel.darcy-brown@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).
Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (GMT) on Monday 9 March 2026 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on Monday 30 March 2026.