Job Title: Librarian (Children and Communities Team)

Salary Range: SSA SO1

Permanent , Full Time

Location: 1st Floor The Cottage, Little Green, Richmond, TW9 1QH

Other essential information: Will be required to travel within and outside the borough

Objective of role

Can you inspire a love of reading and learning in children, young people and families, and demonstrate libraries as an inclusive safe space. As a Librarian in the Children and Communities Team, you will help shape how our youngest residents and local communities engage with books, stories and wider library services across Richmond upon Thames.

You will be part of a creative, values‑driven team with a shared purpose: to promote reading, support learning and strengthen communities through inclusive and engaging library services. Working collaboratively, you will use new technologies and emerging research to engage a diverse range of stakeholders and deliver impactful local and national programmes for our communities.

For you, this is an opportunity to combine professional expertise with passion and creativity. Whether your background is in libraries, publishing, education or community engagement, you’ll be able to see the direct impact of your work through evidenced based feedback from the communities and families you serve.

About the role

You will deliver a range of engaging events and activities, including: early years’ literacy programmes (e.g. Bookstart), reading campaigns (e.g. Summer Reading Challenge, National Year of Reading).

You will create, deliver and participate in an ongoing programme of creative and cultural events and activities to engage new audiences and provide opportunities for people to come together for shared experiences.

You will provide targeted library outreach services to adults, children and young people who face barriers to accessing library services.

You will contribute to the development of a well‑trained, knowledgeable and resilient workforce by supporting the delivery of staff training and learning activities. Working alongside colleagues, you will help ensure library staff are confident and skilled in using library systems, accessing and promoting printed and digital resources, supporting reading and learning, and delivering high‑quality events and activities for the community.

You will evaluate, select and assist in the management of library resources, including: eResources (eBooks and eAudio) children’s / young people’s fiction and non-fiction.

You will help raise the profile of the library service through engaging marketing activity, including printed, digital and social media campaigns that connect with diverse audiences.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Training Skills- Experience of providing training and / or delivery of one or more of the following: information and IT skills; reader development; the successful delivery of reading or learning programmes ; event/festival management and promotion

Communication - Ability to communicate effectively with staff, customers and groups of people in order to answer complex enquiries, undertake research, and to deliver talks and training

IT Skills- Ability to confidently use ICT equipment, including PCs, laptops, tablets, smart phones, printers, scanners and projectors

Organisation Skills - Ability to organise and promote events and activities, carrying out multiple tasks and prioritising workloads to meet tight deadlines

Team Player- Ability to work as part of a team to deliver successful outcomes

Working hours:

The working hours are 36 hours a week, timetabled as alternate long and short weeks; working two Saturdays in four and up to one late night a week.

The role includes occasional Sunday and additional evening working as required. A flexible approach to fulfilling the needs of the service is necessary.

You will be based in Richmond but will be required to travel to other libraries and locations around Richmond upon Thames as necessary.

The post requires the ability to undertake physical tasks, including standing for extended periods and lifting and moving heavy objects.

Appointment of the successful candidate is dependant upon the completion of an enhanced DBS check.

Please contact Rosemary Whittle, Children and Communities Manager rosemary.whittle@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk for an informal conversation about the role.

If this is the type of career path you have been looking for, you meet our criteria, and you would like to join our team, we look forward to receiving your application.

Indicative recruitment timeline

Closing Date: 7th June 2026

Shortlisting Date: W/C 8th June 2026

Interview Date : W/C 22nd June 2026

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan