Sheffield’s School Library Service (SLS) provides children’s books and materials to support the curriculum and reading for pleasure. This is run as a traded service for schools and is part of Sheffield’s Libraries, Archives & Information Service.

We are looking for an organised and motivated individual who has an interest in children’s literature and education.

A typical day may involve selecting book choices for schools, re-shelving returns, processing new stock, dealing with telephone and email enquiries regarding book resources, information and activities. The role also involves supporting events and activities such as author and illustrator visits, book launches and the Sheffield Children’s Book Award.

This role is principally office based at Stadia Technology Park in Attercliffe, which has car parking and easy tram access. There may be occasional visits/travel to schools, libraries or other council buildings.

This post involves manual handling including shelving, moving and storing of books.

Application Process

Applications that best meet the criteria outlined in the person specification will be invited to interview. Please see the attached document entitled “Job Description”. A good application will provide an example of what you did or achieved under each relevant criteria. You should attempt to provide information for each relevant criteria (look for ‘application form’ in the ‘how assessed’ column). If you don’t have any direct experience but feel you have transferrable skills and experience, this should be included.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place week commencing 16 March, 2026.

For informal enquires please contact Claire South on:

claire.south@sheffield.gov.uk or Jenny Yates on: jenny.yates@sheffield.gov.uk

We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.

It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.

Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form.

Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.

If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.

Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our New job evaluation process to be introduced at Sheffield City Council | Sheffield City Council