Librarian (Culture, Health & Reader Development)

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a passionate and community-focused Librarian (Culture, Health & Reader Development) to join our libraries services team. This role will lead on key areas of service delivery aligned with the Universal Library Offers, including Health & Wellbeing, Culture & Creativity, and Reader Development. A key aspect of the role will be contributing to projects stemming from the library transformation consultation. This may include supporting service redesign, implementing new delivery models, and developing community partnerships.

In this role, you will:

• Deliver services that support the health and wellbeing of our communities.

• Promote access to trusted public health information and facilitate creative and social reading activities.

• Enable access to high-quality arts and cultural experiences through library programming.

• Plan and promote events and activities from the Universal Offers calendar.

• Oversee stock management, rotation, and ethical disposal in line with service priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

Health & Wellbeing

• Deliver and promote services that support community health and wellbeing in partnership with Public Health.

• Upskill library staff to enable them to provide access to trusted health information, signposting, and referrals, including supporting residents to access the NHS app and website.

• Facilitate activities such as warm spaces and wellbeing groups.

Culture & Creativity

• Enable access to arts and cultural experiences through library programming.

• Collaborate with local artists, cultural organisations, and community groups to deliver inclusive events and exhibitions.

Reader Development

• Plan and promote events and activities, including national campaigns, festivals, and themed reading weeks.

• Champion inclusive reading experiences for all ages and abilities.

Stock Management

• Oversee stock selection, rotation, and weeding in line with service priorities.

• Ensure ethical disposal and reuse of withdrawn stock.

• Monitor usage data and community needs to inform stock decisions.

Leadership

• Line manage a Community Services Supervisor, supporting them to manage their teams ensuring high-quality service delivery across multiple library locations. (Portishead and Pill libraries).

• Provide guidance and support to team members to ensure high-quality service delivery.

• Contribute to the development of library policies and procedures to enhance service delivery.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office (pro rata)

• Works both from home and libraries across North Somerset, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is a passionate advocate for libraries, with a good understanding of the role that libraries play in supporting the health and wellbeing needs of people in all sections of society. You must have significant experience of working in libraries or related services where the delivery of excellent customer service is a priority. You should also have achieved, or be working towards, an approved professional qualification relevant to one or more service areas e.g. library and information studies, information management, or CILIP accredited qualifications.

Experience in managing projects from initiation to completion, ensuring objectives are met on time and within scope is essential. Formal project management training is not required.

You will need to be adaptable, work well under pressure and be able to solve problems with innovative solutions. You will have experience of managing others and be a good communicator with excellent ICT skills, including being a proficient user of spreadsheets, word processing, Microsoft Teams and OneDrive. You will need to manage, organise and prioritise your own work. We’re seeking a dynamic team player who thrives in collaborative environments—both within libraries and across wider Council teams—demonstrating a supportive management style, a positive attitude to change, and a proactive, ‘can do’ approach to challenges.

You will be expected to become a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). Active involvement in professional networks within the sector or commitment to joining and engaging with (if not already a member) is expected.

Essential Criteria:

• A recognised qualification in librarianship or equivalent experience in library or cultural services.

• Strong understanding of the Universal Library Offers and their impact.

• Experience in community engagement, event planning, and partnership working.

• Excellent communication and organisational skills.

• A commitment to inclusive access to information, culture, and wellbeing.

• Supervisory experience and people management skills

Desirable Criteria:

• Chartered membership of CILIP (or working towards it).

• Experience in stock management and data analysis.

• Knowledge of public health initiatives and digital health literacy.

• Experience of managing budgets

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Nicki Bobbette, Libraries Services Development Manager at nicki.bobbette@n-somerset.gov.uk or 01934 426602.

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Anticipated Interview date: week commencing Monday 12 January 2026

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.