Library Attendant

Salary: £27,241  per annum, pro rata

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 12 November 2026

The Role

This is a place-based role in a busy vibrant campus, Library Attendants are essential to the running of the University libraries, working either during core Library service hours or during evening, overnight and weekend opening hours.  You will provide excellent customer service and ensure that the library is opened safely and securely during periods of limited staffing.  You may be required to work at any of the Library sites, and duties will vary in emphasis depending on the shifts that are worked.

Previous experience of working in a customer focused service environment is essential.  You will possess good interpersonal and customer care skills and the ability to work accurately and with attention to detail. 

Mobility and physical fitness consistent with the need to push trolleys, carry parcels and move equipment is essential.  You will also be required to undertake mandatory health and safety training relevant to the role. Library attendants can expect to walk long distances between sites, up and down stairs, and around large buildings during shifts. Attendants are also expected to assist in emergency evacuations.

There are four vacancies all of which will require some bank holiday working and working extended hours until Midnight during exams. Please specify when applying which of the posts you would like to be considered for. The details are:

Post 1

Sunday to Wednesday 4 pm to 10 pm

Post 2

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 4 pm to 10 pm

Friday and Saturday evenings will not be required during summer vacation

Post 3

Thursday to Saturday, 4 pm to 10 pm 

Saturday evenings will not be required during summer vacation

Post 4

Friday to Sunday 4 pm to 10 pm

Saturday evenings will not be required during summer vacation

To apply please upload your CV along with a cover letter clearly evidencing how your skills and experiences align to the person specification as outlined in the job description.

Interviews are expected to be held in person.

Unfortunately, this role does not qualify for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility or Scale-up routes

Informal enquiries can be addressed to Anne Middleton: [email protected]

Key Accountabilities

• To provide an operational service monitoring occupancy levels, operating the night door system, dealing with general and directional enquiries, keeping relevant records of these, as required, and referring more complex enquiries to Customer Services staff


• To assist customers in the use of a range of Library equipment, and to maintain this equipment as required, reporting faults as necessary


• To use the Library Management system to carry out a range of functions including both customer-facing and stock maintenance activities


• To empty book-bins and load trolleys, and to sort, shelve, tidy and retrieve library materials


• To ensure first aid duties are carried out including supporting the use of EVAC chairs, undertaking routine patrols and to carry out fire safety duties and safety checks, reporting defects, and testing fire alarms


• To contribute to overall building safety and security and responding to emergency situations, taking appropriate action to minimise damage or distress, e.g. assisting with emergency evacuations, dealing with floods


• To carry out incidental cleaning to ensure the good order of the Library such as emptying waste bins, taking refuse to appropriate collection points, cleaning microwaves, cleaning spills, moving furniture and replenishing sanitary supplies


• Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

• Experience of working in a customer focused service, and an appreciation of the importance of maintaining a clean and tidy environment


• Capable of pushing trolleys, carrying books and furniture, and of working at height


• Good communication, interpersonal and customer care skills


• Ability to work as part of a team and independently


• Good standard of literacy and numeracy


• Good IT skills, including experience of using packages in the MS Office suite, and ability to use search engines


• Awareness of the range of library services and resources


• Ability to work accurately and with attention to detail

Attributes and Behaviours

• Is factually correct and gives consistent information


• Clear and concise; gets the message across to others


• Willing to help others and share workloads


• Keeps other team members up to date with progress


• Works in a planned and structured way


• Ensures that all activities are completed on time to meet set standards


• Uses own and others’ time effectively


• Pays attention to detail


• Strives to deliver high-quality results


• Is enthusiastic in getting the job done on time

Qualifications (Essential)

• 5 GCSE passes at Grade C or above, or equivalent

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 29868