Prison Library Assistant | Library & Information Services | Preston | Fixed Term |

| Salary £24,404 - £25,183 Per annum | Fixed Term, Part Time, until 31/03/2026, 28 hours per week | Library & Information Services | Pro Rata |

International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship 

ABOUT THE ROLE

Are you:

• Able to help, support & engage with prisoners, staff & colleagues
• Able to work as part of team
• Customer focused 
• Confident in using digital resources
• Interested in libraries and the benefit to their prison communities
• Organised, calm & practical
• Accurate and have good attention to detail

If so, we have an ideal opportunity for you!

As a prison library assistant, you will work as part of a team including prisoners, who as orderlies will work alongside you to deliver high quality library and information services, enable the delivery of activities and events to the prison community, assist prisoners and staff to access information and resources and encourage use by the prison community. 

A prison library assistant is a unique, inspiring, customer service role that offers an opportunity to make a difference, it is challenging but rewarding. You will work with library staff, education and the Reducing Reoffending Team to help prisoners to improve their situation whilst in custody and for future release. 

You will:

• Have demonstrable teamwork skills 
• Contribute towards an excellent service for your users
• Have a love for reading and be passionate & proactive about sharing this 
• Have excellent communication and digital skills 
• Be able to work with a range of partners, volunteers & orderlies
• Be able to deliver a customer focused service in a prison environment

This is a temporary post until 31^st March 2026, based at HMP Preston Prison library. HMP Preston Prison is a category B Remand adult male prison. The library is a branch of Lancashire County Council Libraries, and the staff work closely with Lancashire Library staff, other prison library staff, prison staff and partners. 

The role may require you to work evenings and weekends and at other locations and may also involve lone working. Please use the Prison Library Assistant Person Specification, within the role profile attachment, detailing the criteria you need to include within your application, please note CVs will not be considered. 

If you would like an informal discussion or any further information, please contact Nicola Walmsley on 01772 537913. 

In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website.

We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.

Please ensure you have uploaded and attached your supporting statement to evidence how you meet the criteria for the role. The panel may be unable to shortlist you for interview without this evidence.

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab. 

Job Description/Person Specification/Rota