GLL is currently recruiting a Senior Library Assistant to join the team at HMP Morton Hall. As a Senior Library Assistant you will be working in a busy prison library, giving access to a wide variety of collections and resources including books, computers and reference collections. This role is contracted for 8 hours a week, however there is the opportunity to work additional hours.
HMP Morton Hall is Prison is a Category C men's Foreign National prison, located in the village of Morton Hall in Lincolnshire, England. The centre is operated by His Majesty's Prison Service. It was previously a women's prison and from 2011 to 2021 it was an Immigration Removal Centre. The prison houses 400 prisoners.
Prisoners use our libraries for a number of reasons. We have a vast selection of legal books and papers that our prisoners use to help them understand their sentences as well as the standard books that you’d find in a public library. We have a heavy focus on education as many of the prisoners have limited or no English and literacy problems or just want to learn something new, but whatever the reason, the books are a welcome diversion from prison life. As Senior Library Assistant, you will have to do the usual tasks associated with the role, such as providing an information service to our users, ordering books and arranging engaging events and activities, but due to the unique location of the library, there is far more to this role than expected. As we place an emphasis on education, we’re inspected and regulated by Ofsted and HMIP, so there will be a lot of administration involved to help us to review and maintain our standards.
Although challenging, this is a highly-rewarding role where you’ll get to see the prisoners change and grow from the services and support that you’d provide alongside other departments such as Education and Resettlement. This isn’t a role for the timid, as you’ll need to maintain control and gravitas at all times as well as being vigilant. A can-do attitude is a must, as is common sense, as you’ll do everything from assessing the suitability of the books that the prisoners request, to ensuring that all doors are locked behind you whenever you move about the building as well as some heavy lifting. You’ll ideally be CILIP qualified (although relevant experience would be just as valuable), with a mature demeanour and passion for helping others.
What you need:
* Experience working within libraries.
* Evidence of making a difference to customers
* Confident IT skills and knowledge
* Excellent numeracy, literacy and communications skills
* Administration skills
* Experience of using Library Management systems, would be useful
* A real focus on customer service.
* Passion and personality
* Evidence of being organised and efficient
* Customer Service Qualification (desirable)
* Be a great team player
What you’ll do:
* Work as part of the team to ensure the smooth operation of the libraries
* Provide welcoming and genuine goodbye to all prisoners, providing guidance and support on how to get the optimum results from their visit by truly engaging with prisoners to understand the reason behind their visit
* Devise and Create imaginative events
* Follow Safeguarding of children and Vulnerable adults policy and procedures
* Follow all Normal & Emergency Operating Procedures as well as adhering to relevant polices and manuals
* Interact with prisoners through conversations and supporting their needs
* Support prisoners with all queries available at the library
* Fully participate in and engage in the any training provided.
As a leader within the leisure industry we can also offer scope to progress your career, and job variety like nowhere else.
In return, you will get:
- A minimum of 8 hours a week, part time permanent role. There is an option to request additional hours weekly
- £24,459.24 per annum (Pro rata based on working 36 hours a week)
- Industry leading rates of pay banding dependant on relevant qualifications
- Discounted membership at our leisure centres
- Discounts across thousands of retailers (GLL Extras)
- A fantastic pension scheme
- 25% off Red Letter Days
- 25% off Buy A Gift
- 20% off GLL spa experience treatments and associated products.
- 20% off Tea and Tonic products
- Ride to work scheme
- Free eye tests and discounted glasses
- The opportunity to join the GLL Society and have a say in how we are run plus associated social events
- Exclusive discounts on our villas in Portugal
- Exclusive discounts on our Ski chalets in Bulgaria
- Health assurance
- Career pathways, professional development are just the start. To ensure you stay at the top of your game, we provide training with practical and theory elements too.
About GLL
As the UK’s largest leisure operator and charitable social enterprise, we offer a range of careers for everyone in our local communities. We manage over 400 facilities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including public sport and leisure centres, elite sporting venues, libraries and children’s centres. Our people are from the communities we serve and help us make real changes in their local area. One of our core values is ‘More than a Job’, because working with us opens up a wide range of possibilities and opportunities for you, starting with how you work with us.