Premium accounts now available! Sign up and create a premium account. Read more Close

Your cookie settings

This site uses cookies. Some cookies are essential to make the site work and others help us to improve our services. Read more about cookies in our Privacy policy.

Choose your cookie preferences:

Advertisement

Image

Library Assistant (Reference) (Part Time, Fixed Term)

Job Created on 15 Jun 2026 University of Cambridge

Ever wanted to work in an institution that is home to one of the world's great collections of cultural treasures and research materials?

Spanning thousands of years of human thought and discovery, Cambridge University Libraries and Archives house unique treasures and research materials made up of nearly ten million books, maps, manuscripts, photographs and priceless objects.

If you can think on your feet to resolve user issues, dig out information to answer research queries, and provide excellent customer service whilst doing it, we'd love to hear from you!

This part-time role works Saturdays 8.45am-5pm and Thursdays 8.45-12.30pm.

The role

The Research and Information Services department is the main point of enquiry for users within the Library. Operating out of the main Reading Room we answer a huge variety of user enquiries, from simple IT issues to research support.

In addition to this we assist with a wide selection of the day-to-day tasks required to operate the Library, including distribution of non-borrowable material, overseeing the main Reading Room, study space and room bookings, maintaining the Reference collection, regulating access to the Safepod Network, guiding users on a wide range of electronic resources, providing support, tours and training, and much more.

As we cover a wide variety of areas, we often work alongside other teams within the Library, meaning the role offers a great opportunity to learn about the many different facets of one of the largest research libraries in the country.

As a fixed term post until 1 December 2026, this part time post is available as a secondment or to supplement existing working hours for current university employees.

Please request permission from your line manager prior to applying.

As RIS Library Assistant you will:

  • Provide a welcoming point of contact to the Library's users.
  • Assist with enquiries in-person and via email.
  • Assist with research support in-person and via email.
  • Use the Library Management System to carry out all aspects of library work including the issuing and returning of books.
  • Assist or lead library and information skills activities.
  • Oversee all aspects of the main Reading Room, and its collection of reference material.
  • Assist in the induction, training and supervision of cover staff.
  • Cover other reader service positions as necessary.

    • What we are looking for

  • Enthusiasm, initiative, and a committed approach to the delivery of the highest possible level of customer service.
  • Experience of working for a service that provided a high standard of customer service.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • A thorough knowledge of IT and of electronic resources.
  • The ability to work well under pressure.
  • The ability to switch between tasks as user needs require.
  • The ability to work unsupervised as well as part of a team.

    • What we offer

  • Generous annual leave allowance, pro-rata depending on days worked across the week.
  • Exceptional parental leave (including maternity, paternity / co-parent, adoption and shared parental leave).
  • Discounts on major retailers.
  • Professional development opportunities such as apprenticeships and access to a variety of training courses.

    • We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

    We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department.

    Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

    For informal enquiries please contact Christian Mills, Research and Information Services Team Leader, at [email protected].

    We welcome applications from internal candidates as a secondment. Please discuss with your line manager before applying.

    Application closing date: 28th June 2026. Interview date : Tuesday 14 July 2026

    For further details please refer to the Further Particulars.

    Please quote reference VE49978 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

    The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

    The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

    Advertisement

    Stats

    • Recommendations n/a n/a positive of 0 vote(s)
    • Views 7
    • Comments 0

    Recommended by

    • No recommendations yet.

    Do you recommend this? Please sign in. Yes No

    Recommended

    Post a comment

    You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

    Comments

    There are no comments yet.

    Advertisement