Prison Librarian

Overview

How you’ll make a difference

Working at HMP Leyhill, Tortworth, you will manage a well-stocked library and support literacy, learning and rehabilitation within the prison community.

What you will be doing

• You will be responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the library, leading a small team of part-time Prison Library Assistants and prison library orderlies. Together, you will organise, maintain, develop and promote the library service provided for prisoners.
• We require you to coordinate the service development and promote library engagement initiatives, organising reading and literacy programmes tailored to the prison community and liaising with colleagues in the prison.
• You will select and purchase library materials to meet the needs of prisoners and manage a small stock budget.
• It will be key for you to monitor the use of the service by collection of statistics and regularly report to the Library Services Manager and prison colleagues.
• Regularly, you will need to undertake the physical aspects of the job including shelving and counter work, lifting and carrying books and other materials and unpacking and packing crates from our deliveries.

What we need from you

• We require you to hold or be working towards a relevant library and information qualification, such as MSc Library and Information Management or equivalent professional experience in a similar area.
• You need to have experience working in a library environment, delivering a high-quality, customer-focused service.
• You will be able to demonstrate an ability to manage staff, including supervision, training, recruitment and development of a team.
• Given the elements of this role, you will be self-motivated, be able to use your initiative, manage and prioritise personal workload and priorities and have good organisational skills.  You must also have excellent IT and digital skills.
• You will have good inter-personal skills including communication, influencing and negotiating to communicate with a wide range of people to solve issues and identify solutions.
• Although not essential, you may have experience of working in a prison, public or education library.

What you need to know

• Your salary is pro-rata to hours worked.
• You will be working in a Category D open prison, and you will need to comply with security procedures and undertake appropriate training. HMPPS vetting and clearances will be required for this post. This will be organised by the prison.
• Please note that due to the nature of this role, it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained. 

 

Interviews will be held on Friday 26th September 2025.

How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different

• As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities. 
• We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.
• We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work.  
• We trust our team to work in the way which allows them to make the biggest difference, and we continue to invest in technology to help staff do their jobs to the best of their ability and celebrate innovation.  
• Office-based, you’ll be part of a team. If you need specialist expertise or just a bit of advice from someone who’s been there and done it, it’s right there for you.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Ensuring all our staff are given right skills, knowledge and support to recognise and respond effectively to potential abuse or neglect.  

 

Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.    

• We’re building and shaping communities which people are proud of. 
• We’re planning for the future; building and improving the roads, railways, schools, green spaces, and houses.  
• We’re providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained.   

 

We’ve achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.     
We’re making a difference, be part of it!     
To view the full job description, please click this link: Prison Librarian – Job Description