Peripatetic Library and Information Advisor

• Suffolk County Council
• Address:Bury St Edmunds Library Sergeants Walk St Andrews Street North Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP33 1TZ On-site
• Salary: 25185 per annum (pro rata)

• Hours: 24 hours per week average see

  Working week for full details

• Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council were passionate about improving the future for our customers our communities and the environment.

If you are too join us as a Peripatetic Library and Information Advisor and make a huge and meaningful impact.

Your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving. Our opportunities and support will enable you to make a difference and leave a positive lasting legacy. Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Peripatetic Library and Information Advisor youll be at the heart of your local community helping people of all ages access the services support and inspiration that libraries offer.

Based at Bury St Edmunds Library you will regularly provide cover at other libraries.

There is an expectation of travel to other libraries as and when required up to 1 hour 15 mins travelling distance from your base Library.

Working week:

Week 1 - 7 hours on Monday 7 hours on Wednesday and 7 hours on Friday.

Week 2 - 7 hours on Wednesday 7 hours on Friday and 7.5 hours on Saturday and 5.5 hours on Sunday.

On a typical day you might:

• Deliver excellent customer service to a wide range of visitors including children families and older adults.
• Support customers with using library services from borrowing books to navigating digital resources.
• Run and support activities such as childrens story time crafts and community events.
• Help customers with IT queries including using mobile devices email and social media.
• Work closely with volunteers and community groups to raise the librarys profile and deliver outreach services.
• Carry out core library tasks such as shelving stock management taking payments and creating displays.

This is a physically active role that involves bending and lifting. This role could also involve lone workingand as such youll be expected to open and close the library building. Weekend working is an essential part of this role



You will need

Were looking for someone who:

• Can deliver great customer service to people of all ages.
• Communicates effectively and builds positive supportive relationships with customers colleagues and the wider community.
• Is confident engaging with young people and enthusiastic about delivering activities like childrens crafts and story sessions.
• Is IT literate and comfortable using the internet social media email mobile devices and appsand can guide others in using them too.
• Works well as part of a team and is happy to support colleagues.
• Is willing to learn and carry out the full range of library procedures including shelving lending self-service support taking payments stock work displays and rearranging the library space when needed.

If youve worked in a customer-facing role enjoy helping people and have experience working with children wed love to hear from you. An interest in books and computers is a big plus.

You can view a full list of requirements in theJob and Person Profile (Word).If you believe you can succeed in this role apply. Even if you dont meet all requirements still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

Youll be joining a friendly supportive team thats passionate about making the library a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone. We work closely with volunteers community groups and schools to deliver a wide range of services and events. Our team values collaboration creativity and a shared commitment to helping people thrive.

Empowering Everyone

Were big believers in potential possibility and the power of different ideas. Were always searching for ways to encourage respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation as shown in ourWorkforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Charmain Osbornefor a casual conversation. You can reach them by emailing

How to apply

Step 1 Read theJob and Person Profile (Word).
Step 2 Click Apply Now to start your online application.
Step 3 -Upload asupporting statementanswering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use theSupporting Statement template (Word).

1. Describe a situation where you had to adapt quickly to a change in your work environment or responsibilities. How did you handle it
2. How do you manage multiple tasks or responsibilities during a busy shift Can you give an example
3. Can you share an experience where you had to deal with a difficult customer or situation How did you maintain professionalism and resolve the issue
4. Tell us about a situation where you had to deal with a challenging customer or incident while working alone. How did you handle it and what was the outcome

Step 4 -Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note:Without a supporting statement and CV your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to applyIf you are disabled and/or have additional support needs you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team ator.

You can find examples of possible adjustments on ourReasonable Adjustment pages. If youre invited to the next stage youll have another chance to request adjustments.

Closing date: 11.30 pm 17 March 2026.
Interview date: 1 April 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.#LI-Onsite