Our Values

It’s great to know that you are interested in working with us at Coventry City Council. As a prospective employee, it is important that everyone who works for us is committed to our One Coventry values and shares our commitment to becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation. 

Our Values are:

About the team we are recruiting to

Coventry City Council’s Library and Information Service is a public facing service operating for the benefit of local communities and the wider city.   
Providing services from the central library and 16 local libraries (3 of which are community led) Coventry libraries provide a unique 'cradle-to-grave' service bringing individuals and communities together.   
Public libraries acquire, organise and provide access to a range of information and reading resources to meet the diverse needs of a community.  We actively support independent learning and encourage reader development, also providing information on areas such as:

• Local and national government services, 
• Learning opportunities,  
• Leisure activities, and  
• Local community news and events  

We also play an important role in providing access to computers and the internet for those who are digitally excluded.   
The Library Service works in partnership with local, regional and national organisations to provide a full and wide-ranging service offer.  Partners include: 

• Arts Council England 
• BBC  
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport 
• Libraries Connected  
• Public Health England, and  
• Reading Agency 

Libraries are uniquely placed to change lives for the better. They are busy and vibrant open spaces, not only providing access to books but also helping people to help themselves and improve their opportunities. By providing practical support and guidance, libraries play a critical role in enabling and empowering people to realise their potential, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

What is the job role?

This post has a genuine occupational requirement for the successful candidate to be a female.  We are only able accept applications from female candidates.

We are looking for someone to join the Contact and Connect Team, to support the work of Coventry Library Service, in providing a safe welcoming space for visitors to relax, read, learn, use computers, attend and participate in events on site or online. The focus for the role is working directly with newly arrived Afghan communities to Coventry to enable them to use Library Services in the City.

In your role you will be ensuring a good visitor experience and will be assisting by providing information and signposting.

The main day to day duties of the role include:

• Answering public enquiries on a range of topics
• Answering queries and assisting visitors access Library stock in its many formats
• Maintain the welcoming atmosphere of our library spaces: including keeping library spaces clean and tidy, creating eye catching displays and actively promoting stock and activities.
• Actively promote Coventry Library Service through face to face and online interaction in English and Dari
• Deliver events and activities for example rhyme times and conversation cafes in English and Dari

Who are we looking for?

 The ideal candidate will have:

• Knowledge of customer care

• Verbal and written communication skills in English and Dari

• Communicating with the general public, outside organisations and other employees, face to face and over the telephone.
• Able to lift and carry materials and resources.
• Able to walk and stand for length of shift periods
• Experience of use of a variety of computing packages e.g. internet searches, Microsoft Word and Excel

Fixed-term contract until 31st December 2023

We need someone who is able and willing to work evenings and weekends, and able to travel to all Coventry Library locations, sometimes at short notice.

Hours of Post - 37 hours per week, on a 2-week rota:

Monday              9.30am-5pm

Tuesday              8.30am–4.30pm

Wednesday       10am-6pm alternate (week 2)

Thursday            11am-7pm                      

Friday                 11am-7pm                      

Saturday             8.30am-4.30pm alternate (week 1)

For full details on the application process please read the attached document labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'

Please note applications will be shortlisted on the Personal Statement only

Interview date(s): Monday 30th January 2023

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 4800 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

Coventry City Council