Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values we strive to have a workforce that reflects our local communities and welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic backgrounds, applicants who have a disability and applicants who are from the LGBTQ+ community to apply for our senior leadership roles. 

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

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?

They are the first point of contact for library visitors. Helping customers with enquiries and IT, answering questions on a wide variety of subjects. They are responsible for managing the team of library staff, timetabling, training, and furthering their development. They will lead on the delivery of events and activities in the library, for example rhymetimes. Encouraging library staff to create and promote book displays, moving books around the library, ways to promote areas of stock.

The Duty Manager is responsible day-to-day for the library building, including the Health and Safety of staff, customers and contractors, co-ordinating use of library floor spaces and meeting rooms, and dealing with complaints and incidents in the library.

This post is 37 hours over two week rota:

• Monday       9.00 – 7.00
• Tuesday      9.00 – 1.00
• Wednesday 10.15 – 7.00
• Thursday      8.30 – 5.00
• Friday          10.30-7. 00 alternate weeks
• Saturday      8.30 – 4.30 opposite alternate week
• Sunday         non-working

Fixed Term Contract for 2 Years

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for someone who has experience of delivering a customer-focussed service, managing projects, and has a range of managerial and professional competencies.

You will have the ability to work closely with communities, and staff, an entrepreneurial approach to service delivery, and a passion for books, reading and working with people. The role also requires you to have good operational and business planning skills to enable the efficient delivery of a programme of events, to maintain provision of relevant, interesting, stock to promote reading for pleasure or education in varied formats. With the ability to motivate and enable people through collaborative working. You will be driven by a commitment to continuous service improvement and is able to innovate to deliver the best possible customer centred service, in line with One Coventry Values and Priorities.

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

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

Interview date(s): 27/02/2024

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 5100 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