Library Manager

Our libraries deliver essential community-based support, promoting the benefits of reading for everyone, offering a quality, trusted information service, bridging digital inclusion through supporting safe access to online resources, and curating a programme of events and activities that meet the needs of targeted audiences. Our library staff and volunteers change people's lives for the better every day, and being part of leading the service offers huge job satisfaction. Our central hub, located in Chichester, is pivotal in delivering resources to branches on a daily basis and for providing office-based support to all colleagues in the library network. You will occasionally need to travel independently to other library locations around the county, including to areas that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Pool cars and pool bikes available. The Opportunity An average day might involve:

• Managing the peaks and troughs of stock delivery and supporting the team in getting these new items out to branches.
• Handling the many book requests from customers and stock orders from teams and providing timely turnaround in response to these.
• Coordinating the routes and work of the Van Delivery Service team in light of a sudden mechanical fault to a vehicle.
• Conducting a Performance Management conversation with a colleague and managing the induction of another, along with other general staff management tasks, including authorising leave and sickness monitoring.
• Working to support our Library Administration function and embed it within the practices of the wider team.
• Dealing with catalogue data, purchasing or payment queries, both from colleagues and suppliers, and interacting with external providers to reach satisfactory outcomes.
• Meeting with a Team Manager to discuss how to support their service developments logistically from the hub.
• Dealing with a Health & Safety issue that affects the Power Place building and liaising with IT and Fire & Rescue Service colleagues who share the premises.
As manager you will be supporting and enabling the delivery of the library service through our 36 public libraries across the county. You will work on local and service-wide projects, manage and prioritise your individual workload and contribute to the continuous development of the library service.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to 3 years referencing and a health check.

From flexible working (where possible) to access to our Employee Assistance Programme, we are committed to providing a healthy work life balance. A laptop and mobile will be supplied if applicable to your role. You will benefit from 27 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 5 years' service (pro rata for part time) plus the opportunity to buy additional leave, an excellent local government pension scheme as well as a range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers.