Information Assistant

Job Description

The London Borough of Harrow is currently recruiting for Information Assistants to join its library service and help create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for all visitors. This customer-facing role is central to ensuring that everyone who visits the library can make full use of its services and facilities. Information Assistants engage with customers throughout their visit, offering assistance tailored to individual needs. Key responsibilities include supporting users with self-service equipment, handling transactions at the library desk, responding to enquiries in person and over the phone, shelving and organising library materials, and carrying out a range of administrative tasks. A genuine passion for books and reading—whether for learning or leisure—is essential. The role also involves helping to plan and deliver events and activities for both adults and children. At times, Information Assistants may be required to take responsibility for the library in the absence of a Library Supervisor or Senior Information Assistant. While each post is primarily based at a specific branch, flexibility is important, as staff may be asked to work at other locations within the Harrow Library service. Current vacancies are available at Greenhill Library, Pinner Library, Roxeth Library, Stanmore Library, and Wealdstone Library. Work schedules and branch assignments may be subject to change based on service needs.

The successful candidate will have:

• Accurate filing alphabetically.
• Accurate filing numerically.
• Legible handwriting.
• Clear verbal communication (spoken English to be satisfactorily clear for telephone calls).
• Basic awareness of library provision to a multicultural society and people with disabilities.
• Demonstrate familiarity with computer applications including Microsoft Office software (Word as a minimum) and the internet.
• Ability to deliver high quality customer care to all service users.
• Ability to handle and respond to a range of requests for information.
• Ability to stand and/or walk for periods of time.
• Mobility within a building (stairs etc).
• Ability to lift (up to 10lbs/4.536 kilos weight).

For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/Selection Criteria

About us

Harrow Council is the 12th largest London borough and one of the most culturally diverse local authorities in the UK, making it a great place to live, work and visit with a range of cultures, religions and opinions that come together to produce high achieving schools and a close and friendly community. Located 10 miles from the city centre and just 13 minutes to Euston from Harrow & Wealdstone station there are great transport links via the Metropolitan Line, Watford DC Line and national rail service. It is easily accessible to the M1, M25 and A406.

Other information

Support for candidates visit:Harrow.gov.uk Our behavioural indicators roles below G11 and above G11 Here at Harrow Council, the vision is one of 'Working together to make a difference for Harrow' Please click here to view Harrow Council's benefits

Important Note

To deliver our commitment to equality of opportunity in service provision, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs at the London Borough of Harrow. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender, reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity unless a Genuine Occupational Qualification applies. As such, we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. For further information, please read our equality statement.
As a disability-confident employer, we are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and accessible to everyone. This includes reasonably adjusting the recruitment process for those with disabilities or long-term health conditions. For further information, please contact us at resourcing@harrow.gov.uk

London Borough of Harrow 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. Harrow operates stringent, safer recruitment procedures.
Due to the high number of applications received for some posts, we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.
Harrow redeployees will be given priority consideration.
The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, any your data protection rights, can be found by visiting www.cifas.org.uk/fpn