Duty Manager

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.

Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

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.

What is the job role?

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

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 supervise the delivery of events and activities in the library, (for example rhymetimes), and work with library managers and library staff enabling the promotion, display and rotation of books and other services.

Who are we looking for?

We are we looking for someone who has experience of delivering a customer-focussed service, with supervisory experience and a knowledge of how to train, motivate and develop teams.

They must be resourceful and have good problem-solving skills, with the ability to lead and participate in events.

Someone with excellent customer service skills, with an eye to keeping library spaces welcoming to all. Good communication and IT skills, who wants to share their passion for books and reading and working with people. If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Rota:

Week 1

• 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

Week 2

• Monday 9.00-7.00
• Tuesday 9.00-1.00
• Wednesday 10.15-7.00
• Thursday 8.30-5.00
• Saturday 8.30-4.30

If you have any queries, please contact Ewa Gmiter on 07570818668

or Carrina Blake on 07985 816580

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

Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.

Interview date: 16 of May 2025

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