Gateshead Council
Libraries and Heritage Development Officer
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Libraries and Heritage Development Officer - Gateshead Archive within Central Library
Part time 25.5 hour contract - 2 week shift pattern including some evening and weekend working. Days to be discussed at interview.
Lead services that connect communities and bring heritage to life.
Who We Are And What We Stand For
Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might just be the perfect match.
We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.
We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.
At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.
Create opportunities through culture, learning and heritage.
The Libraries and Heritage Service at Gateshead Council plays a vital role in supporting learning, wellbeing and community connection across the borough. Our libraries are inclusive, welcoming spaces that enable access to free books and heritage collections, trusted information and digital resources, while promoting reading for pleasure and wellbeing at every stage of life.
Our teams deliver activities across Gateshead in library buildings and community venues, working with partners build links with diverse residents and support of people of all ages. We work with schools and teachers to deliver targeted activities and support SEND groups to engage with our services. We support people to improve digital skills and access new technologies.
Help people discover, learn and thrive.
Gateshead Libraries are seeking an enthusiastic and detail-oriented Libraries and Heritage Development Officer for Gateshead Archive, based at Gateshead Central Library. The role will supervise the Archive visitor space, including the main public computer service for the Central Library, and join a rota of duty managers supervising the wider Central Library building. The postholder will be responsible for cataloguing Archive collections and for developing new heritage services, outreach activities and class visits. The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience of working in a public-facing environment, strong team-working skills, experience of supervising staff and excellent communication abilities.
What You'll Get To Do
- Ensure the development and delivery of library and heritage services to meet the needs of specific library user groups.
- Explore and develop new and existing partnerships and opportunities for working collaboratively to develop and promote library and heritage themed activities and the overall public health and wellbeing offer, and the positive impact on health and wellbeing.
- Develop specialist collections and resources as appropriate using research skills to ensure collections are used to their best potential.
- Supervise and develop staff, sharing specialist knowledge and delivering training, while helping to maintain safe, compliant and well-managed library and archive facilities in line with Council policies and procedures.
- Act as Senior on Duty and deputise for the Library Manager, taking responsibility for the safe and effective operation of a busy public library, supporting staff, responding to incidents and ensuring a high-quality customer experience.
- Provide information and support to residents and signpost them to the relevant services agencies and professionals such as housing, unemployment, debt/finance and health where they have presented with difficult or complex needs to encourage all residents to thrive.
- Ensure the collation and recording of relevant, accurate information and intelligence as required to ensure the management team can carry out robust evaluation of the success and sustainability of activities to ensure the service is delivering objectives and priorities in line with the health, wellbeing and Thrive strategy.
- Monitor project budgets and ensure the provision of suitable stock and resources to meet the needs of the delivery of services.
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What You'll Bring
- A degree in Library and Information Management (or equivalent relevant qualification).
- Experience working in a public library, archive, heritage or similar customer-focused environment.
- Proven experience of supervising, supporting and developing staff in a busy service setting.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with customers, colleagues, partners and stakeholders.
- Experience of planning, delivering and evaluating activities, events or projects that engage communities and meet service objectives.
- The ability to make sound decisions, manage competing priorities and remain calm under pressure in a public-facing environment.
- Ability to undertake the physical requirements of the role, including manual handling, lifting and moving stock and archive materials, bending, reaching and frequent use of stairs.
- A passion for libraries, archives, heritage and community engagement, together with confidence using digital technology and learning new systems.
What’s In It For You
- Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience pro rata.
- Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
- Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave pro rata, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
- Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
- Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
- Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
- Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).
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Our commitment to you
We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
How To Apply
You can apply online using the apply now button below. Within the form, you’ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications.
We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying.
If you have any questions about your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team via
Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.
Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.
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