Coventry City Council
Library Manager
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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.
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.
About the Service
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
- 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
- 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.
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The Role
As Library Manager for Central Library, you will lead the city's flagship library while providing leadership across several community libraries.
You will manage multiple teams, ensuring library services are welcoming, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of our diverse communities. You will lead service delivery, develop staff, and drive service improvements that help shape the future of libraries in Coventry.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead high-profile services, influence change, and make a lasting impact across the city's library network.
Requirements
All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.
Who We're Looking For
We're looking for an inspiring and experienced leader who is passionate about public services and committed to delivering excellent outcomes for residents.
You will have experience leading teams in a customer-focused environment and be confident managing services across multiple locations. You'll be skilled at developing people, building strong relationships, and driving continuous improvement.
You'll thrive in this role if you are:
- A visible and supportive leader who motivates and develops others.
- Passionate about customer service, community engagement, and inclusion.
- Able to manage competing priorities and deliver results.
- Confident leading change and embracing new opportunities.
- A collaborative team player who shares our values and commitment to improving services.
If you're ready to lead talented teams, shape services that matter, and help create vibrant libraries at the heart of our communities, we'd love to hear from you.
This is a full-time post of 37 hours per week working to a rota that includes evenings and weekends. Core hours of work are to be agreed upon, but the post holder must be available to work on Tuesday evenings until 7 pm, Wednesdays, and alternate Saturdays. There will be 2 salary increments for weekend working.
Application Process
Interviews for this post will be held on 19th August and will consist of a short presentation, interview questions, and a scenario-based exercise.
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If you have any queries, please contact Carrina Blake at 02476 972690 or carrina.blake@coventry.gov.uk.
If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.
Need help completing your application form? The Job Shop can support you. You can email them at jobshopemploymentsupport@coventry.gov.uk or visit the Job Shop in person, please see their webpage for more information. For all other queries, contact Resourcing@coventry.gov.uk.
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
- Currently in care or have previously been in care
- 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'.
We recognise that you might use AI tools to help with your application. While these tools can be useful, please make sure that all information you provide about your experience, skills, and qualifications is accurate. What matters most to us is hearing about your experience and the achievements that truly reflect you!
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
Attached Documents
- Job Description & Person Specification - Library Manager.pdf
- Coventry City Council Application Process.pdf
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