Casual Library Assistant - Prison Service

If you have a passion for customer service and a keenness to work at our Prison Library located at HMP Lewes, we would like to hear from you!

Your role will be working as part of a team to provide a welcoming, courteous, reliable and efficient Library service to prisoners and staff within HMP Lewes. This will include responding to stock enquiries and reservations, facilitating group activities including reading groups and board games and supporting new initiatives in partnership with local and national organisations.

You will need to be confident, flexible, diplomatic and patient with the ability to work on your own initiative and alone whilst adhering to the prison rules and regulations. Good interpersonal and communication skills are essential as is the requirement to be able to relate to people from all walks of life, who are predominately male. While good ICT skills are important, knowledge and experience of working in a library is not essential as full training will be provided.

• We are looking for candidates who can also:
• Work well in a team
• Are self-motivated
• Can undertake manual handling tasks
• Are willing to learn and undertake training as required

Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for more information.

To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will be using your Supporting Statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.

For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page and our statement on the use of AI.

Successful candidates will be invited to interview during either the week commencing 3 August 2026 or week commencing 10 August at County Hall, Lewes.

Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details.

This is an opportunity to be added to our pool of casual library assistants who will support delivery of the library at HMP Lewes at points of staff absence throughout the year.

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please call Jack Pierce, Library Operations Manager, on 07701 394477.

For work that makes a difference, choose East Sussex.

Additional Information

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record. Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.

If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.