Contract type Permanent
Hours Part-time
Department Library Service
Salary Grade 6, £26,825 to £28,142 per annum pro-rata (actual salary, £14,500 to £15,211.89)
Reference 2026_1781
Location HMP Isle of Wight - Albany and Parkhurst sites
Closing date 22 June 2026
20 hours per week
We are looking to recruit a library assistant to work within the prison libraries. The role will include issuing and discharging books and materials using the library computer system and catalogue.
The successful candidate will provide high quality library services. Experience of working within a library is not essential but you will need experience of working in a customer facing role assisting people from diverse backgrounds.
An interest and knowledge of books and reading would be advantageous as well as good IT skills.
You must be reliable and responsible, be good working in a small team and have experience of supervising other staff or volunteers as the post will involve the supervision of prison orderlies.
The successful candidate will be required to complete key training and follow security procedures for the prison.
Essential qualifications for the post are 5 GCSEs or equivalent, while ICT and customer service skills are also required. Any appointment would be subject to a DBS check and vetting by the Prison Service.
The post holder will work 20 hours per week. These hours will be:
8.30am – 5pm Wednesdays and Thursdays (with half hour lunch break) and 8am-12pm on Fridays.
These hours are subject to change due to cover for other staff holidays and sickness.
A visit to the prison libraries will be an essential part of the interview process.
For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Joanna Cooke at 01983 823824 or email [email protected]
Join #TeamIWC and you'll receive our staff benefits package, including:
- Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a PLUS public holidays!
- Local Government pension scheme
- Discounted Solent ferry travel
- Island bus network discount
- Cycle to work scheme
- Staff parking permit scheme
- Discounted island sports & leisure gym membership
- National and local discounts & benefits schemes
- Relocation scheme of up to £8,000 may be available for some roles (subject to criteria)
- Travel allowance may be available if commuting from the mainland (subject to criteria)
To discover more about our careers please visit Jobs and careers - Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight Council currently does not have a license to sponsor overseas workers.
We actively promote the diversity of our workforce, and provide flexible working options (where appropriate) to support the different needs of our employees. We are an equal opportunities employer, proud to encourage applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to better reflect the diversity within our local community.
We are a Disability Confident employer. Along with a number of commitments, this means, providing you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council.
The Isle of Wight Council protects its employees from discrimination, and this is supported by;
unacceptable behaviour policy
employee code of conduct
The Isle of Wight Council’s Terms & Conditions of employment are available upon request. Please contact our recruitment team via [email protected] if you would like to receive a copy.
The Isle of Wight Council reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than stated, if required. To ensure your application is considered, it is recommended to submit your application promptly.
For support completing your online application or for further information on how to apply, phone 01983 823134 or email [email protected] Only applications submitted online by the closing date will be accepted.
We often receive a high volume of applicants for our vacancies. If you do not hear from the recruiting manager within three weeks of the closing date, we regret that your application will not have been successful on this occasion. Please revisit our job page for alternate posts that may be suitable.
