Library Assistant Review

Interacting with members of the public to provide them with information, dealing with book loans and returns, telephone enquiries and helping customers get online and solve web based problems. Dealing with stock control, fulfilling customer orders, relocating books to other branches and making up deliveries for housebound and institutional customers.

I have learnt new skills, I have learnt use of new stock control software, how copyright law and GDPR affect the running of a library. I have learnt how to conduct a Bounce and Rhyme session, how to run an after school homework club and how to help users spot fraudulent websites and sort out fake news.

I am enjoying my programme a lot, it gives me a chance to look at parts of the job which may not have a daily impact, or may only be useful as part of the bigger picture. I also enjoy researching how others do things differently and so can come up with new ideas.

The organization of the programme changed after I had started it, and the changes have not yet been carried forward to the SmartAssessor website leaving me a bit adrift on what I still have to produce, although the modules within the programme are sensible an easy enough to work on.

I have received a lot of support from my employer, been allowed time to do research and given contacts within the Libraries structure to whom I can direct questions about policy and stock holding. I can honestly say that they have been brilliant throughout my apprenticeship and have been open tom ideas I have brought in from it.

I have a monthly online progress and feedback meeting, and e-mails are always answered promptly if I have a question. The nature of the training under COVID means that I don't always have immediate contact but it has never proved to be a major problem to just be online.

This again comes down to seeing the bigger picture within our library service and also trying to incorporate new ideas from training and from research into other library services. Even if the end qualification is not immediately beneficial the learning and tools to find out more employed in getting it will always be valuable.

COVID restrictions have very much curtailed many of these events. Before there were regular team meetings which included idea exchanges and training, as well as more general training undertaken by the service as a whole. It is hoped that these will start to run again, as online they are a more stilted and less inspiring affair.

Yes

The council has been very helpful to staff during lockdown, and is invested in getting the best from and for its employees, hence the training. Higher management listen to front line workers and will attempt to find ways to make the job more rewarding whilst still providing service to the community.

Be prepared for a challenging but also rewarding time. |If you can see why things are done they way they are it will give you a better handle on your job and how you can get the most out of it. Also, be prepared to think outside the box when faced with strange problems in a public facing role.