Jobs

Library Counter Assistant

I joined the library service in October 2000, after a long career in the construction industry had ended in voluntary redundancy.

I was not ready to retire but had had enough of construction, so I began looking for a part-time job in a different field. Luckily for me, my local library at Bishop’s Stortford advertised for Counter Assistants at about the right time. As I have been an enthusiastic library user since I was able to read, I put in an application, which, somewhat to my surprise, was successful. I now work 22 hours a week, including evenings and Saturdays on a rota.

I have found that even for a Counter Assistant (the lowest level on the staff structure ladder) the work is surprisingly varied. As a mere borrower, I had taken for granted and given little thought to the range of “behind the scenes” activities. It was quite an eye opener to be introduced to the scope of the tasks needed to enable a modern library to function.

My duties include serving on the counter and shelving returned books, finding books requested by borrowers in other libraries, processing books and other items sent by other libraries for Bishop’s Stortford borrowers, and when they have been returned to us, sending those items back whence they came. From time to time I staff the Reception Desk, joining new members and helping borrowers make requests, among other things. Occasionally I repair or re-jacket books. I do not work on the Enquiry Desk but like everyone else often need to help borrowers find an item or some information.

The public service ethos is paramount and the staff are all keen to provide the best service they can. I find it very rewarding that in the main our members seem to appreciate this and to regard their library as a valuable resource. Indeed, as I told my Library Manager at the end of my first year here, I felt that I had gained more job satisfaction from a year working in a library than from nearly forty years in the construction industry.


Michael Scott
Counter Assistant
Bishops Stortford Library.