Job title

Job description

Assistant Librarian

House of Lords - Library

BELONG HERE. TOGETHER, WE MAKE PARLIAMENT HAPPEN.

As an Assistant Librarian, you'll play an important role in supporting the UK's parliamentary democracy. Your work will help Members carry out their responsibilities effectively - contributing to something bigger than any one role.

You'll be part of a collaborative community, working alongside colleagues from a wide range of professions. Together, we make Parliament happen.

You'll be based on the Parliamentary Estate in Westminster - a unique working environment shaped by history and powered by the people who work here today.

This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a knowledgeable and supportive team, contributing to a highly valued service that supports Parliament and safeguards important collections for the benefit of its users.

What you'll be doing

In this role, you'll:

• Facilitate the management of the Library's acquisitions records, including creating, maintaining and deleting records as appropriate. This includes placing orders with suppliers, processing invoices, maintaining expenditure records and using a range of systems, including Koha, Excel, Outlook and SharePoint, to ensure information is accurate and up to date.
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of accurate, consistent and relevant catalogue records, applying professional cataloguing standards and practices, including RDA, AACR2, LCSH, DDC23 and MARC21. The postholder will also have opportunities to contribute to the development and refinement of related policies and working practices.
• Assist with the monitoring of the Library environment, helping to identify and report potential risks to collections and supporting activities that promote their long-term preservation and care.
• Prepare material for binding, including parliamentary publications, and work with suppliers and colleagues to help ensure quality standards are met and budget resources are used effectively.
• Monitor collection usage data and user feedback to help inform collection management decisions, contributing recommendations on the retention, review or disposal of Library materials to ensure collections remain relevant and valuable to users.
• Participate in the Library's Information Desk rota, providing a welcoming and responsive service to Members, their staff and House staff (including evening duties where required, for which an allowance is payable).

What we're looking for

We're looking for someone who can bring their skills and experience to make a meaningful contribution here.

You'll have:

• A CILIP accredited degree or postgraduate qualification in a Library and Information Science related discipline or demonstrable equivalent knowledge and experience
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work with high standards of accuracy, with knowledge of RDA, AACR2, LCSH, DDC23 and MARC21
• Knowledge of book collection care, including preservation and conservation principles and practices

It would be even better if you have (or are willing to learn):

• Experience of working with library information resources and collections (print and online), including familiarity with a range of reference resources and information retrieval tools.
• Experience of reference enquiry work or experience delivering an equivalent service to customers involving the ability to find relevant information from authoritative published sources.
• Demonstrable ability to use excellent self-motivation skills to deliver successful outcomes.

For full details, please see the job description.

What you'll get in return

As part of a collaborative and supportive Library team, this is an opportunity to expand on your existing librarianship knowledge through practical experience of different aspects of the profession, with opportunities to attend relevant specialist training.

Working at the House of Lords means joining a community that values your wellbeing, growth and contribution.

You'll benefit from:

• 30 days annual leave (rising to 35 after one year).

• Generous Civil Service pension scheme.

• A comprehensive Parliamentary health and wellbeing programme.

• Access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities across diverse professions.

• The chance to witness democracy in action and work in a place of historic national significance.

The work we do is vital to the House of Lords - the second chamber of the UK Parliament. It plays a critical role in making laws, scrutinising government, and providing independent expertise on national issues.

Ready to apply?

If you're looking for an employer where you can belong, grow and thrive, we'd love to hear from you.

Please complete your online application by 23:59 on Sunday 13 th September 2026