
James Smith
Library Assistant
Dedicated professional supporting library operations and enhancing patron experience.
Highly organised and detail-oriented Library Assistant with over 4 years of experience in academic and public library settings. Proficient in circulation services, cataloguing, interlibrary loans, and providing exceptional patron support. Adept at utilising various Library Management Systems and digital resources to ensure efficient information access. Committed to fostering a welcoming and resourceful environment for all library users, with a strong passion for literature and community engagement. Eager to leverage strong administrative and interpersonal skills to contribute to a dynamic library team.
Manchester Central Library - Manchester, UK
Library Assistant September 2020 to Present 5 years & 10 months
Assisted patrons with locating materials, using public computers, and accessing digital resources, improving user satisfaction by 15%.
Performed accurate shelving and shelf-reading, maintaining the organisation of over 50,000 items using the Dewey Decimal Classification system.
Processed interlibrary loan requests and managed material reserves, ensuring timely delivery and collection.
Provided administrative support, including data entry, record keeping, and preparing library materials for display.
University of Manchester Library - Manchester, UK
Library Assistant (Part-time) September 2018 to August 2020 2 years
Handled the processing and cataloguing of new acquisitions, ensuring accurate entry into the library's integrated system.
Maintained quiet study areas and managed room bookings for group study sessions.
Assisted with inventory checks and identified damaged materials for repair or replacement.
Provided basic technical support for library equipment such as printers, scanners, and public access computers.
Waterstones - Manchester, UK
Retail Assistant June 2017 to August 2018 1 year & 3 months
Managed stock inventory, including receiving deliveries, shelving, and maintaining an organised sales floor.
Operated point-of-sale (POS) systems and handled cash and card transactions accurately.
Contributed to a positive team environment, supporting colleagues during peak hours and promotional events.
Developed strong product knowledge across various genres, enhancing customer engagement and sales.
University of Manchester
Bachelor of Arts (September 2015 to June 2018)
Local Community Centre Library
Literacy Volunteer (January 2019 to December 2019)
Introduction to Library and Information Science
Coursera (University of Michigan) (March 2019 to May 2019)
- https://www.coursera.org/verify/certificate-id
- Library Management Systems (KOHA, Alma)
- Cataloguing (Dewey Decimal, MARC)
- Circulation Services
- Interlibrary Loan (ILLiad)
- Information Retrieval
- Digital Resources Management
- Data Entry & Record Keeping
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
- Database Management
- Basic IT Troubleshooting