Library jobs in bristol, city of bristol
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About us
We are an independent charity that supports, promotes and represents public libraries. Our work is driven and led by our membership, which includes almost every library service in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies (Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man).
Across the areas we serve there are 176 individual library services with around 3,000 library branches serving over 61 million people.
Our unique approach is to bring these services together to share experience, expertise and evidence – driving innovation and impact across the public library sector.
While senior library leaders sit on our board and committees, we work with library staff at all levels.
As well as providing practical support, training and advice to libraries, we represent them to government and raise their profile in the media. We also develop and lead national library projects with cultural, academic and corporate partners.
We work to a strategic plan that runs until 2027, organised around four themes: drive, grow, connect and engage.
We generate income from membership subscriptions, commissioned services, events and grants. As an Arts Council Investment Principle Support Organisation, part of our core funding in England comes from the Arts Council to help embed their Investment Principles across the library network.
Our values
- We are supportive. We respond to the varied, emerging needs of our members and their communities to enable libraries to learn from each other, and other sector leaders, so that they can safeguard and improve their services.
- We are inclusive. We work with our members and partners to design and deliver our work and to determine our strategic priorities because we are committed to representing the diverse communities and libraries which we serve.
- We are open. We are in constant communication with our members and partners on all levels to learn from their experiences, reflect on our practice and develop our services. We welcome challenge and new directions for our work.
- We are ambitious. We believe that libraries are an essential part of the solution to a range of society’s needs. We promote innovation and collaboration to ensure that libraries are recognised locally and nationally.
Working at Libraries Connected
We are a friendly, collaborative team of around 20 staff based all around England and Wales.
We value diversity and are committed to promoting an inclusive working environment. We strongly believe that inclusive and diverse organisations are not only better places to work, they are more innovative, make better decisions and are more successful. We value people who bring unique perspectives and knowledge to our team.
We want to make our recruitment process as fair as possible. To reduce bias, we shortlist candidates based on their responses to up to six application questions. These are designed to tell us about your values, experience, attitudes to work, and transferable skills. We do not ask for a separate cover letter or supporting statement.
We offer flexible working as standard, helping work fit around family and caring responsibilities. Many of our staff work their hours in different ways, including flexi time and compressed hours. We are open to discussing what would work for you and be possible for the role.
All roles are remote and are open to applicants who live anywhere in the UK. We provide staff with a home office set-up including laptop, monitor and phone. There is the option to work from our central London office or use a co-working space if it is not possible to work from home.
We welcome requests for adjustments to our standard recruitment processes for anyone who needs them.
Our Commercial Team
We have a small commercial team with big ambitions for the sector.
Currently, we hold a single commercial contract worth around £3m per year delivered through 12 libraries. Our aim is to reach a point where we have a menu of commercial contracts that all of our 176 member library services can choose to benefit from according to the skills and assets of their service, their focus and strategy and of course the needs of their communities.
In the current funding climate for local authorities and local government services, these contracts are not just about the income and the services they can provide but about demonstrating nationally the power of the library sector, and how national services can be delivered locally through library services and the communities they serve.
Our approach is to identify and secure contracts procured by national government – either directly or with partners to extend the libraries’ capabilities – with an eye to local delivery through the library services. This allows us to centrally hold and manage the risk of the national contract, leaving the library services to deliver themselves.
We see libraries as a solution to many of society’s challenges and this is one route we use to bring the libraries into that solution.
This area is part of our long term strategy – we are seeking to build the commercial team with this role and while it is initially a 12-month contract, our hope is that with the role in place we can generate the income to sustain and build on it.
Our vision is an inclusive, modern, sustainable and high-quality public library service at the heart of every community in the UK.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Who we're looking for
Brilliant storyteller with confidence in their digital marketing, copywriting and PR skills.
Changemaker who is excited about embedding and championing our new brand.
Motivated communicator who will improve engagement with our stakeholders.
Creative leader who enjoys a proactive and responsive environment.
Impact and evidence champion to influence target audiences, raise awareness and garner support.
Values-led collaborator who will build strong relationships with our team, members and strategic partners.
Our focus is on creating libraries of tomorrow with children and young people today.
We want all children and young people to feel at home at the library, to be understood, empowered and inspired. Our collaborative network is made up of member, partners and supporters. We believe in the need for safe spaces and real-life connections to support the demands of modern life. Together, we’re creating change, and you can be a part of it.
Our charity is going through a rebirth, with a new name, strategy and brand identity launching this autumn. This is a pivotal time for a passionate, skilled communicator to join our team. We’re looking for someone to bring the energy and expertise to take us into this new chapter and to new heights, maximising impact and reach.
We are an Arts Council England Investment Principles Support Organisation. Our members are leaders in children and young people’s public libraries and schools library services (SLS).
What’s important to us needs to be important to you too. We want to focus on impact, to work openly, to collaborate with and learn from others, to take the time to care for ourselves and each other, and to have fun together. We want to build an environmentally sustainable charity, and we want to be celebrated as an inclusion changemaker in the sector.
Experience as a communications professional is essential and you’ll be energised by the opportunity to:
- Raise our profile higher within the sector.
- Raise awareness of the range of activities and impacts libraries deliver for children and young people through research, evidence and compelling communication.
- Develop, manage and deliver targeted advocacy for public libraries and schools library services.
- Maintain and cultivate proactive relationships with advocacy and influencing partners to ensure children and young people are always represented in national policy discussions.
- Embed and champion a strong brand, which supports our members and resonates with new stakeholders to ensure we are the ‘go to partner’ for children and young people’s libraries.
- Maximise our use of existing and new research and data to evidence the impact of library services for children and young people’s and schools library services.
- Promote the sector-leading work of our charity, grow our membership and develop new and innovative ways to increase our reach and engagement.
- Develop a strong case for support to attract new funders and supporters.
We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. If you would like to discuss specific requirements, please get in touch.
Further information including the role description and application form is available on our website.
Creating libraries of tomorrow with children and young people today.
Are you passionate about inspiring a love of reading in children?
The Dollywood Foundation UK runs Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in the UK, the worlds largest book gifting programme. Over the last 30 years the Imagination Library has delivered nearly 300 million books to children globally. In the UK we support over 60k children a month, delivering them a free book sent to their house every month.
The primary purpose of this new role is to increase registrations for the Imagination Library initially across London. This role will support our Local Programme Partners to reach families with whom they are not currently engaging.
Background
We have a steadfast belief that inspiring a love of reading in children can bring joy, love, and measurable individual, family and societal benefits. We are driven by Dolly Parton’s mantra that you “can’t put enough books into the hands of enough children”.
It is an exciting time for the Dollywood Foundation. We have recently received a new investment to allow us to scale our Imagination Library programme across London. As families across the capital become eligible for free books, we need to make every effort to ensure families know about the programme and sign up.
This role is integral to that plan, working with local authority and community organisations to spread the word about the programme. The role holder will need to be passionate about books and supporting children’s development. They will hold brilliant relationship building skills to engage local communities and overcome any barriers to families enrolling.
We are a remote team with no fixed office. While this role will be based from home, regular travel across London will be required. The role holder will need to be based in London or surrounding areas to allow for the frequent travel.
This is an exciting new role, joining a passionate and growing UK team.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Level Internship
Location Hybrid – with majority working from home
Hours Negotiable and can vary between 21 and 35 hours per week
Start Date As soon as possible, ideally starting in August 2025
Contract 3 months (with possible extension)
Background
Lepra is dedicated to addressing leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF) and their consequences through direct support, advocacy, and the promotion of inclusive communities. We work in Bangladesh and in India, through our sister organisation, LEPRA Society. We work in partnership with people affected by leprosy and LF to improve detection, ensure access to treatment and care, and promote inclusion and wellbeing. Last year we finalised our new Global Strategy for 2024-30, which will guide us in our efforts to accelerate progress towards global targets for leprosy and LF, and towards our vision of a world free from leprosy and LF.
Job Context
Lepra UK is seeking to expand impactful social research, and the research internship was created to assist with moving forward some key research pieces during the summer 2025. As Research Intern, you will work alongside the Head of Research and a team of research volunteers to complete a systematic evidence review on the experience of children affected by leprosy of stigma, discrimination and mental health responses. You will support the review with screening of articles, data extraction, verification, coding, synthesis and quality assessment. You will join the team two months into the project, taking on various roles to assist with the completion of this project. You will also help with conducting a literature review on the socio-cultural reasons for (non)adherence in multi-drug therapy treatment (MDT). Other tasks will be assigned as they emerge. Your work will provide valuable insight into under-researched fields and will contribute to evidence-based publications, recommendations and programming.
Working Relationships
- Reports to Head of Research in the Programmes and Advocacy Department
- Works as part of a research team in the Programmes and Advocacy Department
Person Specification
Essential
- Current or recent post-graduate in a relevant MSc/PhD programme (or otherwise affiliated to an academic institution)
- Passion for social causes and global health with high levels of intrinsic motivation/drive
- A desire to excel in high quality outputs with superb attention to detail
- A desire to contribute to published outputs as co-author, with the relevant analytical skills
- Previous experience of literature reviews and/or systematic reviews (Prisma)
- Advanced knowledge of referencing mangers, such as EndNote
- Advanced experience of using Excel spreadsheets for data management
Desirable
- Some understanding of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and/or leprosy
- Prior understanding of stigma/discrimination/mental health in NTDs or other contexts
- Experience of qualitative research (including facilitation skills and data analysis)
- Reading knowledge of Portuguese would be an added advantage given the requirements within the team
Key Responsibilities
1. Research assistance in systematic review: data extraction, verification and synthesis
- Assist with screening of academic articles and relevant literature.
- Extract, verify, and code data according to pre-established criteria.
- Organise and synthesise findings in Excel.
- Implement colour-coded classification of themes within PDF documents in an EndNote library.
- Use CASP checklists to assess the quality of included articles.
- Support the writing of specific sections for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
- Ensure quality control and consistency in data handling and documentation.
2. Research citation management
- Take responsibility for managing a research library in EndNote, updating references and formatting outputs in line with Lancet/Vancouver style
3. Research assistance in new literature review
- Assist with conducting a comprehensive literature review.
- Search academic databases and grey literature for evidence on complex factors for MDT (multi-drug therapy) (non-)adherence.
- Capture both barriers and enablers including the following categories: social, cultural, emotional, clinical/reactions, systemic/health system, disease knowledge.
- Assist with writing up findings for publication in peer-reviewed journal.
4. Any other tasks as they emerge, potentially involving other written outputs
All contributions to published outputs on the required level of quality and depth will lead to
co-authorship.
Please submit your CV and a maximum one page long Cover Letter, specifying the following in one paragraph each:[DD1]
1) How you meet the essential criteria.
2) How you meet the desirable criteria.
3) Explain your personal circumstances and preferences (such as preferred start date and availability in terms of length of internship and weekly hours). Include a sentence on how this internship will help you with your career goals.
We offer a lot of flexibility in working practices and there is free reserved parking available when visiting our Colchester office. We also offer 26 days annual leave plus public holidays (pro-rated).
Please check your email inbox and spam/junk mail folder for any email correspondence for this vacancy.
If you require any reasonable considerations such as access or information in an alternative format, please inform us soon as you are able so that we can make the appropriate adjustments.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Are you passionate about the wellbeing of people and the planet?
Can you engage people through effective communications and events?
If so, we’d love to hear to hear from you.
We believe in people and the planet thriving together. We want to see a world where thriving is possible - because society is structured to support people's wellbeing rather than to undermine it. We're building a network of wellbeing changemakers who share our vision.
We're now recruiting for a Network Development Manager to oversee our relationships with our followers, including by rolling out a new Ambassador programme. Working from home, somewhere in the UK, flexibly for three days a week, the successful candidate will play a major role at the heart of a growing movement to embed wellbeing in our economy and our society.
They will be a good team player with experience of engaging networks of passionate people. They will have excellent spoken and written communications skills and a track record in organising exciting online and in-person events. Some fundraising experience would be an advantage, but above all, they will have a passion for wellbeing - of people and of the planet.
Note
- We are looking to ensure the diversity of the staff group reflects the diversity of people in the UK and would welcome applications from people in all social groups.
- We offer 28 days paid leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays and membership of our pension scheme.
- All appointments to the Network of Wellbeing are subject to a six-month probation period.
To connect people, support projects and inspire action for the wellbeing of people and the planet.




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Location: Remote (based in England & Wales with occasional travel required for biannual team days in London, termly Support Coach Team meetings in various locations, and twice termly vists to facilitators in various locations). Due to location of regional hubs, we would encourage applications from the Bristol, Liverpool and Manchester areas.
Salary: £28,665 - £30,765 pro rata (£22,932 - £24,612 actual)
Hours of work: 4 days a week (28 hours)
Contract type: Permanent
Why work for Kids Matter?
- Generous annual leave – 25 days (plus bank holidays) per year pro rata, with time off between Christmas and New Year's additional to this allowance.
- Remote working contribution – receive £26/month pro rata towards the costs of working from home and/or using a co-working space.
- Access to coaching sessions, training opportunities and our Employee Assistance Programme (a confidential support service for staff).
- Flexible working across weekdays to suit your schedule.
About us
Kids Matter is one of the UK’s fastest growing children’s charities.
Our vision is to see every child in need raised in a strong family. Our mission is to reduce the impact of poverty on children through community-based parenting programmes.
Research shows that group-based early intervention parenting groups are the most effective way to support children in need. We train peer facilitators in local churches - the largest voluntary body in the country - to run our affordable, accessible and highly effective parenting programmes, written by Clinical Psychologists. They come alongside parents and carers, building long-lasting community in addition to encouraging confidence and learning positive parenting skills.
We value difference and diversity, and we want our workplace to be built on shared values of equality and mutual trust, with team members representing the wide range of backgrounds and experiences that exist within the UK. We therefore actively encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds and varied experiences, particularly those who are African, Afro-Caribbean, Asian or part of other minority ethnic communities, who have lived experience of the impact of low-income/low-support circumstances, and who are living with a disability or identify as being neurodivergent.
About the role
The Support Coach role involves:
- Supporting volunteer facilitators by coaching them through the opportunities, challenges and obstacles of running a Kids Matter programme
- Training and upskilling facilitators by helping run events and develop new resources
- Working with the wider Kids Matter team to encourage and strengthen Kids Matter’s church partnerships
At Kids Matter, we are committed to delivering effective coaching. All Support Coaches are given the opportunity to go through the coaching accreditation process with ICF to become an Associate Certified Coach (ACC). Kids Matter provides the support and supervision for this to take place, and will cover the cost of the accreditation if the individual remains employed as a Support Coach for the two years following applying for accreditation. If the individual leaves before two years, a percentage of the accreditation cost will be required to pay back.
About you
Are you someone who enjoys coming alongside others, encouraging and challenging them as they learn and grow? Do you have a strong understanding of the disadvantages many families face in the UK? Can you sensitively and effectively communicate with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences? Are you a Christian with an active faith in Jesus? Do you have a passion for Kids Matter’s vision to see every child in need raised in a strong family?
Then we would love to hear from you!
How to apply
You can apply for the Support Coach position by clicking ‘Apply via Website’ and completing a copy of our online application form.
The deadline for applications is 4pm Monday 1st September 2025. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.
We also ask for all applicants to submit an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, which will be sent to you to complete following the submission of your application. This form will be used for anonymous analysis to ensure our overall recruitment procedures are fair and transparent. It will never be viewed or used as part of the selection process. It is optional to submit this form.
If you would like any application/interview support or you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the application process, or if you would like an informal phone call to ask questions or discuss the role, please contact Katie Washington (HR & Systems Coordinator).
Please see the job pack for more details on the role and application process.
We exist to reduce the impact of poverty on children in need across the UK.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.