Prison Librarian

Overview

We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a Prison Librarian at HMP Springhill.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact by providing inmates with access to high-quality library services, supporting literacy, learning, and personal development. The successful candidate will deliver a range of activities and initiatives, working alongside partners such as The Shannon Trust, to promote engagement and rehabilitation through the prison library.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

HMP Springhill is a Category D men's prison located in Buckinghamshire. The prison is committed to creating a supportive and rehabilitative environment for its inmates. The library is managed by a single librarian, supported by a small team of orderlies. While the role is largely independent, the librarian works collaboratively with prison staff, prison librarian at HMP Grendon and external partners to ensure that library services meet the diverse needs of the prison population. The environment is welcoming and inclusive, with opportunities for professional development and growth, and a strong focus on promoting literacy and learning.

About the role

As the Prison Librarian, you will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the library, including cataloguing and organising materials, assisting inmates with their information needs, and promoting literacy programmes. You will also have the opportunity to develop and implement new initiatives to enhance the library’s services. This role is crucial in supporting the rehabilitative aims of the prison, and you will play a key part in helping inmates develop valuable skills for their future. One of the most rewarding aspects of this job is the chance to work in a unique environment where you can make a real difference in people’s lives.

Fixed

As a ‘fixed’ worker, you’ll spend most of your time in the same location, which will likely be a fixed office or location where your role is performed. Typically, you’ll be based in the same location as the rest of your team, because you provide a particular service from that fixed location or need access to information there.

 

About you

We are looking for a candidate with a strong background in library services, excellent organisational skills, and a passion for working with diverse populations. Experience in a prison or similar setting is a plus but not required. The ideal candidate will be adaptable, empathetic, and committed to promoting literacy and supporting personal development through access to information and reading.

Other information

For further details about this role, please refer to the attached job summary.  This is an on-site role based in the prison library at HMP Springhill.

Appointment is subject to enhanced DBS clearance and prison service vetting procedures.

If you would like to have an informal conversation with the recruiting manager, please contact: Katie de Joux, Culture and Outreach Services Manager

Closing date: Monday 28^th September 2026

Interview date: Thursday 1st October 2026

Interview-type / process: person

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).

For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance published by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Communities directorate works across the county to deliver a number of the key customer-facing services that our residents, businesses and visitors rely on every day. 

This directorate includes a wide range of services, including:

• collecting and disposing of waste and recycling
• maintaining our roads and Rights of Way network and parking
• ensuring the delivery of school transport, and supporting sustainable travel including public bus services and School Crossing Patrollers
• managing Country Parks
• leisure facilities, museums, theatres and libraries, as well as developing our Cultural Strategy
• Licensing, Environmental Health and Trading Standards
• Cemeteries and Crematoria

The customer is central to how we develop and deliver all of these services, which help promote our rich and vibrant culture and special environment. 

We are looking for enthusiastic, ambitious and committed individuals to join our team and help us to continue to make Buckinghamshire a great place to live, work and visit. This is an exciting time for us as we bring together the services previously run by five separate councils before Buckinghamshire Council was created. Whilst making major changes to contracts affecting residents across Bucks, we continue to focus on delivering great customer service. You will join us on our journey of continuous improvement - whether that’s through developing strategies and ways of working or delivering services on the ground, every person in Communities is a valued member of the team.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/