Prison Librarian

This role has a starting salary of £31,771.67 per annum, based on a 33 hour working week Pro Rata to £34,660 per annum for full time working.

We are excited to be looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated Prison Librarian to manage our library at HMP High Down. Surrey Libraries are responsible for four prison libraries in Surrey - HMP Coldingley, HMP Downview, HMP High Down and HMP Send. You will become part of this team sharing advice and ideas to ensure a comprehensive library service. Within HMP High Down Library you will manage a small team of three Prison Library Assistants and a team of Prisoner Orderlies.

Our aim within prison libraries is to provide an accessible service with a focus on expanding knowledge, finding pleasure in learning, developing crucial literacy skills, and enabling effective rehabilitation. It also promotes reading as a source of pleasure and provides prisoners with opportunities for wider cultural engagement. Equipping prisoners with reading skills allows them to embark on a path towards reintegration into society.

Our Offer to You

26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
(prorated for part time staff)
Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
A generous local government salary related pension
Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.About the Role

As the Prison Librarian, you will run a lively events and activities program, including book groups, writing groups, reading initiatives such as Reading Ahead and author events. As well as this, you will promote family reading by encouraging prisoners to record a story to send home, arranging workshops and involvement in family days.

You will be expected to work on your own using initiative, taking full responsibility for the library, including supervising the Prisoner Orderlies. In addition, you will work closely with the Education Department and partner agencies to provide an integrated Library service.

You will be expected to adhere to all prison security guidance and attend training as necessary. The role also includes heavy lifting and often requires being on your feet for long periods of time.

This is a challenging but highly rewarding role and enthusiasm for reading and learning is essential. Working independently, you will play a key role in encouraging prisoners to use the library effectively for educational, recreational, and legal purposes.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our :

Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to remain calm under pressure in a sometimes-volatile environment
Experience of supervising and mentoring
Ability to work using your own initiative as well as managing a team
A passion for reading and learning
Experience of using IT systems and data collectionTo apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:

What are your motivations for applying to be a Prison Librarian at Surrey County Council?
How would you approach creating a diverse and inclusive library collection that reflects the needs of the prison population?
How do you stay motivated and maintain a positive attitude in a demanding work environment?
What personal qualities do you think are essential for a Prison Librarian, and how do you embody these qualities? Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Please note an enhanced vetting process will be required for this role and will be undertaken by the Prison Service before the successful candidate can start and takes around eight weeks.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 01/10/2026 with interview dates to be confirmed.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation and will move to new authorities in April 2027. This role is currently employed by Surrey County Council and will remain so until then. If you are employed by Surrey County Council on 1 April 2027, your employment will transfer under TUPE arrangements to one of the new councils, with your current terms and conditions protected. The provisional allocation for this post is East Surrey Council, subject to final confirmation through the wider transition process later this year.

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs