Library Apprentice / Specialist Customer Service Representative Review

I work within a library setting. My role involves a range of different activities that change on a day-to-day basis. This heavily includes stock work (organising shelves, handling books, withdrawing/reordering stock) but also other tasks such as organising children's crafts for holidays, leading children's storytimes, organising other events in the library, and having extensive use of a range of technologies in order for me to work to the best of my ability.

I found that my apprenticeship was incredibly well organised. I had a very supportive manager who provided me with the time off-counter to complete any coursework I had been set. I also had an incredibly supportive apprenticeship tutor who was available every day to answer any questions about my course.

I received loads of support from the library service. My manager was very supportive from the start, allotting time for me to complete my study in a quiet setting away from the front of house. She was also very amiable with any dates/times I needed to change my study. My manager also provided me with a range of experiences that I wouldn't ordinarily have been able to have in the role, which really helped with my work knowledge and coursework. She was also very informative whenever I needed help with things that were council related, and if she did not know the answer, she would be able to signpost me to someone who would know the answer.
I have also received support from the librarians within my service, as well as members of staff in libraries other than my own. I have found it to be the most supportive workplace I have ever worked in.

Again, I received a lot of support from my apprenticeship tutor. We had regular review meetings to make sure that I was up to date with the workload and that I was not struggling with any aspects of the course. My tutor was also very responsive to any emails and queries that I sent her, and was very knowledgeable in terms of any questions that I had. At no time did I feel that I was not supported in any way, or that I was falling behind with my work.

I feel that my qualification has helped me to perform better in my role because I gained a great deal of knowledge, some of which my fellow colleagues do not have. I feel that this knowledge has enabled me to do my job to the best of my ability and helped to deliver and excellent library service.

Yes

It is a very supportive employer who cares about their employees and are very community driven. There are plenty of benefits to working in the council, but they also care about both their employees, and the community that they support.