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Original poster

Working patterns in public libraries

56 replies

Hello1290 · 09/01/2022 18:43

Can anyone explain how library working patterns are calculated.

From what I have seen there is a two week pattern so for example week 1 - Mon,Tues week 2 - Tue/Thur/Fri .

I'm curious as to why it works like this. Would it not be easier to have an employee work the same days and times each week. I'm not sure if this makes sense but if you work in a council run public library you may understand my question! I'm thinking of applying for a role which states work patterns to be discussed at interview.

OP posts:
MouseyMoose · 09/01/2022 18:52

I think it probably varies by council.

My Dsis works in a library and their hours differ slightly each week in that they all have one day where they only work it every other week. So my Dsis works every other Friday and every other Saturday but not in the same week if that makes sense? Other staff might work every other Wednesday, but other than than Dsis's days are the same each week (not sure about other staff).

There must be a reason for it but I don't know what!

MouseyMoose · 09/01/2022 18:54

As an example my Dsis works

Week 1 - Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri
Week 2 - Mon, Tues, Weds, Sat

Original poster
Hello1290 · 09/01/2022 19:01

Thanks Mousey yes those are the sorts of work patterns I have seen in the past and it seems a bit odd that they don't stick to the same days each week but I'm sure there must be a good reason !

Does your Dsis enjoy the work ?

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MyGreenTutu · 09/01/2022 19:02

Surely it just depends on what the working pattern is in your area?
I used to work 73 hours a fortnight in a London Borough public library: 9 days and four late evenings (until 7/8pm).
It was a four-day-week one week, five days incl Sat the next. The 10/11 hour shifts twice a week were pretty tiring but I loved having every Wednesday off as it really broke the week up.

Original poster
Hello1290 · 09/01/2022 19:15

Yes MyGreen it will depend on local areas but I was wondering about the rationale behind it because to me it seems more straightforward for employees to work the same days/hours each week but looking at the shift pattern you did I can see that maybe it's to account for longer working days.

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FrazzledY9Parent · 09/01/2022 19:18

I'd imagine too it's because libraries are open at the weekends and not many people would want to work every Saturday/Sunday.

Cattitudes · 09/01/2022 19:21

Maybe working Saturdays isn't popular so they share it out.

MouseyMoose · 09/01/2022 19:23

Yep I think in my Dsis case it's so she isn't working every Saturday/they all get a fair share of weekdays/weekends off.

There has been a lot of council cuts to libraries in my area (as I imagine is the case in lots of other places) so she says it isn't the same as it used to be but she still enjoys it Smile

Ringergodgers · 09/01/2022 19:26

Hi...I used to work for public libraries ft some years ago We did a 3 week pattern with one Saturday in 3 with a full day off that week...one late eve but Wednesday afternoon off. I have just got a pt job at different council its 4 afternoons plus every other Saturday.

I loved my first library job..it was at a large busy Central library....the work was quite varied..front desk work dealing with customers. Back office dealing with stock and deliveries.also helped with activities..book groups, baby rhyme time , craft activities. I hope my new job proves just as happy!

Original poster
Hello1290 · 09/01/2022 19:27

Ah - that all makes sense. Thanks everyone

OP posts:
Nevilleneville · 09/01/2022 19:30

It will likely be the same weekdays and every other sat

EvilEdna1 · 09/01/2022 19:31

I work in a library and asked this question. It seems in my area they had a massive restructure and redeployment and as part of that asked staff what patterns they wanted. One of the things staff wanted is not to be working the same days every week so that they only worked every other Saturday and only worked late every other week. The bigger question for me as a newish person is why nearly all staff are on these rotas instead of more full time but I didn't really get an answer. Lots seemed to based on tradition.

mugglenutmeg · 09/01/2022 20:05

I work for public libraries and our work pattern is like this..it doesn't make much sense but you get used to it.

Changing work patterns now would mean putting all those hours into the pot and then splitting them up in a more sensible manner - with new contracts for all staff etc. it would be a nightmare, getting staff members to agree to changing their days (when Barbara attends yoga every second Tuesday and Gillian looks after her grandchild on the second Thursday of each month etc Grin)

Good luck with your application, I absolutely love my job!

Original poster
Hello1290 · 09/01/2022 20:10

Maybe there was once a specific role for Saturday only - a bit like how it was in supermarkets when Saturday only jobs existed. Weekend working seems to be part of regular working patterns in a lot of industries now a days.
EvilEdna1 do you like working in a library ?

OP posts:
HunterHearstHelmsley · 09/01/2022 20:12

My mum works in this type of role.

Her hours are

Week 1 - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (half day)
Week 2 - Wednesday (half day), Thursday, Friday

She loves it as it means she effectively gets a week off every other week.

It probably wouldn't be practical for someone with children though. You'd probably have to pay full time childcare as it's unlikely they can offer different days each week.

Original poster
Hello1290 · 09/01/2022 20:12

muggle - that did make me laugh :)

Thank you and it's nice to hear you enjoy working in a library.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hello1290 · 09/01/2022 20:14

Hunter - that's a great working pattern but like you say it's not practical if you need childcare or have a commitment on a certain day each week.

OP posts:
EvilEdna1 · 09/01/2022 20:44

@Hello1290

Maybe there was once a specific role for Saturday only - a bit like how it was in supermarkets when Saturday only jobs existed. Weekend working seems to be part of regular working patterns in a lot of industries now a days. EvilEdna1 do you like working in a library ?
Yes I I am enjoying it. I came from a stressful job working in a busy office with irritating people and this is a relaxing breeze in comparison. Library does attract some complete oddballs though. Helps if you love books otherwise it would be a bit boring perhaps.
WoodenReindeer · 09/01/2022 20:48

I am thinking of applying for the library supply (or whatever it is called/bank?) staff this year round. I narrowly missed a local library job and was offered supply/bank but couldn't take it up due to childchare at the time.

I used to be a teacher so was trying to aim at higher paid jobs but I keep coming back to wanting to do this! I'd love the groups and people-bits. I am probably an oddball...

WoodenReindeer · 09/01/2022 20:49

The downside as far as I can see is no progression available?

Ringergodgers · 09/01/2022 21:03

@WoodenReindeer

The downside as far as I can see is no progression available?
This is generally true...library manager perhaps....a librarian needs a degree but public library work is not a growth industry
WoodenReindeer · 09/01/2022 21:17

Whereas with other local gov jobs there's often room to progress/training etc. Library work really is a dead end. I wish it wasn't!

tigerbear · 09/01/2022 21:22

@EvilEdna1 and @mugglenutmeg hope you don’t mind me asking (and sorry to OP for jumping on your thread), but I’ve just this evening found 5 library books in my DD’s room that should have been taken back in 2015, when she was only 5 😬😬!
If I took them back now, would they fine me massively? Other question, I’ve got over 50 kids story books in perfect condition (Dr Seuss, Paddington, Famous Five etc) - do libraries accept second hand books? Thanks in advance!

Ringergodgers · 09/01/2022 21:26

We used to accept donations but they do need to be in very good condition...as for the fine..I imagine by now they have been removed from the system, but library very forgiving!

tigerbear · 09/01/2022 21:30

Thanks @Ringergodgers
I’ll call them tomorrow and see what they say, on both accounts.