Graduate Trainee (Library) - Fixed Term Contract

As a Graduate Trainee in the library, you will help to provide and support a range of reader services to a professional standard. At the same time, you will be obtaining experience and training in a wide variety of duties relevant to the profession generally, and to legal libraries specifically. As such, this post offers an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in a busy law library prior to embarking on a postgraduate course in Library and Information studies.

What we need:

The successful candidate will have a degree (or expected to graduate in 2025) and have an interest in a career in librarianship. Previous library experience is desirable, but by no means essential. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to use MS Office, and an ability to pick up new skills quickly will be essential. You should be comfortable working as part of a team and independently. Working in a library involves regular carrying of books and pushing trolleys, so you must be comfortable doing both. Full training in the use of legal and other information sources will be provided

The role is based at the Inner Temple Library.  The working hours are full-time, 35 hours per week and includes one 8pm Enquiry Point duty per week during legal terms and one in 4 Saturdays during term time. 

About us:

The Inner Temple is an unincorporated membership association which has existed since the 14th Century. The Inns of Court hold the exclusive right to Call students to practise law at the Bar of England and Wales. The Library is a legal reference library which supports the information and research requirements of barrister, student and judicial members of the four Inns of Court.  It is not open to the public.

What we offer:

The salary is £27,500 per annum, a generous non-contributory pension benefit, free lunches at work when the Inn’s kitchens are open, a taxed daily luncheon allowance provided when they are closed, season ticket loan or Cycle to Work scheme after passing probation and 25 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays and a discretionary closure period at Christmas.

Following successful completion of a probationary period, a two-year extension to the role may be available to enable the post-holder to complete a part-time postgraduate Library Studies Course from a UK-based CILIP-accredited Masters level programme. Course costs will by met in full by the Inner Temple and study time built into their working hours (approx. one day/week over two years). Application to and receipt of a place on an accredited Masters programme is the responsibility of the post-holder.

How to apply:

Download further information about the job and an application form (links below).  Then, please send your completed application form: recruitment@innertemple.org.uk by 22 May 2025.  We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applicants.

If candidates have any queries about the opportunity, please contact recruitment@innertemple.org.uk

Please note that applicants need to demonstrate they have the right to live and work in the UK.

If you have been shortlisted for interview, you will be informed by email. Regrettably, we are normally unable to acknowledge unsuccessful applicants. 

The Inn welcomes all applicants, especially those from under-represented groups to apply. Please also complete the equality monitoring form – link is below.