British Library training placement

Closing date for applications: Monday 23rd June at 11.59pm

Training allowance: £1,662 (30 hours a week for 4 weeks)

Start date: August 2025

Working hours: 10am - 4pm

Duration: 4 weeks

Number of opportunities available: 5

A Learn More webinar with staff from Creative Access and the British Library is planned for this opportunity. Further details will be added to this page soon.

Are you curious about a career in the library and creative sector? The British Library will help you start your career story with this training placement.

Where else can you find Leonardo da Vinci rubbing shoulders with family recipes? Unearth the earliest world maps and this morning’s local news? Or listen to the call of a barking treefrog alongside the rallying cry of the Suffragettes?

Every day, The British Library's staff work hard to open up this vast collection for people to explore all over the UK and around the globe. They aim to employ passionate and forward-thinking people of all ages and experiences who can bring a fresh perspective to what they do.

What you can expect from the programme ...

The summer training placements are designed to provide a taster of the sector to uncover hidden roles and help you explore possible career options. You will be line managed by the Early Careers team who will create a programme of activities for you. You will manage your own time to attend talks alongside work tasks and group projects.

Learning times are flexible and will take place between Monday – Friday. Group learning and support activities will take place between 10am and 4pm. The programme takes part onsite at the British Library so that you can experience firsthand what it is like to work at the library and network with its staff. If you would like to work from home as part of your placement, please let us know and we can aim to work this into the schedule.

The British Library want this opportunity to be accessible to everyone from the above groups so a bursary will be paid fortnightly to those that participate.

Key activities

• Learn from the experienced Library staff and gain experience during placement
• Learn what the library and creative sector is and how The British Library fits into it through industry visits
• Learn about roles and career pathways in the library and creative sector through tours and career talks
• Develop skills in librarianship, engaging with audiences, supporting projects and many more
• Develop your problem solving and presentation skills by completing a project with your peers to bring The British Library to life
• Develop your CV, application and interview skills through CV and interview workshops

Who we are looking for

In recruiting for this role, Creative Access is looking for interest over experience; no related experience is required for this placement.

We are looking for people that are:

• Interested in The British Library and what they do
• Interested in working in the heritage, cultural and library sector in the future
• Have an understanding of how the Library engages a variety of audiences through its work
• Are keen to learn and reflect on their experiences
• Organised and can manage time effectively
• Competent in using a computer and have knowledge of MS Office or are happy to spend time developing these skills at the Library

To apply

• Log in to your Creative Access account or register today to apply for this opportunity
• Upload your CV and cover letter as one document (applications without a tailored cover letter will not be accepted)
• Once submitted, you can no longer amend your application, so proof-read carefully
• Do not contact the company directly
• Please email any queries about this role to Creative Access at this address: recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk

This opportunity is open to individuals from groups that are under-represented in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as Black, Asian, or from other ethnically diverse backgrounds, or people of any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: disabled people, people with the characteristic of gender reassignment and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

The successful candidate for this opportunity will also participate in a Creative Access support programme that sits alongside workplace training. This includes a programme of induction training, monthly masterclasses, wellbeing support, buddying / mentoring and more.