Library volunteer

1 Overview

We're looking for volunteers to get involved in a variety of different roles in West Sussex libraries. Involving volunteers helps us achieve our goals and also has a positive impact on our library service, our customers, the local community and on individuals.

Whatever time or skills you have, there is a role for you. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, learn new skills and contribute to your local community.

In return for your support, we can offer the following benefits:

• full training
• out of pocket expenses.

Some of the roles will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

2 Volunteering statement

West Sussex Library Service is committed to involving volunteers and provides a diverse range of volunteer roles to help us achieve our goals and reflect the needs of the service, individuals, customers and the local community.

Involving volunteers has a positive impact on our library service, our customers, the local community and individuals. Volunteers make a difference because they:

• bring a diversity which enriches the library service
• bring a range of additional qualities, skills and expertise, knowledge and personal experiences
• help us to expand and extend our services beyond the core service delivery
• work together with staff (and provide support) to help us achieve our goals
• offer a unique perspective on the library service and different ways to engage with customers
• bring local knowledge, represent local views and help us build relationships with the local community
• help promote a cohesive community
• help more people access our services and engage with hard to reach customers
• spend time with our customers in the local community, which can help reduce social isolation
• are passionate about our service and give up their time to help make our values real
• have a more active lifestyle and improved sense of wellbeing
• develop new skills and retain existing skills
• meet new people and make friends
• learn and experience new activities and challenges
• gain confidence, improved self-esteem and sense of satisfaction
• enhance skills and gain experience to increase future employment opportunities.

We aim to offer a positive volunteering experience for volunteers and library staff and are therefore committed to allocating appropriate resources to recruit, train, support and recognise our volunteers. Involving volunteers does not replace the specialised roles of library staff who deliver our core services.

3 Current vacancies

The following is a list of current library volunteer vacancies and links to role descriptions:

• Children's Library Services volunteers help deliver children’s activities in libraries, such as baby rhyme time, storytime and after school board games sessions.
• Community Library Support volunteers help members of the public and assist in library routines in one of our smaller community libraries.
• Digital volunteers help people learn the basics of using computers and the internet, either on a one-to-one basis or by assisting group classes.
• Duke of Edinburgh volunteer - West Sussex Library Service can provide opportunities to support the volunteering or skills sections of the DofE Award at Bronze or Silver level. Find more information about the West Sussex Library Service and the DofE Award.
• Home Library Direct volunteers visit people who cannot got to the library in their own homes or care homes, choosing, delivering and returning library items.
• Learn My Way volunteers help people to use the Learn My Way website and develop their digital skills at a weekly session held in the library.
• Melody for the Mind volunteers help run regular 'Melody for the Mind' sessions, singing songs and rhymes, to bring people with dementia and their carers together.
• Occasional/Events volunteers help with events, surveys, book sales and select books for care homes to collect. It could also include promoting and supporting the Library Service at local events.
• Reading Friends volunteer - Coordinating a group of people in a library to chat about books, reading, reading aloud or reminiscence.
• Reading Group volunteers run library-based reading groups or set up new reading groups in your area.
• Read On volunteers will engage and coach adult learners during one-to-one sessions using the ‘Yes we can read’ workbook.

4 Contact us or apply

Use the form below to apply online for a library volunteering post.

Contact us using the details below if you have any queries about library volunteering.