The purpose of the Children's Library Service volunteer role is to assist West Sussex Library Service to deliver a range of service to children and their parents and carers. This includes Baby Rhyme Time sessions, homework clubs or helping children to develop as readers by discussing books with them and helping them to choose items.
The role requires:
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- the ability to demonstrate patience and understanding
- good organisational skills
- good literacy and numeracy skills
- being comfortable using IT
The ideal volunteer will:
- have experience of working with children
- be interested in books and reading
- enjoy finding out information
- be aged 16 or above (some occasional roles may be suitable for those aged 14 and above as part of the Summer Reading Challenge or Duke of Edinburgh)
Your duties will be to:
- support library staff in delivering weekly sessions such as Baby Rhyme Time or Toddler Time to under fives and their parents or carers
- support library staff in delivering a weekly Storytime session to children and their parents or carers
- encourage families to become regular library users by helping to promote the Library Stars Loyalty Scheme
- help children with homework enquiries after school using a range of non-fiction and online resources
- help staff prepare for and deliver events during schools holidays and after school clubs such as Bookworms and games clubs
- help staff to clean and check all returned non-book items such as toy library items and communication devices
- help maintain an exciting, vibrant and tidy children's library including work on displays, maintaining stock presentation and bringing staff attention to stock that is in a poor condition
- undertake any relevant training for the role
Time required
All libraries run at least one weekly session for children so this could be weekly, fortnightly or monthly depending on need. Volunteering opportunities are dependent upon demand in individual libraries.
Guidance and support
Most sessions will be run with support staff in libraries, or staff will be available to deal with queries. All library volunteers are given a local contact who can provide additional support and information.
Training and equipment
Children's Library Service's volunteers receive induction training, including health and safety. On-the-job training will be provided by experienced library staff and additional training is organised periodically as required.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
This role does not require a DBS check.
References
One reference will be required before you are accepted for the role. This must be someone who has known you in a personal, work or voluntary capacity for at least three years.
Other information
All volunteers must sign a volunteer agreement. You may be required to carry out a practical exercise relevant to the role before starting.
Volunteers are required to wear a lanyard and volunteer photo ID badge while in the library. You must also sign the attendance sheet on arrival and departure.
All volunteers are encouraged to become a member of West Sussex Library Service and subscribe to the Volunteer eNewsletter. This will help you to keep up to date with your role and the latest library news.