Volunteer in a Hertfordshire library and become part of your local library.
We have a variety of volunteer roles in libraries.
We are grateful to everyone who has applied in recent months to become a library volunteer. Some libraries do not have availability at the moment. We are sorry if you have not been successful. Libraries with availability are listed with each role.
Hertfordshire libraries offer a range of Youth Volunteer roles for young people aged 14+. We can support Duke of Edinburgh volunteering and other accreditation schemes.
What will I be doing?
Here are some examples of the activities Youth Volunteers can get involved in:
- Assist at regular children's activities such as LEGO or Coding Clubs
- Help with library events and promotions.
- Service support, including shelving books, finding books for reservations etc.
- Create eye-catching displays to promote different aspects of the library
- Provide online content for our social media such as book reviews or short videos.
- Talk with children about books and helping them decide what to read next.
- Be available to listen to children read and help them to gain confidence.
- Register children for the Summer Reading Challenge, explaining how to take part, encouraging them to discuss what they’ve been reading, and giving out rewards.
- Advise on different aspects of library provision, from the type of stock we provide to the design of new buildings.
- Opportunities for young people to develop their own Youth Volunteer ideas in discussion with library staff.
Please be aware that places for some roles are limited and not all opportunities are available in every library.
What skills or experience do I need?
- Confidence to work in a customer focused environment.
- Willing to try new things.
- Interest in Libraries and reading.
What will I gain from being a Youth Volunteer?
- Increased confidence from trying something new.
- Experience working with children and families.
- Experience of helping to organise and run events.
- Experience in creating new opportunities related to reading and promoting reading.
- Named person to complete accreditation.
- Volunteering in your community makes you stand out from the crowd in college, university, or job applications.
Location and current availability
- Abbots Langley
- Baldock
- Berkhamsted
- Harpenden
- Hertford
- Marshalswick
- Letchworth
- Radlett
- Rickmansworth
- Royston
- St Albans
- Tring
You will be working in the community to help provide the library service to those who are otherwise unable to reach us.
What will I be doing?
- Selecting and issuing books from your local library.
- Matching books to customers’ requests.
- Arranging a time to visit your Home Library Service customer.
- Delivering a new selection of books to them and returning their previous items to the library.
- Chatting with the customer about books they have read or would like to read.
What skills or experience do I need?
- A Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) enhanced disclosure check is required.
- An interest in books and in delivering a library service within your local community.
- Good social skills, with discretion and sensitivity to customers' needs.
- A caring nature and ability to relate to a wide variety of people.
- Ability to work reliably within a team of library colleagues and volunteers.
- Ability to carry a bag of library books or talking books.
- Ability to travel between your local library and the customer's home.
Location - current availability
- Bishops Stortford
- Hoddesdon
- Oakmere (Potters Bar)
- Oxhey
- Radlett
- Stevenage
- Ware
- Watford Central
You will be helping people to improve their IT skills.
We have opportunities to support our CreatorSpaces in Watford, Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, Hatfield.
What will I be doing?
- Assisting people with IT on a one-to-one basis.
- Promoting health and safety using computers and browsing online.
- Provide support and guidance on IT problems.
- Promote the role of IT champion.
- Pass on any technical problems or information enquiries to library staff.
What skills or experience do I need?
- Basic IT skills:
- Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Browsing the internet
- Social networking
- Using a scanner
- Web-based email.
- Knowledge of internet safety and security.
- Good communication and social skills.
- Sensitivity and discretion to people’s needs.
Location - current availability
- Harpenden
- Hertford
- Hitchin
- Hoddesdon
- Letchworth
- Marshalswick
- Oakmere (Potters Bar)
- St Albans
- Stevenage
- Tring
- Ware
- Welwyn Garden City
You will be welcoming customers arriving for their UK Visa appointment, show them where to wait and direct them to the UK Visa area when required.
What will I be doing?
- Record customers’ correct appointment on the daily manifest
- Promote library services, whilst they wait for their appointment, including public toilet provision and café.
- Assist customers to use the designated library computer to print off their QR code
- Handing out the buzzers to UK Visa customers and take them to their appointments
- In quieter moments, help tidy library shelves (only in the Meet and Greet area)
- To signpost queries from members of the public to the appropriate member of staff
What skills or experience do I need?
- Friendly and welcoming
- Ability to follow simple instructions about processes
- Understanding of equality issues
- Understanding the role of the library within the community
- Ability to shelve accurately according to the library shelf sequences and in the correct area
- Ability to commit to a regular time each week, no more than two hours per day
Location
This role is only available in Hemel Hempstead Library.
You will be working regular sessions which will be agreed with your library.