Volunteer in a Hertfordshire library and become part of your local library.
In 2019-20, over 1,800 people provided 77,000 volunteering hours.
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.
You will be helping children to complete Gadgeteers, the 2022 Summer Reading Challenge which runs from Saturday 9 July until Saturday 3 September.
We welcome volunteers from aged 14 and above. Parental permission is needed for volunteers aged 14-18.
The Summer Reading Challenge aims to encourage children and their families to visit their local library to take part in this fun, free activity, which also helps to address any ‘dip’ in literacy over the long summer holiday.
Children are asked to read six library books (or eAudiobooks/eBooks) and return to chat to us about their reading. They are given incentives during the challenge and are awarded a medal and certificate upon completion.
What will I be doing?
Main tasks and activities might include:
- registering children for the Summer Reading Challenge
- explaining the Challenge to children and their families
- listening to children and encouraging them to talk about the books and their reading
- encouraging children to complete the Challenge
- awarding stickers and other incentives when appropriate
- helping library staff to create Summer Reading Challenge displays
- creating social media content to promote the Challenge via library accounts
- helping children to choose their next read
- supporting library staff at Summer Reading Challenge events or activities.
What skills or experience do I need?
You do not need to have previous experience of volunteering or working in a library.
You will:
- be enthusiastic, caring and friendly with an interest in promoting reading for pleasure
- be reliable
- be comfortable communicating with different audiences, particularly children and their families
- have good listening skills and be able to encourage and engage the young people you meet
- be keen to support your local library to deliver an exciting and fun Summer Reading Challenge.
Training
- full Summer Reading Challenge training will be provided
- introduction to all library staff, including the Summer Reading Challenge Volunteer Coordinator.
How often do I need to volunteer?
Location and current availability
Abbots Langley
Baldock
Berkhamsted
Bishop Stortford
Borehamwood
Buntingford
Bushey
Cheshunt
Croxley Green
Harpenden
Hatfield
Hemel Hempstead
Hertford
Hitchin
Hoddesdon
Letchworth
Marshalswick
North Watford
Oakmere (Potters Bar)
Oxhey
Radlett
Rickmansworth
Royston
St Albans
Stevenage
Tring
Waltham Cross
Ware
Watford central
Welwyn Garden City
Woodhall
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
- Croxley Green
- Hoddesdon
- Oakmere (Potters Bar)
- Oxhey
- Radlett
- 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
- Bushey
- Croxley Green
- Harpenden
- Hatfield
- 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.