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Hertfordshire County Council

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.

Register your interest in library volunteering

What roles are available?

Home Library Service

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.

IT Champion

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.

Shelving and stock support

What will I be doing?

  • Shelving library books and other items.
  • Maintain library stock so it looks tidy and attractive. By ensuring that stock is organised into numerical and alphabetical order as well as per genre and format.
  • Using reports to identify stock that need to be moved to other libraries.
  • Unpacking new stock.
  • Keeping library displays of books topped up.
  • Creating displays to promote upcoming and seasonal activities and services.
  • Maintaining library leaflet racks and noticeboards.
  • Photocopying and maintaining paper supplies in photocopiers and printers.

 

What skills and qualities do I need?

  • An interest in books and library services.
  • Being able to shelve and display stock accurately according to library shelving sequences.
  • Following simple instructions about library stocks and administrative processes.
  • Using the library trolley to move stock around as well as being able to carry stock on to the trolley.
  • Understand any health and safety issues relating to the role.
  • Ability to work as part of a team.
  • Being punctual and reliable.

Community library volunteer

 

When you'll be needed

You will be working regular sessions which will be agreed with your library.

 

Locations

All libraries have volunteering opportunities, but not all roles are available in every library.

You can volunteer at your local library or help at other libraries.

 

Benefits of volunteering

  • Meet new people and work as part of a team.
  • Contribute to the local community.
  • Learn new skills.
  • Get training and support.
  • Improve your CV.
  • Get travel expenses (where agreed).

 

Opportunities at Hertfordshire Archives

Coronavirus

Our volunteering programme is suspended with the exception of the Community Archive Network volunteering which is now online.  You may also be interested in volunteering roles assisting those affected by coronavirus.

Archive conservation volunteer Community archive network content creatorCommunity archive network technical editorIndexing historical documents volunteer Listing historical documents volunteer Promotions volunteer for the archivesRemembrance exhibition volunteers (hertfordshireheroes.org)

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