Most libraries in Shropshire have both short and long term opportunities for people who wish to volunteer. If you are thinking about applying to become a library volunteer here is some background information and guidance. For instance, do you:
- Enjoy reading and talking about books?
- Like meeting and helping people?
- Know how to use computers?
- Have a passion for local history?
- Want some work experience in a library?
- Have some spare time?
By becoming a library volunteer you could help to improve and enhance the library service by sharing your skills and knowledge and in return you can benefit by meeting new people and learning more about the library and your community.
Here are some of the volunteering opportunities which are available:
The Home Library Service
As a volunteer you will help to choose and deliver books and other library materials to people who are unable to visit and use the library independently, whether through age, disability, illness or care commitments. If you would like to know more about this service then please follow the link on this page.
Computer support
There are many people who do not know how to use computers or who wish to improve their IT skills. If you can use computers confidently then you might like to consider sharing your skills and knowledge with other people by providing them with one to one help and support, either on a regular basis or as part of a short programme of themed sessions.
Local history
Local and family history is very popular in libraries. In some Shropshire libraries there are local history centres where there are groups of volunteers who support this work by helping with organising the collections, carrying out research on behalf of library customers and providing advice on researching family and local history. If this appeals to you then you can find out more by following the link to local history centres on this page.
Work with children and young people
Most libraries run storytime and rhymetime sessions and other creative activities during school holidays. Working as a volunteer supporting these sessions can be great fun and very rewarding. You can find out more about the range of library events and activities for children and young people by following the links on this page.
Work experience for students
If you want to know what it is like to work in a library then perhaps you could think about volunteering for a short period of time or for a specific project like the Summer Reading Challenge, the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme or as part of your school or college course.
Library Friends
Some libraries in Shropshire have Friends groups who support the service locally by helping to organise a range of activities and events, carrying out some specific library duties or tasks and by acting as library advocates in their communities. If you would like to know more please ask you local library if they have a Friends group.
Library reading groups
If you love reading and like talking about books then perhaps you could consider starting or helping with a library reading group? To find out more about how the library service supports reading groups and which libraries have regular meetings please follow the link on this page.
Recruitment and training
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer in any of these areas of work you can apply by completing the Volunteer registration form which is attached to this page, talking to the staff in your local library, or emailing the library service at the contact address on this page.
As most jobs in libraries involve working with a wide range of customers then, if you are aged over 16, you will be expected to have a Criminal Record Bureau check and this will be organised and paid for by Shropshire Council.
In addition to this you will receive training and guidance in issues relating to safeguarding, health and safety, equality and diversity, data protection and any other matters which are relevant to the area of voluntary work you may be doing.