Volunteer librarian

Help out with the day to day running of a library.

This would include:

• You would offer a friendly welcome to all members of the community using the library
• Issue, renew and return items
• Help library users access books and other information 
• Help library users with other services e.g. public PCs or photocopying.
• Shelve items returned during the session
• Check to make sure all items on the shelves are in good condition, are in the correct sequence, and are attractively displayed
• Keep the library clean and tidy
• Make a note of any queries that cannot be dealt with and refer to the library Management.
• Help out with any groups/activities that happen in the library
• Make tea and coffee, wash up and keep the kitchen areas clean and tidy

About Wash Common Library (Friends of Wash Common Library)

Wash Common Library is a Community Library funded and run by The Friends of Wash Common Library. (Registered charity 1179703)

The Charity was set up in 2017 as a response to the threatened closure of the library by West Berkshire Council. After a campaign lasting nearly two years the Friends, with support from Newbury Town Council, re-opened the library as a Community library.

The library is separate from the West Berkshire Library service and is run entirely by volunteers.

It is currently open for 13 hours a week, but we hope to expand these hours and also offer a variety of activities and services to the local community.

We hope the library will become a Community Hub.

The charity is run by a Management Committee which meets every month and currently has eight trustees.

What skills do I need?

This opportunity would suit someone who enjoys meeting members of the public and is able to relate with those of all ages.

Someone who has the ability to communicate with people, enjoys conversations, as well as being happy to help as part of a team.

Some knowledge of books and reading would be useful, though not necessary. 

Being able to use a computer would be helpful, but not necessary, as someone without such skills can be paired with a more able computer user.

Our library can only open if we have two volunteers on duty at any time, so as long as one of the two is able to operate our library system, the other can assist in other ways.

When is this role available?

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Details

Time commitment: A volunteer is requested to commit to a 2-hour slot at any time, which will be carried out with another volunteer. The number of slots volunteered for is up to the volunteer and this can be discussed when the volunteer applies. Some volunteer on a regular weekly basis at the same time each week, some volunteer every other week and others monthly. It is very flexible.

Where does this role take place?