Volunteers help our library service to continue to develop activities and to support reading and learning. You can meet new people, learn new skills, gain confidence and give something back to the community, all in a friendly environment.
We will offer:
Flexible but regular opportunities
A variety of volunteering opportunities - something to suit everyone
A welcome and an introduction to the organisation and the volunteer role
Training, support and encouragement in the role
A chance to be part of a team
What we expect from volunteers:
Be available to lead a session at the times agreed and let us know if you are not going to be available
Maintain the standards of the library service, including health and safety, equal opportunities, data protection and confidentiality
Take part in any training needed
Be fair to others working in the library
Talk to a supervisor about any problems
How to volunteer
All our current opportunities are listed below with a link to a form for you to register your interest in volunteering.
What happens after I register my interest?
We'll ask you to complete an application form and you'll need to give us the names of two people we can contact for references.
If you'll be working with under 18s or vulnerable adults we'll also ask you to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
When we've received your application form we’ll have a discussion with you about the role. We'll talk to you about:
Your expectations
How we will support you
If this is the right role for you
If we agree that the role is suitable, we'll keep in touch while we get references and apply for the DBS check if necessary. If your skills or experience don't match the role, we'll try to suggest some other opportunities for you.
Finally we'll agree dates for training and induction and a start date.
Norfolk Library and Information Service run regular Bounce and Rhyme Time sessions. We are looking for volunteers with an interest in helping children to enjoy songs, stories and rhymes to help us on a regular basis. No experience is necessary, just enthusiasm and an enjoyment of singing and sharing stories with children.
Sessions normally last 30 minutes and may be followed by a Stay and Chat session.
The aim of the role is to deliver an interactive session which promotes reading and an enjoyment of books to early years children and their families.
Volunteers will help to prepare songs, stories and rhymes to share with children and their parents through an online platform called Zoom.
We will provide training to enable you to take on this role and work safely within the role.
We are looking for volunteers to lead an online code club or Micro:bit club for children. Experience of coding is not essential – the most important attribute is an enthusiasm for helping children build new coding skills. Volunteers without coding experience will be able to work through online materials in advance of sessions to develop their own skills. Each session normally lasts one hour and is delivered through Zoom to a small group of children. The sessions are always co-hosted by a member of library staff.
The sessions make use of Scratch, an intuitive programming language designed by the MIT Media Lab to promote coding to a very young audience. Materials and training are available at www.codeclub.org.uk
The micro:bit is a micro-computer designed by the BBC for use in computer science education in the UK. Micro:bits are available to borrow for free at all Norfolk Libraries. Materials and training for Micro:bits are available at microbit.org
Friends of the Library are groups of volunteers dedicated to enhancing the Norfolk Library and Information Service. As members of the Norfolk community, their mission is to engage with the community and raise money to fund specific projects or to equip our library with new materials, furniture or collections.
Donations to the Friends of the Library support the library’s vital role to the community and supplement the library’s books, music and film collections, programmes and services.
In becoming a Friend of the Library, we would like people to come up with creative ideas and events to fundraise for their library, and to give their local library feedback on their services.
We are looking for Digital Health Champions with an interest in promoting quality sources of health information and how to access them. A training package is available to support volunteers in how to deliver the sessions. Training is also available in using Zoom.
Norfolk Library and Information Service are looking for volunteers to offer support to job seekers within their local community. The role will involve:
Helping customers with basic IT queries such as form filling
Supporting customers with registering on the Universal Job Match website
Signposting customers to books and resources aimed at job seekers
Helping customers complete Learn My Way modules to improve their IT skills
Volunteers will need to have good communication skills and wish to support people who are currently unemployed. They will have confidence in working with a wide range of adults with different learning needs.
The sessions will be delivered online via Zoom and training is available to support volunteers in this role.
We are looking for volunteers to host a Just a Cuppa session online.
Each session normally lasts an hour. The sessions are aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation across Norfolk and support Norfolk County Council’s In Good Company campaign.
The Home Library Service provides delivery of library materials to members of
the community unable to visit the library due to age, disability or restricted
mobility.
If you would like to volunteer to help us deliver the service, contact the Home
Library Service on 01603 397998.
The RVS are always looking to recruit volunteers to support libraries across
Norfolk, but we are especially in need of volunteers in the following areas:
Swaffham, Thetford, Watton, King’s Lynn, Aylsham and Norwich's Plumstead Road
Library.
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Volunteering with Norfolk's Libraries - Drop in and Draw