Volunteering with Cheshire East Libraries

There are a number of volunteering opportunities within the Library Service:

1. IT Buddy

There are still many people who have little or no experience of using computers. Their needs range from learning basic computer skills to building their confidence in using email and online services.

We are looking for volunteers to help learners on a one to one basis, possibly helping the same learner over a period of time or one-off sessions. Volunteers will be involved in the following:

Helping people with basic mouse and keyboard skills
Helping people to complete short online courses relevant to their skills and interests
Helping people to create an email account
Dealing with their general enquiries about using computers
Help with promotion and delivery of national campaigns such as Get Online Week

Volunteers need to be able to commit to at least 2 hours per week.

2. Library Events Assistant

Libraries hold various reader development activities from poetry and short story readings and author events to initiatives that encourage reading for pleasure. Most of these take place during library open hours and some are evening or weekend events. These events help us to meet our aims and objectives.

Volunteers can help us to hold more events by supporting library staff in a variety of ways. As a Library Events Assistant we would like you to be involved in any or all of the following:

Box office and promotion of events
Providing refreshments at events - including preparing and handing out refreshments, clearing up and taking donations if necessary
'On the night' help
Handing out and collecting evaluation sheets
Preparing flyers, tickets and any other event materials
Administration of adult reader development initiatives - may involve promotion, stamping loyalty cards, enrolling
Planning to introduce reading aloud groups in libraries - including drawing up a rota and finding readers

Volunteers need to be able to commit to being flexible as events are not held on a regular basis. There will be the opportunity to volunteer at more than one location for those who wish to.

3. Rhymetime Assistant

Libraries hold weekly rhymetime sessions for pre-school children and their parents or carers. These are very popular and we need volunteers to help library staff deliver them. As a Rhymetime Assistant you could help a member of library staff to deliver the sessions by:

Greeting families and helping them arrange their pushchairs, etc
Arranging the space beforehand and helping to clear away afterwards
Joining in with rhymes, songs and stories
Encouraging participation
Helping with any refreshments
Promoting books and the library service in general

See a list of when and where Rhymetimes take place on our Rhymetimes page.

We're looking for people who are friendly and approachable, reliable, well-organised and helpful, who can talk to people of all ages. A good singing voice is not essential but we do need confident and outgoing individuals. The role would suit someone experienced in working with families or young children, and parents of any age. Keen library users are welcome.

Volunteers need to be aged over 16 and able to commit to one hour each session. If you're interested please fill in the application form below or contact your local Cheshire East library.

3. Summer Reading Challenge Champions (summer holidays only)

The Summer Reading Challenge is an annual activity aimed at children aged 4 to 11 years. They are challenged to visit the library 4 times over the summer holidays and read at least 6 books. They collect stickers each time they visit and chart their progress on displays in the library. The library holds activities and events to encourage them to complete the challenge.

Summer Reading Challenge Champions help libraries by supporting library staff and helping children to get the most out of the challenge. Champions may be involved in any or all of the following:

Helping children to find and choose books
Listening to them talk about their books
Giving out stickers and filling in registration forms
Helping children to use the challenge website
Using activity sheets and other ideas to help children share their reading choices with their peers
Helping with events
Promotion and marketing
Visits to schools with library staff
Summer Reading Challenge award ceremony
Collecting data for evaluation

Volunteers need to be aged over 14 and able to commit to at least 25 hours over the summer. You can volunteer for this year's challenge between 1st and 31st May 2012. For information about the 2012 reading challenge, Story Lab, and how to volunteer visit our Summer Reading Challenge page.

4. Books on Wheels

Some libraries provide a Books on Wheels service to people who are unable to visit the library. The WRVS Co-ordinator organises the volunteers who deliver and, in some cases, select books for the clients. Please contact your local library for further details about becoming a Books on Wheels volunteer or visit our Books on Wheels page.

Interested in volunteering with Cheshire East Libraries?

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please fill in a volunteering application form (PDF 96KB) and return it to your nearest Cheshire East Library. To find out if your local library is looking for volunteers please contact them directly.

Volunteers will be selected through a short, informal interview. Induction sessions will be held with successful applicants and training will be provided as necessary.