Flexible Volunteer: Summer Reading Champion

About The Role

About The Role

Department

Libraries and Archives

Supervised by

LibrariesManager

Purpose

To assist in the delivery of Bexley Library Service's Summer Reading Challenge and related activities in libraries. To act as an ambassador for the Challenge and proactively encourage children and young people to sign up to the Challenge and read six books over the summer.

Volunteers will be asked for a minimum commitment of 15 hours.

Location / Time

All Bexley libraries (Monday to Saturday) for the duration of the Summer Reading Challenge (July to mid-September).

Tasks

• Act as an ambassador for the Library Service and be proactive about talking to children and young people inside the library, and actively encouraging them to join and complete the Summer Reading Challenge
• Talk to children and young people with interest and enthusiasm about the books they have read
• Give out incentives, such as medals and certificates as appropriate
• Complete accurate records as required
• Assist with associated promotional events in libraries during the summer

Skills and Experience

• A good general education
• Warm, polite and friendly manner
• Confidence to approach children and young people in the library to encourage them to join the Summer Reading Challenge
• Enthusiastic about encouraging children to explore reading for pleasure
• Reliable and dependable
• Good communication skills with children and young people and their parents/carers
• Commitment to equal opportunities and diversity
• Organised and able to keep accurate records

Offer to Volunteer

• Flexible volunteering opportunity - available over 6 days, including evenings
• Experience volunteering in a library setting and as part of a team
• Gain confidence in dealing with members of the public, especially children and young people
• Improve your customer care skills
• Receive a reference after an agreed period of volunteering
• Experience to show on your CV

Training

Volunteers will receive an induction to the library and appropriate training will be given. Volunteers in this role will need to be proactive, enthusiastic and able to carry out tasks independently but with guidance from staff.