From one of our volunteers…..
“I have been a volunteer at Sprotbrough Library for eight years. After basic training I work one shift a week, usually around 2-3 hours. The most interesting part of volunteering in the library is that every day is different and you never know what you will be dealing with next.
If you are on the counter you will be issuing and returning books, stocking the shelves and sending and receiving books to other libraries.
You will also be dealing with enquiries from members of the public either at the counter or over the phone calls, finding books using an online catalogue or helping people use the public computers, scanner or photocopier.
You are never on your own as each shift has at least 2 volunteers on duty as a minimum, but more often than not there is 3-4 people on duty. As part of a shift team, somebody else will know or can find an answer if you get stuck. We call them Lead Volunteers and any volunteer can work towards being a Lead if they have or gain the skills and experience.
We will never know it all, and every day I add to my personal knowledge, which makes for a good shift. The chilled water dispenser and hot drinks facilities in the library make for a good tea break when there is a free moment too!”
Volunteers do not only work behind the counter – the library needs other volunteers to clean e.g. vacuum, wipe down surfaces, etc, also to do creative things such as make up displays in the library, keep notice boards tidy and up to date, help to organise regular activities or ad hoc events, or even to run their own social/hobby/interest groups.
We have recently had grant funding to develop a community garden so if you are interested in gardening this could be the place for you.
Not all volunteers do the same roles and tasks in the library. We welcome people who can spare as little as a couple of hours a week to as much as a few hours a day (whatever you can offer basically!) to do what suits them and the needs of the library.
It is important that we continue to recruit volunteers in order to keep the library open so your contribution will be much appreciated by the local community.
Whatever time, skill and experience someone has to offer then the library may well have use for it!
So what do you think? Why not drop into to talk to us about what you could offer or telephone 01302 782436, email info@sprotbroughlibrary.org.uk with your name and phone number and best day/time to call you for a chat.
