Volunteering Opportunities with the Libraries

Southend Borough Libraries currently work with volunteers from the local community to help deliver services in four main areas:

1. Bookstart

"Bookstart" is a national scheme which encourages parents to share books with their children from an early age. Volunteers meet parents of 8 month-old babies when they attend local health clinics for the child's developmental and hearing check. They chat to the parents about the benefits and fun of early book contact and, to reinforce the message, hand out a free pack containing among other things two Board books.

Qualities we are looking for include an enthusiasm for books, an ability to devote say half a day a fortnight and a desire to give the children of Southend a head start. For further information contact the Bookstart Team at Southend Central Library.

2. Home Library Service

Southend Libraries offers a free home delivery scheme, which takes the library service direct to people's homes.

Anyone who finds it difficult to visit libraries for whatever reason, can receive books in large and ordinary print, audio books, videos, DVD's and other library materials to suit their tastes and needs.

Fortnightly visits by trained volunteers ensure that 260 people across the town can continue to enjoy their library service. One such customer, an avid reader, who lost her sight in 1994. She says, "Not being able to see was the worst thing could have happened to me." Once her late husband was unable to select audio books for her, the Home Library Service stepped in and saved the day. Now she cannot imagine life without her tapes, especially those by her favourite authors such as Ellis Peters of Brother Cadfael fame. Another customer, believes the service helps prevent depression setting-in for many isolated people. She says, "If you are feeling low or sleeping badly, the night is the worst time and a book can often keep one going."

Home Library Service volunteers are quick to point out how enjoyable their visits are, with people always pleased to see them and view their half day a fortnight visits as a pleasant way of helping the community, and giving something back.

A few facts about volunteering:

• Volunteers with the Home Library Service visit people with disabilities, older people and Carers who cannot easily use their local library.
• Volunteers are teamed up in pairs and make fortnightly visits to customers in the same part of town.
• The service is organised by Library Community Services, who provide full training and support to library volunteers.
• Due to the physical nature of the service i.e. lifting boxes and books, volunteers should be able to cope with this aspect of the work.
• Volunteers use their own cars to deliver books etc. and Southend Borough Libraries pay a mileage allowance.

For a free factsheet and application form contact Library Community Services details can be found in our Related Services or you can use Minicom: 01702 600579, Email: librarycommunityteam@southend.gov.uk .

Home Library Service Volunteers

Unfortunately at this time we cannot accept any further volunteers for the Home Library Service.

However, if you are interested in other volunteering opportunities in Southend, please contact:

The Volunteer Centre Southend,
SAVS Centre,
29-31 Alexandra Street,
Southend-on-Sea
Essex
SS1 1BW

Telephone: 01702 356060
Email: vb@savs-southend.co.uk.
www.savs-southend.org/volunteering

3. Storyrhymes

Storyrhymes Volunteers are needed to make Southend a Storytelling Town. Do you enjoy sharing stories and rhymes with young children?
Can you lead or support our popular storyrhymes sessions at any of the seven Southend libraries?

Contact Bookstart Plus, Southend Library for more information.

4. Big Summer Read

Every year libraries in Southend run a reading activity during the six week school holiday.  It is designed to be a fun activity with a serious purpose...that of encouraging children to keep up their reading during the long summer break from school. 

Children are challenged to read a certain number of books in return for a series of rewards, ranging from stickers to certificates, from medals to vouchers and this has attracted around 3500 children to sign up during each of the past 3 years.

The role of the volunteer and other staff employed to support the activity is to listen to the children talk about the books they have read.  Good listening skills and a desire to encourage children to enjoy the reading experience are the qualities we are looking for.

For further information contact the Children's Team at Southend Library.