Volunteering with Southend libraries

Volunteer library assistant

Our libraries are unable to run without the support of our volunteers so your help is vital.

You can offer to volunteer at any of the following libraries:

  • Kent Elms
  • Leigh
  • Shoeburyness
  • Southchurch
  • Westcliff

As a library assistant you will be supporting people to use our libraries. Some of the jobs you will be doing include:

  • issuing books
  • returning books back to the shelves
  • helping with basic enquiries
  • offering IT support
  • help prepare displays
  • maintain the appearance of the library

As a volunteer you will meet new people, pass on your love of reading and enthusiasm for authors, books.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at one of our libraries, or for more information, please contact our Volunteer Support Team.

Contact details

Email - libraryvolunteers@southend.gov.uk

Tel No. 01702 534887

Home library service volunteer

The home library service offers a delivery service to customers who are unable to visit their local library or have no one who can visit one on their behalf. This allows customers to keep up their love for reading.

Our volunteers visit the library and collect a selection of reading materials, audio books, and CDs in the customers chosen genre. These have been chosen by the library staff based on the customers' preferences. They then deliver these, once every four weeks, with a friendly face and a smile.

As a volunteer you will meet new people on your route; pass on your love of reading and enthusiasm for authors, books and genres; becoming a vital link in the community for those less able and bring a smile to their faces.

We are looking for drivers who are willing, and insured, to use their car to make deliveries. Volunteer routes are available from the following libraries:

  • The Forum
  • Kent Elms
  • Leigh
  • Shoeburyness
  • Southchurch
  • Westcliff

Our customers are waiting for a visit to brighten their day and to bring them new adventures to their door.

This opportunity will require an enhanced DBS check, which the Council will carry out if your application is successful.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or require more information about the Home Library Service, then please contact our Community Devleopment Officers.

Contact details

Community Development Officers e-mail - librarydevelopment@southend.gov.uk

Tel No. 01702 534123

Bookstart and Storyrhymes

Bookstart is a national scheme which encourages parents and carers to share stories and rhymes with their children from birth.

Storyrhymes are weekly half-hour sessions of stories and nursery rhymes for children under 5 years old and their mums, dads, grandparents and carers. These sessions are held at branch libraries across the borough and are mainly run by volunteers.

We are looking for volunteers with an enthusiasm for sharing books and nursery rhymes and with a desire to give children in Southend a great start in life.

We have two volunteering roles Storyrhyme Leader or Storyrhyme Helper.

For more information or to find out if there are any current vacancies please e-mail bookstart@southend.gov.uk or telephone 01702 212120.

Contact a library

Telephone: 01702 215011

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