Interested in volunteering?
You can get involved in our libraries and archives in various ways. Volunteers can support routine work or specific projects and activities.
Please complete our online expression of interest form.
If you have a volunteering idea, such as a concept for a new workshop, or a specific career skill that you’d like to share with your local community, you can speak to us about this by visiting your local library.
Volunteer for the Summer Reading Challenge 2024
Our libraries are looking for volunteers from age 13 onwards to help us deliver events and activities for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. If you fancy developing new skills while having fun, then look no further.
Apply in your local library or email your volunteer expression of interest form to [email protected]. Full training and materials will be provided.
Types of volunteering roles
Libraries and archives have a range of volunteering opportunities, including
- helping with library events, homework clubs, rhyme, story times, reading and conversation groups
- providing IT support, helping people with everything from setting up e-mail accounts to online form filling
- assisting with shelving, stock displays and tidying
- helping customers to find their way around the library
Westminster Reference Library has some specific opportunities for volunteers including:
- assisting at arts events or working on arts projects
- helping to move and tidy stock
- stock work, processing, cleaning, and repairing
Westminster Archives has volunteers involved in a wide range of projects, including:
- assisting with events
- conservation tasks
- helping with education projects and research
- indexing
Things you need to know
Is there an age limit?
- there is no upper age limit, the minimum age for volunteering is 16
Younger people aged 14 and over may be offered work experience placements when sponsored through a school or educational establishment. They can also volunteer in libraries as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. Throughout the UK summer months, younger people aged 14 to 25 are especially welcome as volunteers to help with the Summer Reading Challenge.
Feedback from our volunteers
Hear from our diverse team of volunteers, who bring their varied work and life experiences to our libraries.
You meet great people.
Gave me an insight into the hard work and dedication that working with historical materials requires…However, my favourite job – perhaps surprisingly – was book-processing, when I had the privilege of wielding the Westminster City Archives ink stamp!
Volunteering has taught me…patience, planning and being innovative. The rewards are many: meeting brilliant people and learning something new.
