Volunteer for libraries and archives

Interested in volunteering?

You can get involved in a variety of ways at Kensington and Chelsea Libraries and Archives. Volunteers can support routine work or specific projects and activities by filling in an expression of interest form and handing in the completed form at your local library. 

You can get involved in a variety of ways at Kensington and Chelsea Libraries and Archives. Volunteers can support routine work or specific projects and activities by filling in an 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 & 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. Full training and materials provided.

Types of volunteering roles:

Helping with library events

• Homework clubs
• Under 5s activities such as rhyme and story time
• Reading and conversational groups
• Regular classes like English Speaking
• Special events like mini festivals

Providing IT Support

• Assisting with job searches and CVs
• Employability help as part of IT classes
• Helping people to set up email accounts
• Helping people with online form filling

Maintaining our spaces and being creative

• Creating book displays for special occassions or awareness weeks
• Shelving
• Tidying

Customer service

• Checking if a book is in stock
• Locating books
• Helping customers to find their way around the library
• Showing people how to use the self-service machines

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 (14+) 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 14-25 years old are especially welcome as volunteers, to help with the Summer Reading Challenge.

How do I get started? 

To express your interest in volunteering, please complete an expression of interest form and email [email protected] or ask at your local library. Our team will contact you if you are successful.