Volunteer for libraries and archives

A group of Asian women sitting on a large bank of desks discussing ideas with one woman standing at the end of the desk writing the ideas on a flip-chart

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.

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.

Types of volunteering roles and opportunities

A woman and young girl playing with Lego.

Help with library events

Homework clubs
Rhyme
Story times
Reading and conversation groups

A male member of Library staff helping a mixed group of Library users on PC's

Provide IT support

Help people with everything from setting up email accounts to online form filling.

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Everything in order

Help with shelving, stock displays and tidying.
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A male member of libraries staff sitting with a woman at a computer helping her to find the information she is looking for.

Where is that book?

Help customers to find their way around the library.

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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.
Once you have been recruited, we will ask you to register yourself on the Better Impact website. We will ask you to use this system to log your hours.