Self Service Opening Volunteer - Libraries

THIS IS AN UNPAID VOLUNTEER POSITION

About Barnet Council

Barnet is a borough with much to be proud of. Our excellent schools, vibrant town centres, vast green spaces and diverse communities all help make it a great place to live and work. As a council we want to build on these strengths as we move into the future. We are growing and developing as an organisation to meet the challenges facing our borough and we are committed to working with partner organisations and residents to make Barnet even better. 

As an organisation, our staff are committed to Our Values: Learning to Improve, Caring, Inclusive, Collaborate – which drive everything we do.

About Directorate

Our vision is focused on making Barnet an even better place to live for all families; at the heart our vision for Family Friendly Barnet is the concept of Resilient Families and Resilient Children.

Our ambition is to be the most Family Friendly Borough in London by 2024 by building resilience in our children, young people, families and communities.

About the role

Please read the Role Profile before applying

Self-Service Opening allows eligible library card holders to use our libraries during unstaffed opening hours. This service uses technology which allows us to keep the libraries open for longer.

The aim is:

• To provide fast efficient customer service


• To enable access to library services in unstaffed hours

This is a supporting role within libraries to:

• Meet and greet our customers in a welcoming manner


• Help people to find their way around the library


• Assist with any questions or enquiries customers may have


• Refer complex enquiries to library staff


• Ensure that the library is always an inviting space by shelving returned stock, tidying shelves, and refilling paper trays in the photocopier/printer


• Assist customers to log on to the public computers and Wi-Fi as required and to provide basic IT support


• Assist customers to locate stock on the library catalogue and to reserve items


• Explain to customers how to join the library and dealing with queries about Self Service Opening


• Promote library services and events and online resources


• Empty self-service machines and trolleys and to identify stock in need of attention to staff


• Help customers use Self-Service kiosks and library equipment. 

About you

• An outgoing and friendly personality. You should be able to communicate with a wide range of people of all ages, races, cultures and abilities.


• Be self-motivated and able to operate without direct supervision


• Patience to support people who are learning something new


• Able to remain calm when faced with difficult situations


• Good IT skills


• Good literacy and numeracy skills


• Keen to learn new skills


• An awareness of facilities and resources in a public library


• In this role you will be on your feet most of the time. The role includes some lifting: shelving stock on low and head height shelves and bending to empty self-service machines. Trolleys are used for shelving and are pushed around the library and to the relevant shelves/area. Shelves are usually no more than 6 feet high. Volunteers are expected to shelve stock and be reasonably fit to do this.


• A basic understanding of health and safety and an awareness of building hazards

Click on the apply button at the bottom of the page to progress your application. Please read through job role and complete the Barnet Libraries SSO Volunteer Application Form. The application will not progress, if the Barnet Libraries SSO Volunteer Application Form is not completed and returned.

If you would like any further information about the role before applying please email: [email protected]

For other volunteer vacancies, please see: 

Library volunteers | Barnet Council

Barnet Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Barnet operates stringent safer recruitment procedures.

To deliver Barnet Council’s commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. As such we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Read Barnet Councils Equality Statement for further information.

Barnet Council embraces all forms of flexible working (including part-time, compressed hours, and remote working) and is committed to offering employees a healthy work-life balance. Candidates are encouraged to talk about relevant requirements and preferences at interview. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking.