Weather disruption
Winter weather is causing disruption to services in some parts of the county. Find out what services may be affected in your area.
We apologise but we have no vacancies available at our libraries at present. We will reopen our application form when more vacancies are available.
Volunteering at Dorset Council libraries
We welcome volunteers who wish to support their local library. We have volunteer sessions running at Crossways and Sturminster Newton and are seeking volunteers to support sessions at Beaminster (on Friday mornings), Shaftesbury (on Thursday mornings) and Swanage (on Saturday afternoons).
Please see the role descriptions for Volunteer Coordinator and Volunteers. Full induction and training are provided.
To apply for the volunteer positions at Beaminster, Shaftesbury or Swanage Library, or to find out about other opportunities at other libraries please email Dorset Libraries. We look forward to hearing from you.
Volunteering at Community Managed Libraries
Burton Bradstock, Charmouth, Chickerell, Colehill, Corfe Castle, Puddletown, Stalbridge and Wool Community Managed Libraries are run by volunteers. Please contact the library to find out what opportunities are available before you apply.
Volunteering opportunities with our partners
Some of the volunteers you see in libraries work for other organisations. Here are some ideas to get involved:
- Code Club helps children learn to code in a computer club at the library. You must be over 18 to apply, but there is no upper age limit. If you would like to apply as an adult volunteer, read the Code Club volunteer role description then go to the Code Club website and register online. You must complete the Code Club mandatory training before we can link you to one of our clubs.
- Royal Voluntary Service Home Library Service needs volunteers to deliver library books to housebound readers and help with book choices
- Digital Champions help adults get to grips with technology using the Adult Skills and Learning Superfast Dorset Digital Champion initiative
- Read Easy, working through community-based volunteer groups, offers a free, friendly, flexible approach to learning to read for any adult who either can't read at all, or who lacks confidence with reading. There are several groups in Dorset
- Dorset Reading Partners is a charity that recruits, trains and equips volunteer reading partners to support children with their reading development, working mostly with schools and occasionally with libraries