About us:

Our volunteer-led community Library runs from The Place at Platt Lane, a valued community hub in the heart of Fallowfield that provides fun & essential activities & services to the local community.

With the dedication of a group of volunteers who were passionate about saving the library from closure and the support of Manchester City Council, we have transformed the library into a vital community asset and a sustainable enterprise. 

We became The Place at Platt Lane - A Community Outreach Library and Resource Centre in 2014 and have continued to develop our hub and the services we provide to the community.

What will you be doing as a volunteer?

Volunteer library assistants will be supported by experienced library staff and your duties will involve:

Greeting customers and talking to them about what the library and community hub has to offer. Assisting with any enquiries, both face-face and over the telephone, providing information and sign-posting them to the relevant services if required. A library manager is available at all times for guidance and support.

General Library duties, such as:

• Registering new members to the library and explaining to them how to use our self-service kiosk to borrow & return books.
• Helping customers locate the books they require both in the library and online.
• Reserving books for customers & showing them how they can do this online.
• Show members how to log on to our computers using their membership details and you will learn how to extend user times & reserve computers for users.
• Supporting customers with basic IT tasks, e.g. assisting with filling out forms online, setting up an email address, showing them how to conduct an internet search etc.
• Assisting with printing & photocopying services.
• Organising and tidying the books shelves in the required order (Author surname or Dewey - number order) You will be taught how to do this.
• Unpacking & sorting deliveries of new, reserved or returned books & putting them on the correct shelves.
• Displaying new books & creating displays to promote new stock and events.
• Keeping our notice boards and information area tidy and up to date by removing any out-of-date leaflets or information.

Keeping the library and meeting rooms tidy and presentable.

What are we looking for - About you/Skills required:

• This is a customer-facing role, and you will be the first point of contact for customers, so a good level of English, effective verbal communication skills and confidence when speaking to people are essential for this position. Customer service experience would be an advantage although not essential.
• Be friendly, well-mannered, approachable and helpful to anyone using the library/Community hub. Having an outgoing personality is beneficial in this role.
• Enjoy being around & helping people of all age groups.
• Good organisational skills. Confident with problem-solving and using your initiative.
• Good literacy & numeracy skills – an understanding of how to organise things in alphabetical or numerical order.
• Good IT skills are required for this role; you will be registering members and searching for resources using our Library management software and also handling PC requests using our computer booking system along with assisting with any IT enquiries.
• Can follow directions and can cope with the duties and responsibilities of this role, also knowing when to ask for help is important.
• It is important that you are reliable and punctual and can commit to your agreed shift times. Report any absence as soon as possible to the volunteer coordinator or Manager.
• It is important you are committed to the equality & diversity of the community – be non-judgemental and welcome all who come through our doors, treating people fairly and respectfully at all times.
• Have an interest in books, reading and libraries.
• Enjoy working in a team and are willing to support other activities that may be going on in the hub led by Manchester Libraries or The Place at Platt Lane during your shift.
• The role will involve carrying and moving library stock, and the reception is a standing desk only so you will need to be physically able to stand for 2-3 hours and able to move library resources.
• We ask that you commit to a minimum of 3 months to the volunteering role.

You must be over 18, due to staff limitations unfortunately we cannot take on young people.

Benefits for you:

• Our Community Library would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, if you are interested in contributing to your local community, making a difference in people’s lives and wish to gain new skills, meet new people or improve your confidence please get in touch.
• You will receive a full induction and Library training, guidance & support from experienced staff.
• Be part of a friendly and supportive team and have fun whilst gaining experience of working with the community.
• Meet new people and get involved with the community.
• Mandatory training such as GDPR, Safeguarding and Moving and Handling.
• Further access to a library of courses on our online academy for your personal development or interests.
• A reference for future employment - Subject to at least 3 months of satisfactory volunteering.

Travel expenses – A Day Rider bus pass is provided to those using public transport.

Things to consider:

• We ask that anyone applying for the position live within a reasonable distance to Fallowfield due funding limitations.
• The shift times listed are our designated community library times - it does not guarantee that all shifts are currently available, you can select your availability on the application form - we operate a waiting list for shifts that may not be free immediately. 

Please note: we do receive a high volume of applicants, we cannot promise to contact everyone. If you are contacted, you will be asked to complete our own application form & provide character references.

If you have any questions, please email tina@theplacefallowfield.co.uk