Time to Celebrate!  

Happy Volunteers' Week 2021

Volunteers' Week is an annual opportunity to recognise and thank volunteers. What better way to start the week than to confirm that we will soon be able to gradually welcome library volunteers back into our library buildings?

This will begin with the phased return of our Community Library Support Volunteers from the end of June, alongside a small team of volunteers who support specific library activities such as Reading Friends and Reminiscence Groups.

Throughout July/August we plan to pilot the return of some Digital Volunteers and there will also be the opportunity for others to get involved with the Summer Reading Challenge (see below).

Finally, from September onwards, we aim to welcome back the remaining volunteer team as we re-introduce some of our regular events (Baby Rhyme Time, Melody for the Mind, Board Games, Local Studies, Reading Groups etc.)

We'll be in touch soon

We will contact you all, over the next few weeks, to discuss the proposed timeline, how this effects your individual volunteer role and clarify the procedures in place to keep you all safe.

In the meantime, I would like to say a huge thank you for bearing with us during this difficult year, and for being such an amazing team. We look forward to speaking to you all very soon and please don't worry if you aren't yet ready to resume your volunteer role - we would still love to catch up for a chat!

Christine Broggi - Principal Librarian Volunteering

Don't forget to check Facebook WestSussexLibraries and Twitter for our special Volunteers' Week messages throughout the week. 

A Message from Russell Allen

Dear Library Volunteer,

This Volunteers’ Week I would like to say a big thank you to all our wonderful Library Volunteers!

The coronavirus pandemic has rightly raised the profile of volunteering and more people than ever are aware of the immense contribution being made every day by the UK’s volunteers. Throughout the year, our library volunteers have continued to make a big difference to people and their communities.

Volunteer Survey 2021

During March we conducted a volunteer survey with over 900 West Sussex County Council volunteers. There were 332 responses in total and we were thrilled that 111 of these were from Library Volunteers!

In our last newsletter, we promised to share some of the feedback from the Volunteer Survey. We hope you enjoy this short video which summarises what you told us.

We promise to look at all your comments in detail and, where possible, make changes, to continually improve our volunteer programme. 

Would you like to join the Wild World Heroes?

The Summer Reading Challenge (SRC) is a national, annual event to keep children reading during the summer holidays. This year’s SRC is called “Wild World Heroes”.

Children will join the heroes of Wilderville, and their trusted animal companions, who are ready to take action to save the natural world. All children who sign up for the SRC will receive a goody bag which includes a special wallet, stickers and activity sheets. Every child who completes the challenge by reading six books will receive a medal and a certificate.

Due to Covid-19, and the uncertainty around government restrictions, we are running a scaled-down version of this from previous years, while still encouraging families to come in and borrow books. But we need your help!

How can you help?

We are looking for volunteers to support staff with various tasks, including sorting invitations, preparing the goody bags, helping families to register and giving out medals and certificates.

If you are interested in volunteering for the SRC or would like some more information please email src@westsussex.gov.uk by Monday 14 June.

We would love you to get involved!