Library Volunteer Newsletter - July 2021

Library Volunteer Newsletter header image.

Library Volunteer Newsletter - July 2021


Library customer newsletter banner

Dear Volunteer,

Our latest customer newsletter went out last week, confirming that all West Sussex libraries have now extended their opening hours back to a full, six-day offer. We hope that this will allow greater flexibility for visiting throughout the week and provides more opportunities to use physical library services as national restrictions are gradually lifted.

It has also been an exciting few weeks on the coast, as the new Worthing Library opened to the public on 22 June! If you’re not local or haven’t had the chance to visit yet, watch our video tour to see the building’s transformation from the comfort of your home.


Coloured hands graphic with the word Volunteer

Volunteer update

We are delighted that since the end of June, nearly 40 Community Library Support Volunteers have returned to our library buildings, supporting library staff and customers in our local communities. This is a really positive step forwards and we hope to welcome back the remaining volunteer team throughout August and September.

Following the Prime Minister's press conference on Monday 5 July, we now know that the next step of the national roadmap will move towards enabling people to make informed decisions on manging their individual risks and will include the easing of current restrictions. The final decision to move to Step 4 on 19 July won’t be taken until 12 July, after which we will await further detailed guidance before making decisions about exactly how these changes affect our library staff, customers, volunteers and overall library service.

Thank you as always for your patience and understanding and we will of course continue to keep you updated on any changes to our current procedures and how these might affect your volunteer role.

Christine Broggi – Principal Librarian


Wild World Heroes - Summer Reading Challenge 2021

Wild World Heroes Summer Reading Challenge banner

As the summer holidays are fast approaching, now is the ideal time for families to register for Wild World Heroes, the 2021 Summer Reading Challenge! 

Young adventurers can sign up today online at www.westsussex.gov.uk/src, and from tomorrow - Saturday 10 July - can head to their local library to collect a special goody bag containing fun activities, smelly stickers and other rewards.

The challenge is slightly different this year, but children still have all summer to read their chosen books and can return to the library from Monday 2 August to collect a gold medal and certificate.

Thank you to everyone who has already come forward to help staff prepare for the launch of this year's Summer Reading Challenge. We will still need help throughout the summer to support families to register and then receive their final rewards - can you help?

Please help us to promote the challenge by telling friends and family! If you are interested in volunteering for Wild World Heroes, or would like some more information, please email src@westsussex.gov.uk.


Would you like to be a Reading Friend?

Reading Friends logo

Reading Friends is a national project delivered by The Reading Agency, which aims to bring people together to read, share stories, meet new friends and have fun. We use reading – whether books, magazines, newspapers, or anything else – to start everyone chatting.

We are looking for library volunteers who might like to extend their volunteer role to help combat loneliness and isolation through the power of reading. The role would involve regular contact (normally weekly) with people over the phone to chat about books, reading and hobbies. You will be offered training, guidance and support to make these calls.

If you are interested in extending your volunteer role to help with this exciting new project, or would like to know more, please get in touch with Chris Broggi.


Keeping our workplaces safe

Hands, Face, Space logo

If you have recently returned to your volunteer role, you will know that we have lots of safety measures in place to help keep yourself, colleagues, customers and our workplaces safe from COVID-19. This includes completing an individual risk assessment before you come into the workplace to resume your volunteer role.  

Here are a few things you can also do to help:

  • Find out about symptom-free regular testing for COVID-19
  • Read the latest public information and advice on our website
  • Check the infection rates in your local area by visiting our data dashboard
  • Finally, remember that hands, face, space, and allowing fresh air in is still best practice.

Get Tested