Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Milton Keynes City Libraries.

We are unable to hold volunteer information unless you are actively volunteering with us and would appreciate applications ONLY for the roles we are advertising and not general requests.

We are currently seeking:

• IT Buddy volunteer at Stony Stratford Library (monthly on Friday mornings - time to be agreed)
• Storytime volunteer at Kingston Library (Thursdays 9.50-10.50am)

Please note that the times shown include time before/after each club to set up and tidy away.

Apply to be a volunteer at one of the Milton Keynes libraries by completing the online form

If you prefer, you can download and print an application form and hand it to staff at any library.

The minimum age to volunteer with us is 13 years old (17 years for Code Club volunteers).

Any information provided by you in your application form will be held in the strictest confidence. If your application is unsuccessful or when you stop volunteering with us your information will be deleted. You can read the privacy statements for Milton Keynes City Council (MKCC) and MKCC libraries on the website. 

Volunteering

We welcome volunteers at all nine of our libraries.

There are many interesting opportunities for volunteers at Milton Keynes libraries and there's bound to be something that suits you. We have previously recruited for a variety of roles, including:

• Library shelver - to shelve library stock accurately and appropriately and help to keep the libraries tidy.
• IT buddies - to help our customers with basic computer skills and getting online.
• Home library service volunteers - to visit homebound library users with regular deliveries and collections.
• Duke of Edinburgh volunteers - a scheme for teenagers, nationally coordinated through schools. Information can be found on the official Duke of Edinburgh's Award website.

If you feel that you have any particular skills to offer MKCC libraries as a volunteer, we would love to hear about them.

You can read detailed role profiles on the Library volunteer roles web page.

Volunteers will be given training and guidance to provide high quality frontline services to library users. In return we're looking for a regular and reliable commitment from our volunteers.

We appreciate your interest in MKCC libraries and hope that you'll complete the online application form. You should hear from us about an interview within 2-4 weeks, but you can contact the library if you have any queries.

Milton Keynes City Council expects employees and volunteers to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of any child or adult using our services.

Any person responsible for or working with children or vulnerable adults (whether paid or unpaid) is considered both legally and morally, to owe them a duty of care. This includes behaving in a manner that doesn't threaten, harm or put people at risk from others. All employees working for or on behalf of the council must report any child or vulnerable adult protection or welfare concerns.

Duke of Edinburgh volunteers

We're always happy to provide Duke of Edinburgh placements if we can, but there are a limited number of spaces. Each library decides if they can accommodate you. You can contact any of the branch libraries in Milton Keynes directly to see if they are able to help you. They'll be able to tell you if they have any possible openings and dates. You can check the opening times and details of all our libraries here.

If you're interested in opportunities at Central Library, we are currently full for Spring term 2024.

We accept applications from around May 2024 for volunteers at all of our libraries for the Summer Reading Challenge - this can often be counted towards your Duke of Edinburgh award (subject to agreement with your school). Keep an eye on our website for further details.

Volunteer Strategy

This volunteer strategy describes the arrangement between Milton Keynes Libraries (MKL) and its volunteers. This policy sets out the minimum standards for recruitment, induction and the ongoing work of volunteers to ensure the expectations of both volunteer and MKL are met.

There are ten Milton Keynes City Council libraries and 92% of households live within two miles of a library. MKL aims to improve the quality of life for everyone who lives, works or studies in Milton Keynes, by providing safe and welcoming spaces. MKL aims to promote and support reading for pleasure and lifelong learning through a range of resources, activities and events.

Volunteer roles have been created to support these aims. The work of our volunteers helps to enhance and enrich the customer experience and to support, and not replace, paid staff in providing quality services. In line with current legislation both training and attendance is not mandatory for a volunteer role.

1. Recruitment

• Volunteer roles will be advertised on the library website, social media, posters and in response to personal enquiries.
• Applicants are asked to complete an application form and will be given information about the role.
• Volunteers meeting the required criteria will be invited for an interview.
• Acceptance is subject to two satisfactory references, and there is a 4-week trial period. If relevant to the post, DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks will be required.

2. Induction and Training

• Volunteers will be provided with an induction on the work of Milton Keynes Libraries, its staff, and the volunteer role.
• Volunteers will be asked to sign a Volunteer Agreement which outlines what is expected from volunteers and what they can expect from MKL. In commencing the role, the volunteer commits to delivering the key tasks as outlined in the relevant role description. This volunteer agreement is binding in honour only and there is no intention to create a contract of employment between MKL and its volunteers.

3. Supervision and Support

• Every volunteer will be assigned a named member of library staff who will meet with them at regular intervals to discuss their volunteering and any successes or problems arising.
• Supervising staff will explain the service standards expected and then encourage and support volunteers to achieve and maintain them.

4. Equality and Diversity

• MKL is committed to building a diverse organisation that is responsive to the needs of our community.
• MKL is committed to equal opportunities at all stages of volunteer recruitment.
• Short-listing, interviewing and selection of volunteers will always be carried out without regard to protected characteristics: age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; and sexual orientation.

5. Health and Safety

• Volunteers will be provided with adequate training in compliance with the library’s health and safety policy, a copy of which is available from the Volunteer Coordinator.

6. Insurance and Expenses

• The library service will provide adequate insurance to cover volunteers while they undertake approved and authorised voluntary tasks. However, volunteers will be responsible for ensuring adequate vehicle insurance cover for voluntary work if this is required by their insurer.
• Volunteers will be reimbursed expenses when applicable and agreed in advance.

7. Problems

• Any problems or difficulties volunteers may have while volunteering in the library service should be directed to the key staff contact or to the Volunteer Coordinator, who will aim to resolve the issues quickly and fairly.

8. Confidentiality

• Volunteers will be bound by the same requirements as paid staff to maintain the confidentiality of information within the organisation.

9. Leaving Milton Keynes Libraries

• Volunteers are free to cease volunteering with MKL at any time.
• Where possible it is helpful to give as much notice as possible.
• There may also be times when MKL will ask a volunteer to cease volunteering for various reasons.