Who are we? Like other Branch Libraries in B&NES, Paulton Library is becoming a Volunteer–led Community Library in May under the management of Paulton Parish Council.

BUT – there all similarities end, because Paulton Library is special! We have been operating as a Community Hub together with an independently run café since 2013. We were a flagship initiative to use a combination of library staff and volunteers to enable our small library to open on six days a week, instead of the previous 2.5 days. Now, our happy band of volunteers are going it alone, but they need some help. We have to recruit additional Volunteers to fill the hours that were previously covered by the library staff.

A place for you? As a full member of LibrariesWest, we will continue to be your library, and already, our volunteers come from all over the area. Some cover a regular fortnightly shift and some are on our ‘Bank’ list and slot into vacant shifts as and when they are able. We have parents who do term-time only and those who are ‘seasonal’. We have had university students who cover holiday time, and other people who are looking for work experience to facilitate a return or entry to the world of paid employment.

Don’t worry, if you want to join us, we will do our best to find a made-to-measure niche for you.

Volunteering with a difference! You don’t have to be an avid reader, but you do have to like people, especially those at each end of the age spectrum. A working knowledge of computers and other tech equipment is helpful, but not essential. A willingness to learn will sort out any knowledge or skill gaps. You will not be alone! We also have a lovely professional Community Librarian, who will provide full training and tell you all you need to know.

What will you be doing? Together with a partner, you will be enrolling new library members, processing the borrowing and returning of books, as well as helping users access our public computers and the LibrariesWest website.

Volunteers have also been asked for all sorts of information, like the whereabouts of a family home (someone researching their family history), or the time of the next bus to Wells!

Paulton Hub is a wonderful example of the One Stop Shop. Finally, the best bit – fully trained volunteers get to wield the date stamp in every book before it is allowed off the premises. It doesn’t get better than that!

Are you just a bit intrigued? And want to know more? If you have a couple of hours to spare, want to keep our local library buzzing and would like to meet and make new P.A.L.s, then email: [email protected] and Kathleen Still will get back to you. You can also contact [email protected] for further information.

We look forward to meeting you. Look out for our Recruitment posters!

Kathleen Still