Summer Reading Volunteer

Role Description – is this you?

We’re looking for enthusiastic and creative young people who are keen to listen and talk to children about their reading this summer and encourage them to take part and complete the Summer Reading Challenge.

The Summer Reading Challenge is a national reading initiative which challenges children to read six books of their choice over the summer holidays.

Children join the Challenge at their local library and are given a membership and record card. Each time they read a book they receive rewards such as stickers. Medals and certificates are awarded to children who complete the Challenge.

Last year 800,000 children took part across the UK with over 2,500 taking part in Southampton Libraries.

What does the role involve?

Talking with children about the books they have been reading, encouraging them to share their views and ideas
Helping children to find and choose new books
Handing out reading rewards
Assisting with administration e.g. registration filing, help filling in forms, collecting data for evaluation
Helping with Summer Activities
Helping children to use the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, Story Garden website
Encouraging children to progress and finish the challenge

We are looking for people who are

Aged between 14 and 24
Able to work accurately at pace, during busy times, and get on with tasks when it’s quieter
Enjoy talking to people of all ages, from toddlers to grandparents, and will confidently start a conversation
Have a favourite children’s book or author and can tell us why
Friendly and welcoming and are happy to greet people with a smile and a hello.
Happy to use your initiative but also listen to instructions carefully
If have you a special talent or outside interest that you could bring to the role – we would love to hear about it

Additional Information

We are looking for a commitment of one 2-hour session per week for a minimum of four weeks, morning or afternoons. For example - 10.30am-12.30pm or 1.30-3.30pm any week days or Saturdays between Saturday 5 July and Saturday 30 August 2025. We understand younger volunteers may not be available weekdays until Saturday 19 July 2025
If you are under 16 you will need the permission of your parent or guardian before you volunteer with us
You will be asked to attend a short, informal interview before you are accepted as a volunteer. If successful we will contact you about this
If you are successful in your application and you are aged 16 or over we will need you to complete a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check before you can start. Please don’t worry as a member of staff will be contacting you about this and will be able to help you with the required documentation
Successful candidates will have training arranged for them before the Summer Reading Challenge starts. You will be notified of when this will take place

What you will get from us

An opportunity to participate in library work, and help with events and library promotion
A quality work experience that can be used on your CV
Increase your confidence in talking to children and adults
An opportunity to make new friends
The chance to learn more about books and reading
An opportunity to become involved in your local community
You will be supported by library staff and receive training before you start. You’ll also receive a certificate for taking part

What we expect from you

To be punctual and reliable
To be proactive and positive in dealing with the children and their carers
To make the challenge fun and enjoyable for the children participating