Volunteer coordinator

New Haw Library has been running as a Community Partnered Library for the past 12 years. When SCC took the decision that they could no longer fund library staff, it was agreed that they would continue to provide the premises and the books, but that staffing would be provided by volunteers. To do this, we set up a limited liability company which is also a registered charity – the New Haw Library Community Partnership - to run the library. New Haw is one of 10 CPLs in Surrey , all of which operate in slightly different ways. We keep in touch with our CPL colleagues to share knowledge and advice. 

The library is also a Community Hub and is used for a variety of local social, community and business events. 

This has worked very successfully over the past 12 years . We have a core team of around 40 volunteers to run the library on a day-to-day basis, governed through the Management Group and Trustees. 

The role 

Responsible for ensuring (with others) that the library has sufficient volunteers to remain open during agreed opening hours.-Ensuring the well-being of those volunteers and that we abide by SCC policies, for example in respect of health and safety, safeguarding and diversity, et cetera-Ensuring that for each session(morning or afternoon) there is a Team Leader in place and that holidays and other absences are covered.-ensuring that volunteers are adequately trained in accordance with SCC requirements using the SCC IT software.- Ensuring that any staffing issues are resolved promptly in discussion with the Chairman and Trustees as necessary.-Attending Management Group and other library meetings as required.-Responding to information requests from Surrey County Council-Working effectively with Duke of Edinburgh students, who wish to volunteer with us on a short-term basis – making sure they are occupied on useful tasks and gain experience in the environment. 

What skills do I need?

You will need to be empathetic and work effectively with a wide range of people - volunteers, SCC managers, and the public. You should be well organised and be able to think ahead to make sure that holidays and other absences are covered and that risks are managed. This is a really interesting voluntary post and you will be responsible for helping to maintain the library for the local community