Volunteer at the library

Home library service

Royal Voluntary service volunteers work in partnership with Edinburgh Libraries to provide library services to elderly, housebound or disabled readers. 

Volunteering opportunities come up all the time. Currently we are looking for volunteers for

• various locations across Edinburgh (could be from any library in the city). Relief cover volunteers for both Housebound deliveries (driving required) and Library Link services (no driving but must be able to go out on a minibus to collect people), to cover sickness and absence. Around 3 hours maximum per stint. This is a flexible role and will suit someone who cannot volunteer at a regular time or who goes away frequently, but would like to offer their time when available.

All our volunteer roles require a PVG certificate (Protection of Vulnerable Groups, provided by Disclosure Scotland, free of charge to volunteers).

You can apply for a role immediately via the Royal Voluntary Service website

For further information, please email or call Sarah, Home Library Service Manager, on sarah.tomlins@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk  07736 924099

Macmillan cancer information and support volunteers

We are looking for caring individuals who have a few hours a week to volunteer supporting people affected by cancer.

We run drop in services in selected libraries across Edinburgh.

Full training is given and expenses are payable. To find out more contact macmillan.libraries@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Digital volunteer

You could volunteer with our Get Online service delivering one to one support in one of our libraries or other community settings, to help people learn basic digital skills, such as  

• using the internet, email and everyday apps
• communicating with friends and family online through social media and video calls
• staying safe online
• transacting online - using council and government services and banking/shopping
• creating documents and taking and sharing photos.

Skills you need

The opportunity will suit you if you

• are passionate about the digital world
• can demonstrate your knowledge and experience in digital or new technologies
• want to help us to reach the digitally excluded in their communities by advocating the benefits of digital, and signposting people to free training and resources available online and across the city
• are enthusiastic, reliable and friendly
• enjoy meeting people and working in a team
• have a good level of English language skills.

For more details email getonline@edinburgh.gov.uk.