Our volunteers are diverse and include people from all backgrounds who bring their unique experience, enthusiasm and knowledge to the role.
About Libraries Tasmania
Libraries Tasmania is comprised of the State Library and Archives of Tasmania, 46 public libraries, the Allport and Museum of Fine Arts and the Office of the State Archivist. We offer places of welcome and learning, connecting people with information, heritage, ideas, and each other. You can read more about Libraries Tasmania on the About us page.
Organisational values
- Connection: Building positive relationships and a sense of belonging.
- Courage: Accepting challenges and embracing opportunities.
- Growth: Aspiring to learn, and improving, even when it is tough.
- Respect: Caring for ourselves, each other, and our environment.
- Responsibility: Stepping up and doing what is right.
Safeguarding children and young people
Safeguarding children and young people is the responsibility of every person in the Department for Education, Children and Young People, including volunteers. Libraries Tasmania safeguards the rights of all children and young people to have an education, to be heard and to be kept safe from harm. We are working to ensure that all our learners are safe in every one of our libraries. You can read more about safeguarding children and young people on the Department’s website.
Volunteer policy (Libraries Tasmania)
The Libraries Tasmania Volunteer Policy can be read via our Policies page.
Pre-engagement checks
Volunteers need to have a Registration of Working with Vulnerable People before they can begin volunteering with us. Your local library can assist with this application. Volunteers must also take part in an induction which includes reading and signing the Volunteer Commitment Agreement and Safeguarding training.
Our volunteers
Volunteering opportunities with Libraries Tasmania vary depending on the services and programs offered at individual libraries.
Volunteers assist our clients through a variety of roles including:
Home Library Service courier
Key responsibilities
We provide a home library service for community members who are unable to attend the library to select their own items.
Home Library Service Couriers support this service by visiting clients in their homes to deliver and return bags of library items.
Volunteers work as part of a team of staff and volunteers, and participate in activities under the direction and guidance of the local Volunteer Coordinator, or other nominated staff members.
Skills, experience and attributes
We look for volunteer couriers who:
- are professional in their interactions with library staff and clients
- are willing to devote a set amount of time and work to a schedule
- have good communication and listening skills
- are patient, sensitive, flexible and enthusiastic, and enjoy social interaction
Role requirements
Volunteers must:
- have an understanding of the Tasmanian State Service Code of Conduct (State Service Act 2000) and our Service Commitment
- act in our best interests
In addition, you will need:
- a current Registration for Working with Vulnerable People
- a completed Volunteer Commitment Agreement
Potential benefits
Our volunteer couriers make a significant difference to members of the community. Helping clients stay connected and allow those not able to access our sites to still enjoy our collections. Many volunteers gain satisfaction by making a positive difference in their local community. They learn new skills and gain experience working with a large team. Our Volunteer Program offers a friendly environment, where volunteers work alongside, and are supported by paid staff to add value to our collections, services and programs.
Are you interested in becoming a Home Library service courier?
See what current volunteer opportunities are available.
Program and services support including digital and IT help
Key responsibilities
Program and services support volunteers are involved in various activities that enhance our programs and services. This may include, but is not limited to:
- information technology (IT) related programs and services
- client assistance, for example guiding customers with IT or researching family history
- children’s activities, for example supporting Rock and Rhyme and Storytime
- administration and organisation
- displays and events.
Volunteers work as part of a team of staff and volunteers and participate in activities under the direction and guidance of the local Volunteer Coordinator, or other nominated staff members.
Skills, experience and attributes
We look for program and services support volunteers who:
- have good communication, organisational and listening skills
- are flexible, enthusiastic and open to change
- are able to work independently
- are reliable, use good judgement and seek to improve their skills
- are willing to gain or develop their digital skills to perform some tasks.
Role requirements
- support our strategic goals and values
- have an understanding of the Tasmanian State Service Code of Conduct (State Service Act 2000) and our Service Commitment
- act in our best interests
Volunteers must:
In addition, you will need:
- a current Registration for Working with Vulnerable People
- a completed Volunteer Commitment Agreement
Potential benefits
Our volunteers make an invaluable contribution to our programs and services and enrich the lives of many. Our volunteer base is diverse and includes people from all backgrounds who bring their unique experience, enthusiasm and knowledge to the role. Many volunteers gain satisfaction by making a positive difference in their local community and learning new skills.
Are you interested in becoming a program and services support volunteer?
See what current volunteer opportunities are available.
Adult learning mentor
Key responsibilities
The objective of an adult learning mentor is to assist our clients to become skilled, confident and independent learners. In this role, you may undertake one or all of the following tasks:
- assist clients, either one to one or in small groups to:
- consider learning pathways and pathways to employment
- undertake a study course – including managing study requirements, assignment tasks and time
- develop computing skills and use digital technologies
- explore suitable learning approaches and strategies
- prepare learning activities that supports learner needs
- encourage independent learning and helping learners access our facilities and services
- facilitate community learning courses that we provide
Volunteers work as part of a team of staff and volunteers, and participate in activities under the direction and guidance of the local Volunteer Coordinator, Community Learning Coordinator, or other nominated staff members.
Skills, experience and attributes
We look for volunteer adult learning mentors who:
- are sensitive, patient, respectful and aware of different adult learner needs
- have good communication, organisational and listening skills
- can confidently and respectfully raise sensitive matters with learners and staff, and make referrals to other service providers as needed
- are enthusiastic, flexible and understanding
- understand the boundaries of the learner-mentor relationship
- have specific work skills and experience or training related to mentoring adult learners, and/or a willingness to undertake training
- education, training and/or work experience appropriate to specific content areas or fields of study
- good digital literacy (or computer) skills
Role requirements
Volunteers must:
- support our strategic goals and values
- have an understanding of the Tasmanian State Service Code of Conduct (State Service Act 2000) and our Service Commitment
- act in our best interests
In addition, you will need a:
- current Registration for Working with Vulnerable People
- completed Volunteer Commitment Agreement
Potential benefits
Our volunteers make an invaluable contribution to our programs and services and enrich the lives of many. Our volunteer base is diverse and includes people from all backgrounds who bring their unique experience, enthusiasm and knowledge to the role. Many volunteers gain satisfaction by making a positive difference in their local community and learning new skills.
Are you interested in becoming an adult learning mentor?
See what current volunteer opportunities are available.
State Library and Archives of Tasmania volunteer program
Volunteer online
Help us index our historical collections with Digivol, making them accessible online to a world-wide audience. You can do as much or as little as you like and at a time and place that suits you.
You do not need to register as a volunteer with us or register for working with vulnerable people.
Digivol
Digivol is a crowdsourcing platform developed by the Australian Museum in collaboration with the Atlas of Living Australia. Explore the available Libraries Tasmania’s projects. You can transcribe and index information from our unique Tasmanian collections so that we can make this information available for global use through our Tasmanian Names Index.
How do you get started with Digivol?
- Register an account with Digivol.
- Search “Libraries Tasmania” in the search bar
- Click on our current project. There are tutorials to help with each project.
- If Libraries Tasmania does not have an active project, explore the site for other projects to contribute to.
- Have fun!
Adult literacy tutors
Volunteers support the Adult Literacy Service as literacy and numeracy tutors for people wanting to develop their reading, writing and maths skills.
The Adult Literacy Service has a continual intake of volunteer tutors and applications to become a tutor are accepted throughout the year.
You can find out more and register your interest in becoming a volunteer literacy tutor by contacting your local library. You will find more information and library contact details on the Adult Literacy Service page.
Current volunteer opportunities
Contact us
- Contact or visit your local library and ask about volunteering opportunities.
- Phone Libraries Tasmania on 6165 5601 if you need further information.