Essex Libraries offer a wide range of volunteer roles that enrich lives, build skills, and strengthen communities. Whether you love reading, tech, children’s activities, or supporting older adults, there’s a role here just for you. Click on the headings below to find out more about that role.
Home Library Service Delivery Volunteer
To deliver library items to Home Library Service customers in their own homes, sheltered housing or in care homes. These are customers unable to get to their local library and these deliveries enable them to continue to enjoy reading.
Where: Multiple libraries
Library Work Clubs
To support Jobseekers who need help in using IT to access and use online job seeking resources.
Where: Chelmsford Library
Computer Support Volunteer
You will be helping library customers who need some support to use either the computers in the library or their own devices connected through our free Wi-Fi service. This might be through regular sessions, or specific IT surgery events helping people get the most out of their own devices.
Where: Multiple libraries
Code Club Volunteer
Code Club creates resources aimed at children aged 9-11 for volunteers to use in weekly Code Clubs in their local area. You will be guiding or helping to guide groups of 10-15 children through projects (games, animations and websites) using material provided by Code Club.
Where: Manningtree and Fryerns Library
Baby & Toddler Rhyme Time Volunteer
These fun-packed rhyme and story sessions take place in libraries during school term-times. Everyone joins in with singing rhymes and doing the actions, and afterwards families stay to chat, join the library and to choose books to take home. As a volunteer at baby and toddler rhyme times, you will deliver rhyme sessions, and support the development of children by sharing your enjoyment of books and rhymes.
Where: Multiple libraries
Library Family & Local History Support Volunteer
An exciting opportunity to support people in finding out about their family history. You can become an important part of helping customers to discover their family stories. You will be supporting people who need help in using IT to access and use online Family history resources.
Where: Wickford and Great Wakering libraries
Memory Café Support Volunteer
Support monthly cafés for people with dementia and their carers—making tea, setting up, chatting and helping run gentle activities.
Where: Maldon, Dunmow, Harwich, West Clacton and South Woodham Ferrers libraries
Library Activity Supporter
Libraries run many occasional or regular events for which we need additional help. Events for adults may help to reduce loneliness and improve wellbeing. Activities for children aim to get them enthused about books.
Where: Multiple libraries
Everyone’s Literacy Volunteer
Support or lead literacy based sessions for customers. This could be through anything from guided reading sessions, phonics sessions, creative writing sessions, or any session that would support raising literacy standards in our customers.
Where: Multiple libraries.
Why Choose to Volunteer at Essex Libraries?
Community Connection – Build relationships across generations—children, seniors, families.
Skill Development – Grow in tech, communication, leadership or event support.
Low Commitment – Many roles are regular yet low-hour commitments—great for busy lives.
Professional & Friendly Support – Induction, role-specific training, support from staff and volunteers.
Rewarding Experience – Make a meaningful difference in someone’s day, week, or even life.
Each opportunity comes with induction, guidance, and ongoing support—ideal if you’re new to volunteering.
Volunteering with Essex Libraries brings communities together—one book, rhyme, code snippet, or conversation at a time. Whether delivering books to someone’s door, helping a child learn to code, or offering companionship at a Memory Café, your time can have a lasting impact.
Not only will you help others—you’ll gain new skills, ideas, and friendships. If you’re curious to try one role or several, that’s fantastic. Every bit of your time matters.
Explore roles at Volunteer Essex and start your library volunteering journey today—bring knowledge, joy and connection into your community.