Jobs at Libraries ACT

Working in a library is a rewarding experience best suited to people who love engaging with the community and have a strong customer focus. Libraries are busy and ever-changing environments, so employees need to be enthusiastic, proactive, innovative and committed. In return you will get a diverse and dynamic work environment.

Vacancies for permanent jobs with the library are advertised on the ACT Government Jobs website - look under the Transport Canberra and City Services tab in the drop-down search function.

For more information about a career in libraries, contact the Australian Library and Information Association.

Work experience

Work experience and vocational placements are a great opportunity for students to get a hands-on understanding of what is involved in delivering library services. We are pleased to be able to offer work experience placements to people currently completing library studies at a tertiary institution.

To find out more about work experience or to apply, email library.customerinfo@act.gov.au.

Volunteering

Find out what roles are available and apply to be a volunteer through the TCCS Volunteers Gateway.

Libraries ACT engages volunteers in a variety of roles to enhance and extend our services. Our volunteers contribute significant effort, support and commitment and make a real difference in our community. We are committed to ensuring that volunteers are engaged in accordance with definition of volunteering, the national principles and the standards of volunteering as set out by Volunteering Australia.

Libraries ACT does not engage volunteers in roles performed by paid staff. This is in keeping with ALIA Statement on voluntary work in library and information services.

For further information about volunteering with us, please see the TCCS Volunteer Handbook (PDF 3.1 MB).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a library volunteer?

You’ll need to create an account in the TCCS Volunteers Gateway to apply to be a volunteer with Libraries ACT.

The typical process for becoming a volunteer is:

• read the TCCS Volunteers Handbook to find out more information
• sign into the Volunteers Gateway to see what roles are available
• read the role description for any role you want to apply for
• apply through the TCCS Volunteers Gateway
• the coordinator will contact you and if suitable arrange an interview
• meet with the coordinator for an interview
• if successful, attend an induction to the role and branch where you will volunteer. We will ask you to sign a volunteer agreement and to provide information about yourself for our records.

At any point, you’re welcome to talk to the relevant program coordinator. You can do this through the Gateway, by calling 6205 9000 or emailing tccs.libraryvolunteers@act.gov.au.

How can I find out what roles are available?

You can find out about our volunteering roles through the TCCS Volunteers Gateway.

Please note that volunteers are recruited depending on need, and we may not have a suitable role available at the time you enquire. However, we are always happy to talk to you and will let you know what is available and which roles are expected to be available in the near future.

What kind of volunteer roles can I do?

Our volunteer roles are usually ongoing, people-focused and require specific skills. Typical roles include:

• Delivering items to customers of the Home Library Service;
• Facilitating an English conversation class;
• Project work with the ACT Heritage Library.

Each volunteer role has a role description. This includes the skills required, tasks of the role, the time commitment, and any eligibility requirements. The role description helps us find a good fit between you as a potential volunteer and our roles. Most volunteering roles at Libraries ACT require a Working with Vulnerable People Card which can be obtained through Access Canberra at no cost to the volunteer.

Please note that we don’t have volunteers performing tasks usually done by paid staff e.g. shelving, reference enquiries, regular Story Time.

What kind of support will I get as a volunteer?

You will be provided with training and materials needed to perform your role. This may include:

• a tour of the library branch and introductions to staff
• support from your role coordinator
• copies of relevant policies
• manual handling training
• access to photocopying and printing
• training and development specific to your role
• some volunteers are eligible for a limited (2 hour) parking permit for use when performing their role.
• If you require extra support, please ask your role coordinator and we will consider options for you.

Why do I need to interview for a volunteer role?

We want to make sure we find a good fit between our volunteers and the roles they perform. We also take safety very seriously and want to make sure that both our volunteers and any people they work with are safe. This is especially important as many of our volunteers work directly with members of the community.