The Guildford Institute

Make a difference and volunteer with a local education charity

The Guildford Institute’s mission is to provide an educational, cultural and social community hub in the heart of Guildford offering a special place for people of all backgrounds to meet, learn and explore. The termly programme includes a range of activities, such as courses, talks and events. 

The Institute values the enormous contribution made by volunteers now and in the past and continues to seek assistance from volunteers to aid the smooth running of the charity.

This particular role would be based in the Guildford Institute’s Historic Library & Archives, which has been in the same room since 1892. The library has floor-to-ceiling bookcases of modern fiction and non-fiction, historical volumes and Victorian periodicals.  The library is open Thursday and Saturdays for research and for Guildford Institute Members to borrow books.

Our eclectic Archive Collection is used by researchers in Guildford and across the world, helping investigations into family history, local events, changes in the environment and much more. Now almost fully digitised, these records are available to search online, making this an exceptional local history resource.

We are seeking a Library Volunteer, whose objective is to assist customers and process loans, as well as carry out outreach work (by email and in person) to enable other local organisations/community groups to learn more about what we have on offer and hire the Library space when unused. 

 
You will need to have an enthusiasm for helping people to find the information they are looking for and IT skills that mean you are comfortable using a computer. Ideally, you will be proactive and confident in talking to people and local groups.

We are looking for people that could volunteer on either a Thursday or a Saturday. 

Full training and familiarisation of the library and archives will be provided.

If you are interested or want to find out more please contact: