Love books? Love community? We've got the perfect role for you!

For more information contact yarralibraries@yarracity.vic.gov.au otherwise get your online expression of interest form in HERE.

Yarra City Council is committed to being a child safe organisation and supports flexible and accessible working arrangements for all. We draw pride and strength from our diversity, remain open to new approaches and actively foster an inclusive workplace that celebrates the contribution made by all our people. Our values Accountability, Respect and Courage underpin how we work and our efforts to build a culture based on positive relationships with colleagues and the community.

Program overview

Street Libraries across the municipality serve as informal book-exchange hubs for the community. Yarra City Council contributes by periodically restocking these libraries with pre‑loved books that have been de‑commissioned from the Yarra Libraries collection.

Volunteers help sustain this program by collecting suitable titles from Fitzroy Library (or as assigned) and replenishing designated Street Libraries. While Yarra City Council does not own or maintain these libraries, our volunteers play an important role in activating and sustaining their utility and reporting any damage or maintenance needs to the relevant owners or contacts.

ROLE OBJECTIVE

To support community access to reading by reliably restocking designated Street Libraries with de‑commissioned Yarra Libraries materials, maintaining a tidy and inviting presentation, and promptly reporting any damage or maintenance issues to the library owners or nominated contacts.

KEY TASKS & REQUIREMENTS

Stock Collection & Preparation

• Collect pre‑selected, de‑commissioned library books from Fitzroy Library (or alternate library branches as required) at agreed times.
• Check items meet agreed selection guidelines (e.g., clean, intact, appropriate content).
• Pack books safely for transport (e.g., sturdy bags/boxes; managing weight to avoid injury).

Restocking & Presentation

• Travel to assigned Street Libraries within the City of Yarra (walking, cycling or preferred transport method).
• Replenish shelves with suitable books, noting some street libraries may have a ‘theme’ or be suitable for adult/children’s materials only)
• Arrange books neatly to ensure an inviting, accessible presentation.

Monitoring & Reporting

• Report damage or maintenance needs (e.g., broken door, water ingress, graffiti) to the library owners or nominated contacts.
• Log replenishment activity (date/time, location, number of items added, observations) using the agreed template or app.
• Flag any patterns (e.g., consistently overfull or frequently empty locations) to the Volunteer Supervisor.

Route Planning & Logistics

• Maintain punctuality and reliability for agreed schedules, noting work may be seasonal and subject to demand from street library owners and the availability of pre-loved materials.
• Safely manage manual handling (limit weight per bag/box; use trolleys where practical).

Safety & Compliance

• Follow Yarra Libraries’ induction, OHS practices and manual handling guidance.
• Wear any supplied identification (e.g., volunteer lanyard) while carrying out duties.
• Respect private property boundaries; Street Libraries may be hosted on private property.

Community Engagement

• Engage courteously with community members who show interest in the program.
• Provide general information about Yarra Libraries if prompted (e.g., how to join, branch locations) and refer queries beyond scope to library staff.

KEY ATTRIBUTES

• Reliability and ability to work independently.
• Good communication skills and attention to detail.
• Basic organisational skills (route planning, record‑keeping).
• Physical capacity to carry modest loads safely (with support tools e.g. trolleys if needed).

TRAINING & SUPPORT

• Induction session covering health and safety requirements, manual handling, program scope and boundaries.
• Access to the Volunteer Handbook, Code of Conduct, and Volunteer Agreement.
• Orientation to the Street Library network: locations, owners/contacts, reporting processes.
• Ongoing support from the Collections & Local History Librarian as role supervisor.

ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:                  Collections & Local History Librarian

Internal Liaisons:        All staff and volunteers

External Liaisons:       Members of the public

Partnering organisations (e.g. Neighbourhood Houses)

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We will provide you with a Volunteer Handbook, Code of Conduct and Volunteer Agreement. As part of the on-boarding process you will be required to sign to acknowledge that you agree with terms in the Volunteer Agreement.

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