Volunteering in your local library is a fantastic way to keep busy over the summer. You’ll have the opportunity to gain new skills and work experience for your CV, and you’ll have fun helping children to read more at the same time.

But don’t take our word for it! Find out what other young people have said about their volunteering experiences by watching our volunteering video

Okay… What exactly is the Summer Reading Challenge?

The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to read six books during the long summer holiday.

What will I be doing as a volunteer?

There are loads of different ways to help with the Challenge. Some of the things volunteers do include:

• Helping staff to run the Challenge
• Talking to children about the books they’ve been reading
• Creating exciting library displays
• Planning and running activities or craft sessions
• Planning and running celebration events for other volunteers

What will I get out of the experience?

• valuable work experience
• a reference for employment
• new friends
• the opportunity to develop confidence, social skills, employment opportunities and literacy skills
• the chance to make a positive contribution to your community

How do I know if it’s for me?

Here are just a few of the things that Reading Hackers have said about their volunteer experiences:

“I have felt much more involved in the local community. I am meeting more people and helping to organise the kind of event I wouldn’t know was happening two years ago. I feel I am part of something greater.”

“The more you do, the more confident you become.”

“The skills I’ve learnt could probably be put towards a job in the future”

“I struggle with anxiety so doing the volunteer program was going to be hard, but being a volunteer has helped me overcome my fears.”

“Doing this will help me when I go to college next year, as I want to work with children.”

“This is my fifth year volunteering and I love every second.”

How can I get involved?

The Summer Reading Challenge runs in most libraries, so just drop in to the one you want to volunteer in and ask if they have any opportunities for you to get involved this summer. Libraries start to recruit for the challenge from March, but some may have opportunities year round.

Join the Summer Volunteering 2018 hack to record your skills and volunteering hours and share what you’re doing with other young people across the UK.

@ReadingHackers on Twitter or Instagram.