Volunteer with us
Volunteering at State Library Victoria
State Library Victoria is dedicated to being recognised as the trusted and dynamic cultural custodian of the rich heritage of Victoria, ensuring access for all to better understand our past, inform our present and inspire our future – and you can help us achieve this goal by becoming a volunteer. You can read about the Library’s history and vision here.
Volunteers make an invaluable contribution to the Library by bringing unique skills, strengths, experiences and passion. By participating in our volunteer program, you can contribute to showcasing the collection, profiling expertise and maximising the use of our world-class spaces.
Volunteering is all about making a difference in the community, and it is a fantastic way to meet people and learn something new.
Our volunteers are ambassadors for the Library
At the Library, we strive to be welcoming, accessible and enriching to everyone. Our skilled and valued volunteers play a key part in how we make this happen. They make a positive difference and provide exceptional experiences for hundreds of visitors every day.
Volunteers commence as Greeters. They give visitors a warm welcome and help them find the way to Library spaces and exhibitions. They are confident communicators with people of all ages and backgrounds, providing visitor information and referring questions to appropriate Library staff.
Volunteers are an integral part of the Library team. They know and uphold the Library’s policies and procedures relevant to their role, including the Victorian Public Sector Code of Conduct. They participate in training and forums for sharing improvement ideas, and they learn how to maintain a healthy and safe workplace for all. The standard volunteer commitment is a three-hour shift each fortnight, usually scheduled in the morning or afternoon.
Some volunteers also branch out into a Guide role, leading tour groups through the Library’s exhibitions and marvelous heritage spaces. From time to time, volunteers can get involved in projects supporting the work of their Library colleagues or in engaging with visitors who come to our special events.
If you join our volunteer program, you'll bring a personal dimension to how visitors connect with the Library. You'll be supported to learn new things, and to draw on your own perspectives and experiences to make the role even more meaningful. You'll become part of our friendly and supportive volunteer community, and we’ll proudly recognise and celebrate your contributions.
Who can volunteer at State Library Victoria?
The Library welcomes and values the unique contributions of all people. We invite applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people and people of all abilities.
To apply for a volunteer role, prospective candidates must be:
- 18 years or older.
- Legally permitted to volunteer in Australia.
- Able to move safely and independently around Library spaces.
- Available to volunteer fortnightly for a three-hour shift, for at least six months.
- Willing to obtain a Working with Children Check before commencing.
- Willing to sign our Volunteer Agreement to commit to the values and policies of State Library Victoria before commencing.
Please email us at volunteer@slv.vic.gov.au if you have further queries about volunteering at the Library.
How to express your interest
Are you interested in volunteering with us? The first step is to tell us about yourself by completing a short online form. The form asks for some of your personal information. Here is our privacy policy with information about how we protect the personal information of individuals in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
We are excited to hear why you'd like to join Australia's oldest public library as a volunteer.