Ever wondered how you would complete your studies without use of the internet? For students studying in prison this is a reality, making it practically impossible to study for Level 3 or Postgraduate qualifications. This is where you can help!
Join our team of volunteers and you could make a real and lasting positive impact on an individual trying to improve their life through study. Library Study Volunteers take research requests (Level 2 or above) from students in secure environments and help find journals, articles, and other relevant documents online.
Our warehouse then prints the resources you’ve found and posts them directly to the student. All you’ll need is access to the internet to carry out this role, allowing you to volunteer anywhere.
You will need to be a current student studying at Level 2 or 3 in order to apply for this role, as this will ensure you have the required Library research access which means you must be currently studying and registered as a student with access to library services to do thisrole
Language diversity is an important aspect of our community, and we aim to complete requests from students in a secure environment in their preferred language- we are particularly interested in applications from bilingual students.
Training
Please note you must attend and complete the role specific training sessions below in order that they occur:
Session 1:'Understanding Copyright' - You will be sent a link to a pre-recorded video that you must watch before attending two further online (live) and interactive training sessions.
Session 2:‘How to research anything & Q&A’ hosted by the Library staff.
Wednesday 6 September 2023 at 7:30-8:30pm
or
Tuesday 12 September 2023 at 12:30-1:30pm
Session 3: ‘The role of the Library Study Volunteer’ hosted by the OU Students Association and SISE team.
Tuesday 19th September 2023 at 7-8pm
This opportunity will close at 23:59 on Monday 21 August 2023
Benefits to self
Despite there being no direct contact with prisoners, our volunteers feel a great sense of pride and achievement in supporting students who study in prison and it is such a rewarding role.
Benefits to others
Since 2019, well over 400 requests have been fulfilled, and nearly 2,500 individual resources sent to students in prisons. This is a very important role, impacting those in secure environments.
Training available
Volunteers must complete:
Session 1:Pre-recorded Video.
Session 2:(Live online) Wed 6 September 2023 at 7.30-8.30pm or Tues 12 Sep 12:30-1:30pm
Session 3:(Live online) Tues 19 September 2023 7-8pm