Volunteer at JLF London at the British Library
JLF London celebrates its 11th year in June. Join our team as a volunteer & get a close-up of the world’s most dynamic literary show!
As a JLF London at the British Library volunteer, you will be an integral part of making these rich conversations happen.
Please explore the various roles available. Once you apply, we will be reaching out depending on the number of roles already filled and take this further.
Note: JLF London at the British Library will be held in London on 7th-9th June 2024 at the British Library. The British Library and Teamwork Arts cannot assist with travel arrangements, housing or visas. Anyone signing up to volunteer must reside in the UK or have a ticket already purchased and housing arrangements made to be able to volunteer at this event.
Roles:
Venue Manager
Venue Managers handle a venue each at the festival. Ensure all sessions start and end on time, coordinate with volunteers at their venues Book Signing area. Direct speakers through crowds where necessary, manage Q&A at the end of each session. You will be provided with a program brochure and announcement script that you should keep with you at all times.
Author Liaison
As an Author Liaison, you will be assigned to each of the three Festival venues to help ensure that authors' arrival and departure to the venue goes smoothly. You will be responsible to ensure that authors arrive at the venue 15 minutes before their session to meet their session moderator. You will be provided with a program brochure and announcement script that you should keep with you at all times.
Venue Usher and Assistance
Venue Ushers help to ensure that sessions run smoothly and are an enjoyable experience for all. You will help participants find seats, ask participants to register if they haven’t already, register guests if needed, and help to keep emergency access aisles clear. You will also monitor the doors if the program is full and inform people that we have reached capacity. You will assist the security team by watching for unwanted or anti-social behaviors. Between sessions, you manage venue clean up and preparation. You tidy up and align audience chairs where possible between sessions. You coordinate with the Author Liaison assigned to the venue to ensure authors arrive on time. You may be asked to accompany authors to the venue, to the book-signing area, or to the Authors Lounge upon request.
Green Room
One private space at the library will serve as the Author Lounge. Authors will be in and out of this space all day, store bags, grab snacks and have several meals. Author Lounge Monitors will ensure that authors are warmly welcomed and that the lounges are reserved for the authors and those with permission to enter. You will also help to keep drinks and snacks stocked, ensuring that authors are comfortable and refreshed.
Book Signing
Book Signing Volunteers will help the bookstore set up book signing, ensure authors arrive at the book signing tables, and communicate with the Venue Manager as to whether certain books are sold out. You will be stationed at the book signing locations and help to ensure that the book signing process is a calm, orderly, and enjoyable experience for all. You will help manage visitor lines and ensure that only those with books are in line, and limit the number of visitors requesting signatures if requested by the author. At least 30 minutes before each book signing, you will check with the bookshop that the author books are available in the book signing area.
Social Media
Social media volunteers will be required to cover sessions live, taking notes of quotes (on phone, tablet or by hand) and taking photos (cell phone, or professional camera preferred). Photos will be required to share with the Festival crew team on a real-time basis using email or whatsapp. Festival team will review the images for posting on Festival’s official (only) Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. Previous social media experience or photography experience is preferred. Attending orientation is required for this role.
Registration:
Author:
Volunteers would be required to take account of the Authors coming to check in from the list provided to them, hand them their badge, Festival bag and answer any queries the authors may have.
Guest Delegate:
Volunteers would be required to take account of the Guest Delegates coming to check in from the lists provided to them, hand them their badge, and answer any queries the Guest Delegates may have.
Press:
Volunteers are required to take account of the Press checking in from the lists provided to them, hand them their badge, and answer any queries.