EXCITING NEW BOOK CONSERVATION PROJECT in the GLA

MCC, Lord's Cricket Ground, London NW8

We are looking for 8 volunteers for an interesting new Book Conservation project for the MCC in their Library at Lord’s Cricket Ground. The task involves cleaning books and doing minor repairs.  There will be 2 groups of 4 volunteers each working on a Thursday once a fortnight from 10.30 to 4.00pm with a break for lunch.  This timetable has to be flexible as there will be some days (ie match days) when we shall not be able to work there.. Tea and coffee will be provided but not in the work space.

All volunteers will be trained by our book conservator, Caroline Bendix.  All volunteers wishing to work on this project must attend the training (even if they have worked on other Arts Society book projects before) as this training is specifically for the MCC library.  It would be preferable if you were fairly manually dexterous as some of the repairs may involve a needle.

The training will take place at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Thursday, 2nd May starting at 10.30am and finishing at 4.00pm.

Lord's is a short walk from Baker Street underground and so easy to find.

Would you please contact Elaine Hill on      elaine.hill7@btinternet.com 

for the chance to work on such an interesting project.

The Arts Society Heritage Volunteers help to conserve our heritage by working with a variety of different museums, libraries, historic houses and gardens, large and small. Volunteers contribute in non-specialist but vital ways by caring for collections, recording documents, guiding and stewarding, helping to maintain accessibility for all. Appropriate training is given by professionals.

Arts Society Highgate volunteers are currently working on book conservation in major national museums - Tate Britain and the National Portrait Gallery - as well as smaller institutions such as The Royal Society of Medicine and Quaker House. Others are involved in stewarding and interpretation both at permanent collections such as that of the Household Cavalry Museum and for temporary exhibitions at Lambeth Palace and recently Two Temple Place.

Becoming a Heritage Volunteer offers the opportunity to learn new skills, have direct access to historic items, and to join a friendly group of like-minded people working alongside dedicated professionals. It is both a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

Recent new opportunities include:

Design Museum, Commonwealth Institute, Kensington High Street, Kensington

The Design Museum has just opened in its new premises. They are looking for volunteers for four different roles:  Welcomer, delivering excellent customer service;  Guide, leading guided tours of the Museum;  Library Volunteer assisting with Library work; and Family activity Volunteer.  Training will be given for each one.

Handel House Museum, now Handel and Hendrix in London, 25 Brook Street, London W1K 4HB

Handel House is a small and beautiful museum in central London.  All volunteers help with gallery attendant duty and there are opportunities to become involved in a range of activities, including reception duty, shop assistant, assisting with events and weekly concerts, tour guiding and delivering Saturday Talks.

Linley Sambourne House, 18 Stafford Terrace W8.

This house was the home of Punch cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne, his family and their servants.  Their late Victorian family home is preserved almost entirely intact, giving a memorable insight into the lives of the Sambournes and the world in which they lived.  Volunteer Room guides are needed from 1.45 to 5.30 on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Sir John Soane Museum, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A 3BP

This compact and fascinating museum which was left to the nation by Sir John Soane, (1753 – 1837) requires room guides and stewards to work alongside experienced members of the museum staff assisting them with visitors. As a guide, you will help to bring the rooms alive for the visitors.  Training will be given.  Royal Institute of British Architecture, 66 Portland Place, London W1B 1AD

British Architectural Library - The Robert Elwall Photographs Collection

Volunteers are required, ideally with a strong interest in or knowledge of architecture, and basic computer skills, to sort, organise, list and catalogue photographic material. You will have access to the library and staff canteen and receive discounts in the RIBA cafes and bookshop.

The Wiener Holocaust Library, Russell Square

The Wiener Holocaust Library in Russell Square is looking for 5 volunteers to help to prepare documents in their 20th Century archive for digitisation. The library would like the project to take place on a Tuesday, working from 10.30 to 1.00pm Training will be given by the Head of Collections. This library is situated in a beautiful, light and airy Georgian building close to Russell Square underground station and volunteers working on this project will have free access to talks, films and conferences plus tea, coffee and biscuits at the library. Would all those interested in working on this project please contact me at either rosalie.gowlland@gmail.com or telephone me on 01380 859186 giving me your telephone number and email address.

For these and information on many other projects please contact Christine Money Heritage Volunteer Coordinator, on christinemoney0@gmail.com