Library volunteer - Alex Whitelock

Alex Whitelock is one of around 130 dedicated volunteers who help with the running of the Royal Borough’s Library Service. He has volunteered since October 2021 for Maidenhead Library, taking care of two Home Library Service cluster locations – Fifield/Bray and Hurley.

1. Could you first please tell us a little something about yourself?

My name is Alex Whitelock and I live in Furze Platt, Maidenhead. I am retired and used to work for Waitrose as a delivery driver. I like books and obviously reading - science fiction is my favourite. I am also a house-husband so I do all the chores in the house, in particular a cherished teddie collection of about 400 hundred that requires individual dusting once a month. I enjoy self-learning, mostly in science, mathematics and also photography with a proper camera.

2. What’s involved in your role as a volunteer?

I take books out to housebound readers once every three weeks. The library team sorts out the books requested by readers, prepares them in bags, lets me know they are ready for collection on the allocated day. I come and collect them, I use my own car to get to the readers, visit the readers, have a chat with them at the door, and then bring their returned books back.

3. Why do you volunteer? What do you get from it personally?

I get a thrill out of doing something for another person that they cannot do themselves as they cannot get to the library on their for whatever reason.

4. What do you like most about volunteering?

I get to chat to other people who like reading books, because none of family read books.

Interested in volunteering for your local library?

The Library Service is always seeking further friendly volunteers to get involved and we are very grateful for the support. You will be able to volunteer flexibly so that it fits with other commitments while getting the satisfaction of meeting new people and making a difference. Visit Volunteering in the library | Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (rbwm.gov.uk)