Volunteer

Description

WE HAVE LITERALLY & LITERARY SETTLED INTO OUR RESIDENCE AT PRINTWORKS DUBLIN CASTLE FOR OUR THIRD YEAR AND FROM THEIR OUR BOOK KINGDOM KEEPS ON SPREADING FROM CITY CENTRE & FARTHER AFIELD - we open our doors once again to welcome volunteers, book enthusiasts and festival goers back for a winters delight in literary & publishing treasure. Take a leaf out of our book and help celebrate the written, spoken, journeyed and drawn word around the city.

The 19th Dublin Book Festival (Nov 6 -10) relies on the dedication and generosity of volunteers supporting our events. We are grateful for the vital support of our many volunteers, without whom the Festival would not happen.

 

Is training provided?: Yes

Tasks that the volunteer(s) will be expected to undertake:

 Front of House
Volunteering for Front of House puts you at the forefront of the Festival experience. 2024 will see the Festival unfold across many new and exciting spaces and places; the venues are the hub of Festival activity and as many of our volunteers are Festival aficionados themselves, you get the opportunity to participate in and contribute to the dynamic atmosphere of an international festival. Front of House volunteering activities includes admissions, ushering and general venue operations (crowd liaising & information point of contact). As a rule, Front of House shifts are split into morning, afternoon and evening periods and may involve some early starts & late evenings.

 Hospitality
With so many events taking place in the same venue, over the days of the festival we may it our mission that we meet and greet not only the public but also all the artists as they arrive - we want them to feel right at home at the festival and we go that extra mile giving them that personal and personable welcome.  Volunteers in Hospitality will greet the guest speakers and authors on arrival and escort them to our Green Room - there they wil be looked after by volunteers until its time for their event.  Volunteers will also chaperone them to and from events, signings and receptions and at all times be an ambassador for the festival and the volunteer team

 Festival Family Hub & Printworks
The Heart of the Festival located in Dublin Castle- both venues are a readers paradise for all ages.  Along with your in house DBF Cafe and our mobile Gutter Bookshop, this place is a haven for reading enthusiasts.  Over the years we have receptions and launches, exhibitions from local colleges based on the world of literature as well as events for our younger bookworms - from Treasure Hunts, Drawing Classes, Creative Stations and the now infamous Book Doctor.  Due the amount of footfall and the numerous events taking place over the BIG WEEKEND the Festival Family Hub is open we ask that all volunteers take at least one shift here to help out with the demand.

 Event Photography & Social Media
Capturing every aspect of the festival that sprawls itself over numerous venues and sites is an almost impossible task in itself.  With this in mind, our photography and social media role are perfect for volunteers who have a keen eye and active interest in either or both of these digital conduits and as well as practical hands-on experience for those studying or making a career in digital or online media as well as marketing and communications.  For the avid insta-feeder, blogger, and photographer this weekend will be an adventurous and rewarding one.

Skills required for this role:

A MUST:

-A LOVE FOR THE ARTS

-A LOVE OF BOOKS

-AN INTEREST IN PUBLISHING

- CUSTOMER SERVICES SKILLS

 

DESIREABLE:

-INTEREST IN EVENTS MANAGEMENT

-TICKET SCANNING KNOWLEDGE

-VOLUNTEERED OR WORKED WITH THE VULNERABLE OR MINORS

-FLUENT ENGLISH

Details of time commitment needed for role:
Traditionally Shift Times are Morning (09:00 -14:00) Afternoon (13:00 - 18:00) and Evening ( 16:00 - 21:30) on the dates from Wednesday 6 Nov - Sunday 10 Nov Volunteers are only asked to take one shift per day as many days over the festival as they wish Shift times vary but will be no longer than 4-5hours We ask that the volunteers take a minimum of 3 shift over the festival On each shift you will have a venue supervisor to report to who will go through duties and roles on the day and who is there to support you at any stage

Minimum time commitment per week:
10 hour p/week

Additional screening required for this role:
After the selection process volunteers will receive their shift cards and an invite to our Open Mic Orientation Evening (online)- this will give them a chance to meet their fellow volunteering peers, get a more in depth overview of the festival and ask any questions they may have During their time on the festival they are supported by Venue Managers and Festival Staff as points of contact They will also have the opportunity at the end of the festival give their feedback of their experience so we can adapt and make it even better for future volunteers