Location Glasgow
This is a temporary, part time vacancy that will close in 12 days at 23:59 BST.
The Vacancy
National Library of Scotland are offering an exciting opportunity for volunteers to help support our work with moving image and sound collections, specifically with broadcast television and radio archives.
We have an opportunity for 6 volunteers to work with the Library for 12 weeks, (likely from the week commencing 21 September 2026) with an expected commitment of 10-20 days total per volunteer. It’s a rare chance to experience hands-on archival work alongside our team who look after our moving image and sound collections.
The main tasks to be undertaken include:
Inventory listing, sorting and assessment of various collections that require processing before being made available to the public. This includes
Sound collections from private record collections, recording studios and broadcasters covering music, interviews and ornithology. It also includes film and video from Scottish Screen, Scottish TV, Grampian TV and Gaelic broadcast collections as well as community film and video-making.
Other duties such as boxing and labelling collections for access and a chance to interpret the collections for other audiences will be part of the experience, for example, through selections of curated lists, or writing about collections and biographies.
Volunteers will be based at Kelvin Hall, with a requirement to work onsite, and an opportunity to work occasionally at our off-site preservation stores. Reasonable travel expenses will be compensated, where applicable. All volunteers will require a Level 1 disclosure from Disclosure Scotland.
Who we are looking for -
We’re looking for people with a practical interest in how archives work and who have an interest in the history of film, video and sound, and Scottish arts and culture (1970s – 2000s) We require people with good IT and skills, such as Word, Excel and databases. We need people who can bring care and attention to this role - you will be asked to handle fragile audiovisual formats, and the work will be repetitive and meticulous a lot of the time. We are looking for people who can adapt to working in different physical environments and as part of a small team, whether that is climbing ladders in vaults or typing up data at a computer.
We require people with great communication and problem solving skills, who are focussed on working collaboratively and flexibly to deliver the outcomes of the volunteer project. If this sounds like you, then we look forward to reading your application
What we can offer you -
If you are successful, you will be working with one of Scotland’s premier cultural institutions, a library that holds the nation’s memory in its vast collections. We’ll provide you with a rare opportunity to work ‘behind the scenes’ with some of Scotland’s broadcast history. There will be a chance to interpret and engage with the unique collections you have worked with as part of the experience.
You can contact Charlie McCann (
[email protected]) if you have any questions about the post.
The closing date for applications is Monday 24 August 2026. It is anticipated that interviews will be held in the week commencing Monday 7 September 2026. The full role can be found below.
The National Library of Scotland
The National Library of Scotland preserves the memory of the nation with collections that span the centuries, from the earliest times to the digital age. Our collections document the influence of Scots at home and abroad, while reflecting the ideas and cultures of the world. They cover all aspects of human endeavour in multiple formats, including books, manuscripts, archives, websites, maps, music, moving image and sound.
We support education, research, business and innovation and our work enhances the reputation of Scotland as a country with a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant future. We are committed to providing easy access to our physical and digital collections and delivering services that are open and available to all. It is a place for inspiration, exploration and enjoyment, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
There are around 320 of us working at the Library who all contribute in different ways, whether welcoming our visitors, planning our events and exhibitions, developing and caring for our collections or looking after our buildings and people.
The Benefits
Flexible Working
Family Friendly
Civil Service Pension Scheme
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Health and Wellbeing
Discounts and Free Entry
Generous Annual Leave
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