Script Library needs Volunteers
Sickness and Holiday cover needed
The Scottish Community Drama Association’s National Script Library is looking for new volunteers to join the existing team, helping out at its small premises at Summerhall in Edinburgh.
According to volunteer librarian Susan Wales: “we urgently need folk prepared to cover for sickness and holiday absences. Weekly commitments would be nice but not essential because, as long as we have a few folk willing to assist, hopefully at least one person would be able to understudy when required.”
The SCDA National Script Library. Photo: Walter Hampson
The library is a unique resource, containing over 40,000 play scripts, both one-act and full-length plays, covering classic theatre, modern dramas, pantomimes, musicals, youth theatre, out-of-print scripts and unpublished works. All are available for loan to SCDA members and to Friends Of The Library.
The library is currently open from 2pm to 7pm on Tuesdays and and from 3pm to 6pm on Wednesdays, although Susan Wales warns that they might have to reconsider these times depending on what cover can be found.
Volunteers will need enthusiasm and basic record-keeping office skills, according to Wales. “Computer literacy would be handy,” she adds, “with knowledge of, or willingness to learn, Access and Excel fandabidozy!”
SCDA Members or Friends coming to the Library personally may borrow scripts free of charge for a period of up to nine weeks for reading purposes. As in all libraries, a basic borrowing record needs to be kept.
donations of scripts
A postal service is operated for members and Friends who cannot visit, so librarians also package scripts and take them to the post office for mailing. The library database is also maintained and updated as scripts are borrowed and returned, and when new scripts are received – anyone covering would not be required to do this, although “it would be great if they could”.
Wales says: “In addition to regular donations of new scripts from publishers, we receive many other donations to be integrated. Therefore assistance with shelving work will also be required. We are expecting a number of large donations in the near future, including the stock from Kirkcaldy Script Library and plays being culled from The National Library Of Scotland.
“We also maintain a theatrical archive so ‘time-travel’ is a perk.”
Anyone who would be interested in volunteering should email library@scda.org.uk to arrange a visit.
Non SCDA members who wish to make use of the library can become members. Details on the script library website.
SCDA National Script Library
Summerhall, 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh, EH9 1PL
Open: Tuesdays 2-7pm; Wednesdays 3-6pm.
SCDA National Script Library website: www.scdaedinburgh.org.uk
Script Library Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/scdascriptlibrary/
ENDS
