As Book-Cycle has grown organically, we now have a variety of activities to explore in the shop. New volunteers are encouraged to assign themselves roles within Book-Cycle.

If you have a facebook account - join the Book-Cycle Volunteer group here;

The ‘Superheroes’ below have been created to help you in this manner and provide much needed focus.

‘The Shuffler: The Juggler of Books’

-        Sorting / packaging book parcels to post for our partner charities

-        Alphabetising / genre sorting

-        'Shelf-Cycle' (mini Book-Cycle); finding new ones & keeping current ones good

-        Getting ‘Post-Cycle’ to public & scout groups for distribution

-        Sorting books for events & stalls

-        Finding stores of books - public adverts / schools / charity shop collections

Come along to 'Warehouse Wednesday' for book sorting in our warehouse: 1pm - 4pm
(Meet at Book-Cycle shop 12.30)
Please wear sturdy footwear and warm, comfortable clothing.

 The Shuffler is almost always a multi-person task because of the shear scale

‘Cybertron: The Virtual Maestro’

-        Dealing with enquiry emails and online book sales

-        Making sure free internet access is working

-    Updating website: news / events / partners and 'Shelf-Cycles'

-        Keeping social networking groups up-to-date

-        Looking for ingenious ways to make Book-Cycle global!

-        Finding free I.T equipment / Laptops for volunteer to use

-        Searching for free courses & workshops for Book-Cycle volunteers

‘Art Attack: The Creative Driving Force’

-        Making sure Book-Cycle is beautiful

-    Organising and promoting FREE art exhibitions

-        Inventing weird and wonderful art installations in all Book-Cycle areas

-        Guerrilla Advertising - Chalking around town / Stickers / Art Installations

-        Collating photos & images for Book-Cycle advertising (Events & Partners)

-        Designing Posters / Flyers / Clothing / Bookmarks to promote Book-Cycle

‘Bin Laden: Chief in charge of Recycling – Hunter / Gatherer’

-        Looking for FREE resources (Free-Cycle goodies / house clearances / probate)

-        Researching ways to recycle - Paper mache projects / Mushroom growing 

-        Making sure all shop bins are in order – recyclables / compost etc

‘Oaky Doky: Chief in-charge of all things Green’

-        Finding saplings & locations to plant them

-        Establishment of Permaculture & tree nurseries (POGOE)

-    Developing growing partnerships with local schools

-        Helping Book-Cycle run as efficiently as possible – lowering carbon footprint

-        Growing useful plants in Book-Cycle areas / harvesting the bounty / preserving methods

-        Researching and obtaining land, lots of land under starry skies above

-        Keeping the seed banks well stocked & varied (collecting seeds & advertising)

-        Promoting organic growing / green activities / informative workshops & walks

-        Public access to green info on Book-Cycle links page & leaflets in shop

-        Researching greener transport solutions for the postage of books

‘Clown Core: All Round Entertainer’

-        Music & ambience at events and in the shop

-        Circus / Juggling workshops / Storytelling

-        Ensuring that volunteers & customers alike are jolly & entertained

-        Hosting creative workshops / assisting with stalls & events

-        Procuring circus & music equipment from Free-Cycle / public donations

-        Organised volunteer excursions – common interest subjects

‘Robin Hoodie: Money Hunter’

In order to achieve our larger goals, money is still a major area that needs
to be factored in to our projects.

-        Seeking ways to maximise profits with-in the remit of Book-Cycle’s ethos

-        Efficiency; cheaper resources / generating energy (solar) / (biofuel)

-        Research in funding process  - applicable grants / schemes

-        Applying for funding in all departments / projects

-        Finding FREE courses / information / workshops

‘Captain O’ the Brig: At the Helm of the Book-Cycle Ship’

An essential character as the shop being open and running smoothly is key to most of our activities.

-       Customer relations / Info about Book-Cycle / Answering customer enquiries

-       Answering phone / Taking book requests / Checking emails

-        Helping sort book donations as they arrive

-        Researching History of the shop

-    Updating leaflets, posters & information

‘Constucto – The Builder of Wonders’

-        Ensuring the vehicles are well maintained

-        Locating useful tools / materials / DIY Info

-        Making and maintaining ‘Silly-Cycles’ / Bike Trailers

-        Construction both innovative and practical - Shop / Warehouse

-        Making wooden donation boxes for ‘Mini Book-Cycles’