An official website of the United States government
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov website belongs to an official government
organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
Search
Connect with the Peace Corps
If you're ready for something bigger, we have a place where you belong.
Apply to the Peace Corps
The application process begins by selecting a service model and finding an open position.
Let us help you find the right position.
If you are flexible in where you serve for the two-year Peace Corps Volunteer program, our experts can match you with a position and country based on your experience and preferences.
Serve where you’re needed mostLibrary Science Advisor
Education
Job highlights
- Expand your professional experience by helping schools to create inviting reading sanctuaries that cultivate a lifelong love of reading among young students.
- Foster community engagement through literacy-focused activities that build capacity to sustain and grow school libraries.
- Experience a unique Caribbean country and South American culture while building enduring relationships.
Guyana • South America
In partnership with: Regional education departments, schools
Get answers live — every weekday at .
Apply by
November 15, 2026Know by
January 1, 2027Depart on
May 30, 2027Duration
10 monthsAbout the project
Schools across Guyana were recently issued hundreds of books and are now searching for experienced librarians and reading enthusiasts to support the creation of school libraries.
Although more than 60% of students in grades 1–4 in Guyana meet the national standards, over 70% of middle school students perform below literacy benchmarks. Many students—particularly at those in rural and hinterland areas—struggle to master foundational skills due to teacher shortages and limited resources. To address these challenges, the Ministry of Education has launched several nationwide initiatives to bolster literacy skills, including distributing a set of over 350 storybooks to every elementary school and more than 150 to every middle and high school. The schools are now required to create libraries with sustainable management routines and reading clubs.
As a Library Science Advisor, you will collaborate with regional departments and schools to create a welcoming, organized, and engaging school library environment. Alongside the regional literacy coordinator and the national literacy unit staff, you will facilitate library‑based activities and provide management support to schools across the region. With your support, schools can close achievement gaps by ensuring every student has access to vivid stories that spark imagination, reinforce learning, and lay the foundation for long-term academic success.
Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Guyana project page.
Required skills
Qualified candidates will have the following criteria:
Bachelor's degree in education, library sciences or a relevant field.
AND
Two or more years of experience in library science or related work.
Language: There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.
Required behavioral competencies
These competencies are essential for all service assignments and are assessed in the application and interview process:
Motivation for and commitment to service
Adaptability and open-mindedness
Problem solving and resourcefulness
Behavioral maturity and professionalism
Photos from Guyana
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Assess the needs of schools for the establishment, refurbishment, or operationalization of school libraries.
Review, organize, catalog, and maintain a collection of age-appropriate literature.
Support school staff in designing and implementing library programs that meet student needs, including orientations, homework support, reading initiatives, and after‑school activities.
Provide training, resources, and professional development opportunities for educators and school staff on how to use library resources.
Help teachers integrate library materials and services into their classrooms, enhancing the learning experience for their students.
Advise on ways to get students to take on responsibility for maintaining the school library.
Encourage student curiosity through school-wide reading events.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as school-based and regional competitions to promote a culture of reading e.g. Summer Reading Competition, 1000 Word Challenge (learn 100 new words this semester)
Peace Corps Response Volunteers (PCRVs) serve in regional communities ranging from remote towns to semi‑urban villages. PCRVs will be accommodated in host families as a priority, with limited independent housing. Daily life may include modest living conditions with limited electricity, internet, and running water. While most sites are rural, Volunteers can visit larger markets monthly to restock supplies.
Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our Guyana country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.
Meet a Volunteer in Guyana
Christopher J.
Small Business Trainer
"It has been rewarding to see how much we can accomplish and how my skills can be applied in different contexts, all from the comfort of my home."
See full Volunteer profile
After a two-week orientation on topics such as health and safety, you will move to an urban or rural community where you will collaborate with regional and national departments of governmental organizations to assess the needs and develop a work plan in line with their established goals.
Only heterosexual couples can be accepted for this program. Each person must apply separately and must qualify for a position in either the same or a different sector than their partner. Couples will live together during training but may separate occasionally for field-based activities. Couples who are selected for the same sector will live together but work with different local partners which may be in the same community or in neighboring communities (not more than 30 minutes apart).
To learn more about serving as a couple in Guyana, visit the country page.
Application process
From application to departure takes around nine months. Learn about the application process for Volunteer opportunities.
Medical/legal clearance
You will need to be cleared medically and legally in order to serve in Guyana. Review information on medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.
