Volunteer

Since 1973, Spartacus Books is a non-profit, volunteer & collectively run bookstore & resource center. The store has been successfully run for over 40 years by a collective of volunteers, despite a 2004 fire at one location, and two renovictions, and one move since then. With support from our community, we have survived it all but sadly had to leave the DTES.

People come to our space to:

  • read on the couches- use the free computers and internet connection
  • chat and network with diverse and interesting folks
  • learn about and advertise upcoming events
  • buy books, zines, magazines, comix and other paraphernalia relating to struggles against classism, racism, sexism, war, corporate greed, environmental destruction, and other institutional atrocities
  • attend movie nights, meetings poetry readings, and many other community events

Questions? Contact us at 604-688-6138, info@spartacusbooks.net, or by visiting 1983 Commercial Drive, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territory, Vancouver, BC

NOTE: Application intake is paused right now!
You may still apply below, and our volunteer coordinators will reply once intake resumes.


    Some of your responsibilities as a Spartacus volunteer/collective member will be:

    • selling books, magazine, zines, etc.

    • getting new people into the store by postering, distributing Spartacus leaflets, etc.

    • helping out for events that happen at Spartacus by booking new events, - setting up the event space, being around when events go beyond regular store hours

    • creating a safe, inspiring space in the store

    • fundraising – organizing fundraising events, etc.

    • tabling for Spartacus at community events

    • staying up-to-date on Spartacus happenings

    • attending Spartacus Collective meetings (monthly)






    Application process from here:

    1. Once your application has been submitted, our volunteer coordinators will contact you to set up an interview/orientation with 2 Spartacus volunteers. It may be a couple of weeks before you hear from us. PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER! Our emails sometimes get filtered out or bounced. If you haven’t heard from us within two weeks please email volunteer@spartacusbooks.net to follow-up.
    2. You’ll come in for your interview/orientation – it takes about 1/2 – 1 hour. You’ll learn more about how Spartacus works, what your responsibilities will be, how decisions are made in our volunteer collective. We’ll learn more about you, your interests, your experiences, and we’ll make sure we’re a good fit for you and vice versa.
    3. Within about a week after your interview you will hear from a member of the collective letting you know whether or not you have been accepted or not.
    4. If you’re accepted, our volunteer coordinators will help you schedule 1-3 training shifts with different collective members to learn how the store works.
    5. After you’ve completed your training and feel comfortable, you can sign up for a regular weekly shift at the store. New volunteers are asked to commit to a specific shift for the first few months they’re involved at the store. Often people forget their training, otherwise.