Volunteer
The library offers a variety of volunteer opportunities that range from shelving materials to preparing crafts for children’s programs. These duties also vary depending on the location.
Volunteering at the library can help you:
- Build self-confidence, self-discipline, and a sense of responsibility necessary for future pursuits, both personal and professional
- Utilize special talents in meaningful, creative projects
- Achieve self-enrichment by participating in service to the community
- Learn about the library environment and the library’s role within the community
To find out more, contact the Youth Services Librarian or Branch Manager at the location where you would like to help. If there are openings for volunteers, you will be asked to complete and submit an application to the library, you will then be scheduled for an interview. Anyone 13 years old and up may apply to volunteer.
Scroll down to read through the list of available positions.
Book Club Leader
If you love reading and talking about books, you can lead a Book Club and receive volunteer hours for your work! Book Club Leaders select the book in advance, advertise their meeting, prepare discussion questions, and recommend similar titles to read.
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 4 Months (approximate)
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services or Branch Manager
Duties:
- Select book in advance of meeting, prepare questions
- Set up meeting area and remain with participants for the duration of the book being discussed
- Ensure participants are engaging with other participants in the appropriate manner
- Report to Supervisor any problems with participants
- Reports volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Experience assisting others
- Dependable and prompt
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good organizational skills, pays attention to details
Building Support Services
Keep the library looking its best! Help with preventative maintenance, setting up displays and artwork, and keeping things tidy.
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Library Director or Branch Manager
Duties:
- Monitor ceiling for water damage and report damage
- Monitor lights for replacement and report needed replacements
- Discuss with Supervisor display ideas and locations
- Create displays with library supplies
- Request needed supplies in advance of need
- Walk around library ensuring proper placement of books and other materials; keeping an eye out for hazards
- Report volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of alpha/numeric order
- Creativity
- Computer Skills and / or design skills
- Ability to manipulate library materials up to 20 pounds
- Ability to reach top shelves and bend to bottom shelves
- Ability to manipulate fully loaded book carts
- Follow oral and / or written instructions
- Ability to work independently
Library Support Services
Volunteers needed for a variety of capacities assisting staff with ongoing library tasks
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services or Branch Manager
Duties:
- Mending books and other repairs
- Reinforcing paperbacks
- Cleaning and /or repackaging audiovisual materials
- Dusting, cleaning, recovering books
- Restocking public workstations with pencils scrap paper, and printer paper
- Organizing toys in children’s area
- Report volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Ability to manipulate library materials up to 20 pounds
- Ability to reach top shelves and bend to bottom shelves
- Ability to manipulate fully loaded book carts
- Follow oral and / or written instructions
- Ability to work independently
- Attention to detail
Technology Support Services
You’ll provide valuable assistance to library patrons by helping with basic computer questions and troubleshooting.
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services or Branch Manager
Duties:
- Work one-on-one with library patrons teaching them computer and technology related skills
- Topics will vary based on the patron’s needs, but usually include navigating the Internet and learning basic Microsoft Office programs
- Working with eBooks and e-readers
- Report volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Strong computer skills
- Ability to explain technology to novice users
- Patience
- Good interpersonal skills
- Desire to help others improve their technology proficiency
Program Support Services
Assist librarians prior to and during library programs. You’ll help make sure programs run smoothly and help create a great experience for program attendees.
Time Commitment: 1 – 2 hours per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services / Outreach & Marketing Librarian / Branch Manager
Duties:
- Assist Supervisor in creating a welcoming atmosphere through ensuring the library is set up according to instructions
- Ensure any handouts for program are distributed to attendees as needed
- Provide assistance to staff as needed before, during, and after planned program
- Assist in preparation of program
- Assist in making handouts
- Assist in providing one-on-one assistance during program as needed
- Assist in cleaning up programming space at end of program or assigned time
- Report volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Follow oral and / or written instructions
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work with others
- Attention to detail
- Creativity
- Computer Skills and / or design skills
- Ability to manipulate library materials up to 20 pounds
- Ability to reach top shelves and bend to bottom shelves
Shelving Support Services
Get a behind-the-scenes look at shelving services. You’ll help sort and shelve returned library materials and find materials to fulfill hold requests.
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services or Branch Manager
Duties:
- Sorts carts as needed
- Shelves all library materials
- Reads shelves regularly to ensure materials are in proper order
- Shifts books as needed
- Report volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of alpha/numeric order
- Ability to manipulate library materials up to 20 pounds
- Ability to reach top shelves and bend to bottom shelves
- Ability to manipulate fully loaded book carts
- Follow oral and / or written instructions
- Ability to work independently
Makerspace Support Services
You’ll learn how to use Makerspace equipment, assist in programs, and help organize Makerspace supplies.
Time Commitment: 1 – 2 hours per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Makerspace Manager / Branch Manager
Duties:
- Assist branch manager / makerspace manager in creating a welcoming atmosphere through ensuring the makerspace is set up according to instructions, ensure instructions for projects are distributed to attendees as needed, and provide assistance to Makerspace users as needed.
- Assist in preparation of makerspace
- Assist in making handouts
- Assist in providing one-on-one assistance to attendees
- Assist in cleaning up Makerspace at end of programs or assigned time
- Report volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Experience working with others
- Experience in using computers and the Internet
- Ability to follow instructions
- Good interpersonal skills
Book Sale and Donation Support Services
Support the library in its fund-raising program for the library system by sorting incoming donated materials (books, magazines, sound recordings, etc.) for addition to the library’s collections or for inclusion in the library’s book sales. Volunteer will receive on-the-job training in handling donations
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services or Branch Manager
Duties:
- Sort materials for book sale
- Forward to staff any donations for potential addition to the library’s collection
- Pack and unpack materials
- Maintain the donations area and book sale area
- Report volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Good interpersonal skills
- Dependable
- Ability to follow directions and guidelines
- Ability to work independently
- Physically able to lift, pack, and push book trucks
- Good decision making skills
Video Game Support Services
Supervise children from elementary through middle school ages in playing with the Haynes Branch Library’s video game console equipment or County Library’s Makerspace gaming computers
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 6 Months
*Must be 16 years of age or older
Immediate Supervisor: Makerspace Manager or Branch Manager
Duties:
- Set up and take down of equipment as needed
- Make sure equipment is in working order
- Supervision of children for the duration of the program
- Make sure children are playing cooperatively
- Report to Branch Manager or Makerspace Manager any problems with equipment or patrons
- Reports volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Experience working with children of all ages
- Dependable and prompt
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good organizational skills, pays attention to details
Gaming Support Services
Assist library staff with programming involving weekly gaming sessions designed for a range of ages in playing a variety of games
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services / Outreach & Marketing Librarian / Branch Manager
Duties:
- Set up and take down of games as needed
- Make sure all parts of games are in working order week prior to gaming session
- Assist library staff with participants for the duration of the gaming program
- Make sure participants are playing cooperatively
- Report to Supervisor any problems with games or participants
- Reports volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Experience assisting others
- Dependable and prompt
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good organizational skills, pays attention to details
Gardening Support Services
Enhance the appearance of library grounds.
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Outreach & Marketing Librarian or Branch Manager
Duties:
- Assists with all phases of gardening including weeding, planting, watering, and mulching
- Works in conjunction with library staff to develop an overall plan for landscape maintenance and upkeep
- Keeps staff informed of and issues and materials/supplies needed
- Reports volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Basic horticultural knowledge
- Previous hands-on gardening experience
- Interest in stewardship of library grounds
- Ability to work outdoors and to bend, stoop and reach
Youth Advisory Services
Assist library staff with evolving library services for patrons age 12- 24
Time Commitment: 1 – 2 hours per month for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services / Outreach & Marketing Librarian / Branch Manager
Duties:
- In conjunction with library staff helps develop an overall plan for youth programs and additions to collection
- Reports volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Dependable and prompt
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good organizational skills, pays attention to details
Summer Reading Support Services
Be a part of our Summer Reading Program team! You’ll have the opportunity to help with program registration, SRP programs and activities, and shelving children’s library materials. Applications are accepted only during the month of April for this position.
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 4 Months (approximate)
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services or Branch Manager
Book Club Leader
If you love reading and talking about books, you can lead a Book Club and receive volunteer hours for your work! Book Club Leaders select the book in advance, advertise their meeting, prepare discussion questions, and recommend similar titles to read.
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 4 Months (approximate)
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services or Branch Manager
Duties:
- Select book in advance of meeting, prepare questions
- Set up meeting area and remain with participants for the duration of the book being discussed
- Ensure participants are engaging with other participants in the appropriate manner
- Report to Supervisor any problems with participants
- Reports volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Experience assisting others
- Dependable and prompt
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good organizational skills, pays attention to details
Building Support Services
Keep the library looking its best! Help with preventative maintenance, setting up displays and artwork, and keeping things tidy.
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Library Director or Branch Manager
Duties:
- Monitor ceiling for water damage and report damage
- Monitor lights for replacement and report needed replacements
- Discuss with Supervisor display ideas and locations
- Create displays with library supplies
- Request needed supplies in advance of need
- Walk around library ensuring proper placement of books and other materials; keeping an eye out for hazards
- Report volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of alpha/numeric order
- Creativity
- Computer Skills and / or design skills
- Ability to manipulate library materials up to 20 pounds
- Ability to reach top shelves and bend to bottom shelves
- Ability to manipulate fully loaded book carts
- Follow oral and / or written instructions
- Ability to work independently
Library Support Services
Volunteers needed for a variety of capacities assisting staff with ongoing library tasks
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services or Branch Manager
Duties:
- Mending books and other repairs
- Reinforcing paperbacks
- Cleaning and /or repackaging audiovisual materials
- Dusting, cleaning, recovering books
- Restocking public workstations with pencils scrap paper, and printer paper
- Organizing toys in children’s area
- Report volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Ability to manipulate library materials up to 20 pounds
- Ability to reach top shelves and bend to bottom shelves
- Ability to manipulate fully loaded book carts
- Follow oral and / or written instructions
- Ability to work independently
- Attention to detail
Technology Support Services
You’ll provide valuable assistance to library patrons by helping with basic computer questions and troubleshooting.
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services or Branch Manager
Duties:
- Work one-on-one with library patrons teaching them computer and technology related skills
- Topics will vary based on the patron’s needs, but usually include navigating the Internet and learning basic Microsoft Office programs
- Working with eBooks and e-readers
- Report volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Strong computer skills
- Ability to explain technology to novice users
- Patience
- Good interpersonal skills
- Desire to help others improve their technology proficiency
Program Support Services
Assist librarians prior to and during library programs. You’ll help make sure programs run smoothly and help create a great experience for program attendees.
Time Commitment: 1 – 2 hours per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services / Outreach & Marketing Librarian / Branch Manager
Duties:
- Assist Supervisor in creating a welcoming atmosphere through ensuring the library is set up according to instructions
- Ensure any handouts for program are distributed to attendees as needed
- Provide assistance to staff as needed before, during, and after planned program
- Assist in preparation of program
- Assist in making handouts
- Assist in providing one-on-one assistance during program as needed
- Assist in cleaning up programming space at end of program or assigned time
- Report volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Follow oral and / or written instructions
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work with others
- Attention to detail
- Creativity
- Computer Skills and / or design skills
- Ability to manipulate library materials up to 20 pounds
- Ability to reach top shelves and bend to bottom shelves
Shelving Support Services
Get a behind-the-scenes look at shelving services. You’ll help sort and shelve returned library materials and find materials to fulfill hold requests.
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services or Branch Manager
Duties:
- Sorts carts as needed
- Shelves all library materials
- Reads shelves regularly to ensure materials are in proper order
- Shifts books as needed
- Report volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of alpha/numeric order
- Ability to manipulate library materials up to 20 pounds
- Ability to reach top shelves and bend to bottom shelves
- Ability to manipulate fully loaded book carts
- Follow oral and / or written instructions
- Ability to work independently
Makerspace Support Services
You’ll learn how to use Makerspace equipment, assist in programs, and help organize Makerspace supplies.
Time Commitment: 1 – 2 hours per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Makerspace Manager / Branch Manager
Duties:
- Assist branch manager / makerspace manager in creating a welcoming atmosphere through ensuring the makerspace is set up according to instructions, ensure instructions for projects are distributed to attendees as needed, and provide assistance to Makerspace users as needed.
- Assist in preparation of makerspace
- Assist in making handouts
- Assist in providing one-on-one assistance to attendees
- Assist in cleaning up Makerspace at end of programs or assigned time
- Report volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Experience working with others
- Experience in using computers and the Internet
- Ability to follow instructions
- Good interpersonal skills
Book Sale and Donation Support Services
Support the library in its fund-raising program for the library system by sorting incoming donated materials (books, magazines, sound recordings, etc.) for addition to the library’s collections or for inclusion in the library’s book sales. Volunteer will receive on-the-job training in handling donations
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services or Branch Manager
Duties:
- Sort materials for book sale
- Forward to staff any donations for potential addition to the library’s collection
- Pack and unpack materials
- Maintain the donations area and book sale area
- Report volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Good interpersonal skills
- Dependable
- Ability to follow directions and guidelines
- Ability to work independently
- Physically able to lift, pack, and push book trucks
- Good decision making skills
Video Game Support Services
Supervise children from elementary through middle school ages in playing with the Haynes Branch Library’s video game console equipment or County Library’s Makerspace gaming computers
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 6 Months
*Must be 16 years of age or older
Immediate Supervisor: Makerspace Manager or Branch Manager
Duties:
- Set up and take down of equipment as needed
- Make sure equipment is in working order
- Supervision of children for the duration of the program
- Make sure children are playing cooperatively
- Report to Branch Manager or Makerspace Manager any problems with equipment or patrons
- Reports volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Experience working with children of all ages
- Dependable and prompt
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good organizational skills, pays attention to details
Gaming Support Services
Assist library staff with programming involving weekly gaming sessions designed for a range of ages in playing a variety of games
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services / Outreach & Marketing Librarian / Branch Manager
Duties:
- Set up and take down of games as needed
- Make sure all parts of games are in working order week prior to gaming session
- Assist library staff with participants for the duration of the gaming program
- Make sure participants are playing cooperatively
- Report to Supervisor any problems with games or participants
- Reports volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Experience assisting others
- Dependable and prompt
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good organizational skills, pays attention to details
Gardening Support Services
Enhance the appearance of library grounds.
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per Week for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Outreach & Marketing Librarian or Branch Manager
Duties:
- Assists with all phases of gardening including weeding, planting, watering, and mulching
- Works in conjunction with library staff to develop an overall plan for landscape maintenance and upkeep
- Keeps staff informed of and issues and materials/supplies needed
- Reports volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Basic horticultural knowledge
- Previous hands-on gardening experience
- Interest in stewardship of library grounds
- Ability to work outdoors and to bend, stoop and reach
Youth Advisory Services
Assist library staff with evolving library services for patrons age 12- 24
Time Commitment: 1 – 2 hours per month for 6 Months
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services / Outreach & Marketing Librarian / Branch Manager
Duties:
- In conjunction with library staff helps develop an overall plan for youth programs and additions to collection
- Reports volunteer hours promptly and accurately
Qualifications:
- Dependable and prompt
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good organizational skills, pays attention to details
Summer Reading Support Services
Be a part of our Summer Reading Program team! You’ll have the opportunity to help with program registration, SRP programs and activities, and shelving children’s library materials. Applications are accepted only during the month of April for this position.
Time Commitment: 1 hour per Week for 4 Months (approximate)
Immediate Supervisor: Youth Services or Branch Manager