Volunteer

Submit a volunteer application AND have two (2) people, not related to you, submit a reference on your behalf. The Volunteer Program Office will contact you with more information once the entire application has been processed.

We currently cannot accept applications for those who need community service hours for court purposes.

Applicant to Volunteer Process

• Complete application AND have two non-relatives submit a reference on your behalf within 30 days of submitting volunteer application.
• If there is a volunteer vacancy, the Volunteer Program Specialist will reach out to you.
• Adult applicants will undergo background check. If the background check is cleared, applicant will move on in the volunteer process.
• Informal interview with the library branch or department.
• Orientation where you'll receive training, safety information, and meet library staff.
• Begin volunteering!

Who can volunteer?

• Anyone who is 12 years old and older.
• Individuals who are reliable and able to stick to sometimes unexciting - but vital - tasks.
• People who can commit to volunteering 2-4 hours a week (maximum is 20 hours/ week) for at least 3 months depending on the tasks.

How can I volunteer?

You will need to fill out either an Adult Volunteer Interest Form or a Youth Volunteer Interest Form online. Applicants will also need to have Reference forms filled out by two individuals who are not related to the applicant. 

All adults interested in volunteering will have to undergo a background screening. The Volunteer Program office will provide additional information regarding the background screening process.

For more information, contact your local branch library or:

Volunteer Program Specialist
Alachua County Library District
401 E. University Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32601
352-334-3943
 

Email the Volunteer Program Office for additional information.

Additional volunteer opportunities are available through our Friends of the Library.

What can volunteers do?

Our volunteers do a number of different tasks throughout the library, including: 

• Clerical
  • Organization, cleaning, and other office tasks as needed.
• Computer Aid
  • Provides one-on-one instruction to library users about basic computer usage, assists library users with printing documents in the print management system, help library users with using their mobile devices and troubleshoot simple computer problems.
• Creativity Skills: 
  • Assist staff with creativity-based programs and lead creativity-based programs.
• Job Club Assistance (HQ only): 
  • Assist staff and help patrons who attend the Job Club programs and help patrons with resumes, job applications, interview skills, and basic computer help.
• Learning Center Tutor (Alachua Branch only)
  • Youth Homework Tutoring: help elementary and middle-school aged students on subjects based on their needs, with a big focus on math and reading. Tutoring hours are Mondays and Tuesdays, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Must commit to the two-hour time period.
  • Adult Technology Literacy: assist adult patrons with their technology, job skills, and resume needs. Assist library staff with troubleshooting computer questions, utilizing Northstar Digital Literacy and other library databases. Tutoring occurs on the last Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Literacy Department
  • 1:1 Tutoring for adult basic education learners as well as English language learners
  • Small groups (GED study sessions, small English for Speakers of Other Languages/ESOL groups)
  • Assist with Programs (Drop-in computer help, NorthStar Digital Literacy, Job Club, Conversation Club, Re-Entry Conference, Job Fairs, etc.) 
• Program Assistance
  • Assist staff with preparing materials for library programs, program setup and take-down, assist in the program, and help patrons.
• Seed Library
  • Organize seed library materials and assemble and label seed packets.
• Shelving: 
  • Check in and shelve library materials, process materials for checkout, and assist with inventory.

Volunteer Handbook 

Why volunteer at the library?

The library is an important community service - an information and lifelong learning resource open to everyone! Here are some of the ways the library - and you as a Library Volunteer - make a difference:

• Americans ask their libraries more than 200 million reference questions each year.
• Libraries save business leaders, scientists and engineers an estimated $10 billion a year in information resources.
• Public Libraries are the most efficient of public services - serving 66% of Americans with less than 1% of our tax dollars.

Provided by the American Library Association