VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer

Why Volunteer? | What Can I Do? | How Do I Apply?

Teen Volunteer Opportunities

The Paso Robles Public Library Volunteer Associates Program was instituted in 1995 to help the library staff make full use of its beautiful new building. Starting with only a handful of volunteers, the program has grown to be one of California’s most innovative models of volunteerism.

Today, our volunteer program is essential to the daily operation of the library with over 140 volunteers contributing over 14,000 hours of their time and talents each year. Library Volunteer Associates come from a wide range of backgrounds and their contribution to the library community is immeasurable—assisting in circulation, reference, computers, children’s services, processing, interlibrary loans, mending and various outreach programs. They staff the Friends of the Library gift store, work the semi-annual book sales and process the donated materials that arrive daily. They read, play games, monitor computer use and provide homework help for children at the Study Center. The Library Board of Trustees and Library Foundation Directors set goals and formulate policy to address the needs and desires of the community and raise the funds needed to enhance current programs and purchase additional materials.

Why Volunteer?

There are many reasons for volunteering. For some, it is a chance to meet new people, to work in pleasant surroundings, to develop new skills, or to give something back to the community. Participation in the Library Volunteer Associates Program will bring you learning opportunities, camaraderie, challenges, and fun.

As a Library Volunteer Associate you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you are providing a much-needed, much-valued service to the community. Through your participation, the library will continue to be a place where both you and the community are enriched by your efforts. Thank You!

What Can I Do?

Below is a brief synopsis of the various opportunities available to Library Volunteer Associates. Assignments may change and openings may vary; generally the time commitment is four hours per week for one year.

Book Menders
Do you enjoy working behind the scenes? Are you detail-oriented and neat? A self-starter with good eyesight and small motor skills? If so, you may be just the right person to keep the library collections in good repair.

Children’s Services Volunteers
There are several positions in the Children’s Library that may appeal to you—all require patience and a good sense of humor! General duties include answering questions, shelving books, and keeping statistics. Storytime volunteers plan and present monthly storytime programs. If you enjoy reading aloud, the Grandparents and Books program makes visiting the library an enriching experience for children. Library Grandparents are on call to read to children in an informal setting.

Circulation Desk Assistants
If you are a people person, are detail-oriented, and aren’t afraid to learn new computer tricks, this front-line position may be the job for you. Duties include checking books in and out, answering and transferring telephone calls, preparing items for shelving, and handling money.

Computer Crew
ATTENTION INTERNET LOVERS: What’s better than spending an evening surfing the Internet? Helping someone else learn to surf. The Paso Robles Public Library is looking for volunteers experienced with computers and the Internet to assist the public in using the Library’s computers. Two to four hours per week will give you the chance to 1) meet new people; 2) work in pleasant surroundings; 3) develop new skills, and 4) give back to the community. Good people and organizational skills required.

Docents
Library Docents provide two valuable services to the community: they lead tours and they proctor tests. All inquiries and scheduling are handled through the volunteer office. Whether a tour guide or a test proctor, all you have to do is come to the library on a day that fits with your busy schedule. Tours are generally one hour in length; tests, two to three hours. As a tour guide, your duties would include meeting prescheduled groups and showing them around the Library; providing age-specific information to various community and school groups; reading a story or two to the children on the tour; and giving out various handouts as necessary. Test proctoring duties include collecting fees for proctoring; monitoring test takers to make sure they are following the proctoring instructions for their individual exam; and mailing or faxing the exam back to the school.

Delivery Processing Assistants
This position entails processing books received from other libraries. Delivery Processing volunteers need to be familiar with computers and be able to lift book bags.

Book Processors
Another behind-the-scenes job, preparing materials for circulation is a good way to see what’s new in the library collection before anyone else! Covering books and affixing labels will be some of your duties.

Reference Desk Assistants
Ability to work well with the public, patience, creativity, communication skills, and knowledge of basic reference materials and computer catalog searching are necessary qualifications for this important position.

Shelvers and Shelf Readers
If you’ve ever looked for a book that the library says is in but you can’t find, then you know how important correctly shelved materials are to the user-friendly library. Needed for this position is the ability to follow directions, to use alphabetical and numerical filing systems, to reach above the head and use the footstool.

Special Assignment Volunteers
There is a variety of special projects from clerical work to collection inventory available to library volunteers. Special searches, local history clipping, and overdue notice searches are just a few of the odds and ends with which the special assignment volunteers assist.

How Do I Apply?

Simply fill out the application and bring it to the library at 1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles! To have an application mailed to you, or for more information on volunteer opportunities at the Library, call Suzanne at 237-3870 or send her an email.