VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Adult Volunteer Application (ONLINE)
About the Volunteer Program
The Paso Robles City Library Volunteer 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 Volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds and their contributions to the library community are 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 and process the donated materials that arrive daily. They read, play games, monitor computer use and provide homework help for children. Volunteers appointed by the city council to the five-member Library Board of Trustees set goals and formulate policy to address the needs and desires of the community. Directors on the sixteen-member Library Foundation raise the funds needed to enhance current programs and purchase additional materials.
View a slideshow of the 2009 Volunteers' Annual Appreciation Reception
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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 Program will bring you learning opportunities, camaraderie, challenges, and fun.
The Library offers two adult volunteer programs. Library Express! is a six-week, two-hours-per-week, opportunity to assist staff in shelving materials, cleaning, and completing various tasks. The ongoing program is a two-to-four-hours-per-week, one-year commitment that provides an opportunity for a broader learning experience. Fingerprinting is required for most positions.
As a Library Volunteer 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!
Adult Volunteer Opportunities
Below is a brief synopsis of the various opportunities available to Library Volunteers
participating in the ongoing program.
Assignments may change and openings may vary.
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
What’s better than spending an
evening surfing the Internet? Helping someone else learn to
surf! The Paso Robles City Library is looking for volunteers
experienced with computers and the Internet to assist the public
in using the Library’s computers. Three 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.
Children's
Tours are offered on
Thursdays and
are generally one half 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. Most tests are two to three hours in length.
This position entails processing materials received from other libraries. Delivery Processing volunteers need to be familiar with computers and be able to lift book bags. Facility in using alphabetical and numerical filings systems is required.
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 use the footstool to reach above the head, and the ability to reach lower shelves.
How Do I Apply?
To apply for either of the Adult Volunteer Programs, simply fill out and submit the online application.
To apply for the Teen Volunteer Program, fill out the Teen Application, print a copy, and then bring it to the Library.
