Support the Library

• Austin History Center Association
• Austin Public Library Friends Foundation
• Library Commission
• Recent grants, awards and donors
• Street and Facility Naming Policy (City of Austin)  (PDF, Adobe Acrobat required)
  • Application for Naming Facilities for the Austin Public Library
     (PDF, Adobe Acrobat required)
• Ways to Support Your Library
  • Gift Donation
  • Dedications
  • Gold Cards
  • Book Donations
  • Volunteers
    • Applications and General Information
    • Recycled Reads Bookstore
    • Summer Youth Volunteer Program
    • Talk Time

Gift Donation: A Library Book in Their Name!

Looking for the perfect gift idea? Give the Austin Public Library a book, audiobook, music CD, DVD or Blu-ray or a downloadable item in honor of a special friend or family member. They’ll love the idea!

Gifts can be made in any amount:

• $20 buys a picture book or a music CD
• $25 buys a hardcover best-seller
• $30 buys a DVD or Blu-ray
• $35 buys a children's or teen book
• $65 buys an adult audiobook
• $75 can purchase a eBook, eAudiobook, eMovie, eMusic or eMagazines.
• $$$ Or make a more significant gift in honor of a whole family or that special someone or client.
   

Your recipients will get:

• A donation that can reflect their personal interests - select a genre, topic, library collection or branch, or even a specific author or title (subject to library needs)
• Their name inscribed on a special bookplate, placed inside the “gifted” book
• A letter from Austin Public Library announcing that you have made a donation in their honor (to ensure notification before the holiday, please also send your own card)
• The opportunity to be the first person to check out the brand-new book (or other material) when it’s placed in the collection.

Here's how it works:

• Send a check for $20 or more, made out to the Austin Public Library, with the APL Gift Donation Form to Austin Public Library, P.O. Box 2287, Austin TX 78768-2287
• Download the Library's Gift Donation Form in PDF
• Gifts also can be made in person at any Library branch. Questions? Call 512-974-7400.

Thank you for considering the Austin Public Library for your gift giving opportunities.

Dedications

You may donate a book to the Austin Public Library collection to honor the memory of a friend or loved one. A plate will be placed inside each book donated as a memorial to commemorate the gift.

Dedications may be:

• selected by title
• selected by subject
• placed in the location of your choice

The Library can notify the family of the person to be honored if you choose. The average dedication donation is $25.00. Donations may be mailed to:

Austin Public Library
Library Administration
P.O. Box 2287
Austin, TX 78768-2287

For more information on memorials, call the Austin Public Library at (512) 974-7528 or e-mail Toni Grasso.

Download the Library's Gift Donation Form in PDF

Invest in Austin Gold...The Austin Public Library Gold Card

Austin Public Library Gold Cards are available to new or current Library card holders who choose to contribute a minimum of $25 to the Gold Card Program. To apply, complete an Austin Public Library Adult Star Card Application and present it in person at the circulation desk of any Austin Public Library location with a current photo I.D. and proof of your current residence address. Just mention that you'd like to donate to the Gold Card Program.

A Gold Card donation:

• will provide more books for the Library
• identifies the user as a strong Library supporter
• is tax deductible
• can make a thoughtful gift to a friend or relative

Gold Card holders will be invited to renew their support annually, but may continue to use the Gold Card regardless of future contributions.

Book Donations

The Austin Public Library accepts donations of best sellers and popular titles for the Library's collection.

Hardback and paperback books in good condition can be dropped off at any Library location or at the Recycled Reads bookstore. For more information call (512) 323-5123.

Work assignments are available during most operational hours, including weekdays, nights and weekends.

Volunteers can be placed at the Faulk Central Library, the Austin History Center, and various Library branches.

Orientation and training are required and provided at various times throughout the week. You will never be asked to perform a task with which you are uncomfortable.

Because your needs as a volunteer may change over a period of time, the program offers the flexibility of reassignment or rescheduling.

Volunteer Positions

If you choose to be a volunteer, you will have an opportunity to contribute in a variety of ways. Positions include: storytime helpers, book shelvers, typists, file clerks, book processors, receptionists, data entry, personnel assistants, research assistants, computer docents, and more.

If a suitable position is not available at the time of your interview, your application and interest inventory will be placed in a resource file. As positions become available, you will be contacted.

As a Library Volunteer You Should:

• Feel free to ask questions if you do not understand instructions.
• Volunteers are encouraged to work their scheduled work times.
• Complete your assignment in a timely and accurate fashion.
• Be reliable, dependable and prompt.
• Attend training sessions as scheduled.
• Give adequate notice of absence for illness or vacation.
• Always be polite to Library customers and staff.
• Avoid having friends call or visit you while you are working.
• Dress according to the Library Dress Code.
• Wear your Volunteer badge while on duty.
• Maintain an accurate timesheet.

Benefits

Besides the satisfaction you will gain for helping the Austin Public Library deliver quality services to the citizens of Austin, you will be included in the Library's formal recognition program. Volunteers who complete over 50 hours are eligible for a letter of reference. Volunteers with 100 or more hours of service will receive public recognition through nameplates. Ask the Volunteer Services Coordinator for details.

Summer Youth Volunteer Program 2013

Thank you for your interest in the Austin Public Library's 2013 Summer Youth Volunteer Program.

To apply, complete the linked application and mail it to the address listed at the end of the application. Answer all questions and have a parent or legal guardian sign the back. Parents should not complete the applications for children. Feel free to include any information that you think will be helpful.

Important dates to remember:

• March 25, 2013 - Applications are being accepted. Application must be submitted on Summer Youth Application Form. Please do not send forms before this date.
• April 28 - Application deadline.
• May 15 - Email Notification of placement (students selected into the program will be notified).
• May 30 & 31st - Orientation training (mandatory for new volunteers). Location TBA. Training will review policies and procedures as well as the dress code.
• June 4 - Program begins at 9:00 am.
• August 2 - Last day of program.

Program guidelines:

The dates of the Summer Youth Volunteer program are Monday, June 10 through Friday, August 2, 2013. Volunteers may miss up to two weeks of the program for camps or vacations. Volunteers must be at least 13 years old, on or before June 10, 2013, and have completed 7th grade. No exceptions!

Most volunteers work four to eight hours a week, and every effort is made to place you at a location you requested. Please list all locations where you could volunteer in order of preference.

Applications must be postmarked by April 28, 2013. Late applications will be considered for unfilled positions after initial placements are made. Please keep in mind that the Library usually has about four times as many applications as positions, so late placements are rare.

Notification of placements will be emailed on or about May 15, 2013. Preference is given to returning volunteers and older youth. New volunteers may be asked to have an interview with the Volunteer Coordinator. Please do not call the Volunteer Coordinator's office before May 20 to check on your placement.

Training is mandatory for all volunteers. Please indicate on the application which session suits you best.

• Thursday, May 30, 2013, Time TBA, (location to be announced), or;
• Friday, May 31, 2013, Time TBA, (location to be announced)

Volunteers will receive letters of participation after program ends. We will also ask volunteers to complete a survey that will help the Library plan for future programs.

Summer Youth Volunteer positions

ADMINISTRATIVE CLERICAL SUPPORT VOLUNTEER - Assist with general office and clerical duties. Dependent on area assigned may provide assistance with answering telephones taking of messages; Xeroxing, preparing materials for mail outs, data entry and labeling of books. Must have general knowledge of office equipment and software. Must be well organized and have a willingness to perform basic tasks. (Volunteer opportunity Monday-Saturday) This opportunity is limited.

CIRCULATION SUPPORT VOLUNTEER - Volunteer will work with the circulation division filing, preparing envelopes for mailings, and shredding of materials. Volunteer must be willing to perform tedious and repetitious work with minimum supervision. Must have great organization skills and provide excellent attention to details. (Volunteer opportunities Monday afternoon - Tuesday mornings)

PAGE VOLUNTEER - Provide assistance to all branches and central library with re-shelving and sorting of returned books, magazines, videotapes and music. Using Dewey decimal, "read" and alphanumeric sequence as means to re-shelve, ensures books are in the correct location. Ability to bend, stoop, reach and squat to shelf or retrieve books. Ability to push/pull book carts that could weight 50-200 lbs. Ability to perform routine task with office equipment: photocopier, computer, typewriter, etc. Empty book bags and book drops. Ability to communicate verbally with customers and other duties as required. (Volunteer opportunities Monday-Saturday)

SUMMER READING PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS - Assist youth services librarians with storytime preparation. Volunteer must have understanding and knowledge of children 0-14 years. Must enjoy working in a flexible environment along with interacting with the public and being around children. Must be organized and reliable. Have a creative nature for producing artistic arts and craft activities and materials. Assist youth services librarian in the creation and production of materials used in storytime presentations, such as puppets, props and flannel boards. Knowledge of additional world languages valuable. Provides preparation for activities with room management and arrangement. Provide assistance during summer with signing up children for library summer reading programs. Perform other duties as required. (Volunteer opportunities Monday-Saturday)

YOUTH SERVICES VOLUNTEER- Assist Youth Services Librarians prepare materials and activities to be distributed to local branches and the general public. Ability to organize and separate materials. Willingness to perform basic and repetitive tasks. Ability to manage time effectively. Must have basic clerical skills (i.e.: typing copying, filing etc) and working knowledge of computers. Volunteers may have contact with public and children 0-18 years of age. May be required to lift boxes of 40 lbs. (volunteer opportunities Monday-Saturday)

Thank you for following these guidelines. If you still have questions, call Sharon Edwards at (512) 974-7443, Monday through Thursday, between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., or you may e-mail Sharon Edwards. Please do not fax or e-mail applications. Original signatures are required.

Sharon Edwards
Volunteer Services Coordinator
Austin Public Library
Post Office Box 2287
Austin, TX 78768-2287