Adult Volunteer Opportunities link
Our most valued volunteer candidates are those that enjoy interacting with the general public and providing great customer service.
Please choose one or more of the available volunteer opportunities listed below. New opportunities are regularly posted to this page, so please check back if there is not currently an open opportunity that matches your skills and interests.
Don't see a volunteer position for you?
Please contact Volunteer Services Coordinator Paul Lopez at 512-974-7443 or APL.Volunteers@austintexas.gov and tell us what you want to do. We will see if this potential volunteer position supports the Austin Public Library commitment to our community.
ASL Practice Leader - Assistance with an American Sign Language Conversational Program
ASL Practice Leader - Assistance with an American Sign Language Conversational Program link
Volunteer instructors help lead Austin Public Library's ASL Practice program, which is offered free to the public. It is an opportunity for library customers eager to develop stronger conversational ASL to be able to do so in a safe environment. Volunteers must be fluent in conversational ASL.
Current needs:
Twin Oaks Branch | 1800 S. 5th St.
- Thursdays 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Central Library Children's Room Greeter
Central Library Children's Room Greeter link
The Children's Room at the Central Library is one of the busiest places in all of APL, especially on the weekend. We are seeking highly motivated, go-getter volunteers to assist our Youth Services team to welcome visitors, answer questions, help customers seek youth materials, and other tasks as they arise. This position requires previous experience working with youth.
Current needs:
- Sundays - 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Central Library Programs and Events Volunteer Pool
Central Library Programs and Events Volunteer Pool link
Our Central Library programming and events team is looking for additions to their Central Library volunteer pool. These volunteers would help out with programming and events at the Central Library that come up about once a month or more. These volunteers are requested to be familiar with the Central Library layout, be prepared to provide excellent customer service, and be flexible to an array of tasks at any given program or event. Volunteers who can walk or take the bus are most preferred to leave plenty of room in our parking lot for event attendees.
Current needs:
- Now accepting applications!
Seed Collection Assistant
Seed Collection Assistant link
Many of our branches host a Seed Collection. Our Seed Collection is a repository and exchange system for seeds of land race, heirloom, locally adapted and native varieties of fruits and vegetable, and other useful plants in Central Texas. Everyone is welcome to check out seeds from the collection and return seeds from their harvest to keep the collection growing. Some of our Seed Collections are organized, maintained, and managed by volunteers. This is a weekly volunteer position, which includes co-hosting Seed Gatherings at the branch once a month. Knowledge on gardening is a request.
Current needs:
Yarborough Branch | 2200 Hancock Dr.
- Saturdays - 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Storytime Assistant
Storytime Assistant link
Our Storytimes are one of the most popular things the Austin Public Library offers to the public. We are seeking volunteers to help make our Storytimes continue to be a successful part of what we offer to the public. Volunteer duties include set up, customer service, assisting youth librarians, passing out supplemental materials, take down, and other duties as assigned. Please note that the actual Storytime reading/performing is done by the youth librarians.
Current needs:
Yarborough Branch | 2200 Hancock Dr.
- Mondays - 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Branch Circulation
Branch Circulation link
Our circulation volunteers help with all things circulation in our branches. This includes customer service, putting items back on shelves, pulling holds, tidying book shelves, and so much more. This position requires volunteers to push carts up to 75 pounds and to bend, stoop, and stretch with or without reasonable accommodations. The position is best suited for those who love to organize and like to work independently. Shifts are two hours with a minimum three month commitment required.
Current needs:
Yarborough Branch | 2200 Hancock Dr.
- Mondays - two hour shift between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Austin History Center
Austin History Center link
RE-OPENING POSTPONED TO THE FALL: The Austin History Center (800 Guadalupe St.) is a part of the Austin Public Library system. The History Center recently moved to a new, larger building and they are seeking to expand their volunteer pool to coincide with the grand re-opening. There are several positions available. The History Center is open Wednesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Sundays 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Current needs:
- Our volunteer needs at the Austin History Center will be updated soon!
Board Game Time at the Library Program Assistant
Board Game Time at the Library Program Assistant link
This volunteer position is a six month commitment to co-facilitating our Board Game Time at the Library Program. We are looking for volunteers who have experience with adult games (cooperative, strategy, resource management). Some examples include Ticket to Ride, Tesseract, Harmonies, Forbidden Island, Robo Rally, Azul, Splendor, and Skull. This volunteer role seeks someone with customer service experience, who is comfortable leading attendees in learning to play games and playing with attendees. While Board Game Time at the Library would only happen once a month, this is a weekly volunteer position due to curating, upkeeping, inventorying, and other duties to maintain the Board Game Time at the Library collection. The commitment is a flexible two hour shift per week on non-program weeks, and a scheduled two hour shift on programming weeks. We are excited to take on a volunteer who is enthusiastic about games!
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time.
ESL Talk Time - Assistance with English as a Second Language Program
ESL Talk Time - Assistance with English as a Second Language Program link
APL's English as a Second Language (ESL) program is a safe space for customers interested in strengthening their English language skills to come and practice with patient, kind, and helpful staff and volunteers. It's very rewarding for both volunteers and customers. The program encourages conversational English around structured topics.
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time.
Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master for Tweens/Teens D&D
Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master for Tweens/Teens D&D link
Some branches of the Austin Public Library host Dungeons & Dragons programming for tweens and tweens. We are looking for adult volunteers who can help be Dungeon Masters for our programming. Must have experience both playing D&D and being a DM.
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time.
Recycled Reads Bookstore Assistant
Recycled Reads Bookstore Assistant link
5335 Burnet Road
Recycled Reads is Austin Public Library’s used bookstore. All proceeds benefit APL. Recycled Reads volunteers assist staff in sorting books and other materials for re-sale, repurposing, or recycling, as well as general retail space duties. This position requires volunteers to push carts up to 75 lbs. and to bend, stoop, and work with office equipment with or without reasonable accommodations, at times briefly outdoors. This position is best suited for customer service-ready, self-motivated, and detail oriented individuals accustomed to working in a fast-paced environment, with a preference on volunteers with bookstore or library experience. Shifts are four hours long, with a minimum commitment of six months requested.
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time.
Practiquemos Español the Spanish Language Learning Group
Practiquemos Español the Spanish Language Learning Group link
Volunteers plan and lead Spanish language conversational groups. Participants practice speaking Spanish in a safe, non-judgmental, and relaxed environment. This position requires a mastery of the Spanish language and a six month commitment. Native speakers preferred.
Current needs:
No opportunities at this time.