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.
Central Library Children's Room Greeter
Central Library Children's Room Greeter link
Want to make a difference in the busiest section of the Central Library? Do you have experience working with children? Come welcome families, help kids find books, answer basic questions, and help keep the Children's Room tidy. This is also a great job for buddies so grab a friend and apply together!
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time
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:
Menchaca Road Branch | 5500 Menchaca Rd.
- Sundays - 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
APL Innovation Lab Sound Engineering/Recording Intern
APL Innovation Lab Sound Engineering/Recording Intern link
Are you enrolled in a sound engineering/recording program at your college or university? The Central Library's Innovation Lab is looking for an intern to help with projects in their sound lab. This is meant to be a learning opportunity for those enrolled in school and looking to enter the sound field, so this internship is for actively enrolled college or university students-only that are taking classes related to the field. Come check us out!
Current needs:
-
Now accepting applications!
Central Library Gift Shop Assistant
Central Library Gift Shop Assistant link
The Central Library's gift shop is looking for customer service-oriented volunteers, ideally with retail experience. Duties include greeting visitors, becoming knowledgeable on products offered, helping customers navigate the building and surrounding area, and completing the gift shop experience.
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. Duties include unloading heavy boxes, checking materials for damage, sorting materials by subject and value, and shelving. 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. Shifts are four hours long, with a minimum commitment of six months requested.
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time
Chess or Dominos Club Facilitator
Chess or Dominos Club Facilitator link
We need chess or dominos lovers who want to help facilitate our Chess or Dominos Clubs! Set up, take down, explanation of rules, match partners, game monitoring, and all things chess/dominos.
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time
Game Night at the Library
Game Night at the Library link
Do you love playing board games? We're looking for a volunteer to both curate our localized branch board game collection and assist with running our tentatively bi-weekly Game Night at the Library program. We have a wide range of modern and traditional board games that we want our customers to be able to enjoy fully.
Current needs:
Yarborough Branch | 2200 Hancock Dr.
- Tuesdays - 5:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m.
After School Activities Assistance
After School Activities Assistance link
We are a popular spot for after school tweens and teens! Beyond usual library materials, we also offer crafts, learning materials, and activities that are a big hit. We are looking for volunteers to help our staff and youth librarians offer these opportunities for our 50+ daily youth visitors.
Current needs:
Twin Oaks Branch | 1800 S. 5th St.
- Wednesdays, 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (two volunteer spots)
ESL Class Instruction - Assistance with leading an English as a Second Language program
ESL Class Instruction - Assistance with leading an English as a Second Language program link
Volunteer instructors help lead Austin Public Library's ESL Class programming, which is offered free to the public. It is an opportunity for library customers eager to develop stronger basic ESL skills to be able to do so in a safe environment.
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
Youth Storytime Assistant
Youth Storytime Assistant link
This volunteer position assists our Youth Librarians with putting on our popular Storytimes. This position helps with organization, crowd control, answering questions, head count, prepping materials, set up, take down, interacting with customers, and other duties as assigned. Unfortunately, this position does not include reading aloud, as this is reserved for our Youth Librarians.
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time
Central Library Marketing Team assistant
Central Library Marketing Team assistant link
Our marketing team at the Central Library is looking for a self-motivated, detail-oriented assistant to help with organizing their in-person materials and promotional items. This position has a decent amount of lifting and opening boxes. May also include some light clerical and computer duties.
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time.