Adult Volunteer Opportunities

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.

Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master for Tweens/Teens

Our very popular Tween Dungeons & Dragons programs are co-facilitated by volunteer Dungeon Masters. Volunteers for this program assist with set-up and take down, customer service, explaining the rules of D&D, being a Dungeon Master, and other relevant tasks as needed. We are seeking experienced Dungeon Masters, with experience working with youth being a plus. This volunteer position is enjoyable and highly rewarding. We ask for a regular six month commitment with this position.

Current needs:

Little Walnut Creek Branch | 835 W. Rundberg Ln.

1st and 3rd Saturdays each month - 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

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Coding4All Program Assistant

Are you passionate about coding, creativity, and building community relationships? We're looking for volunteers to help lead Coding4All, a free workshop that prioritizes all marginalized genders, including but not limited to trans women, cis women, trans men, non-binary, intersex, gender nonconforming, two-spirit, and questioning folx. We aim to help bring opportunity and gender parity to all those traditionally excluded from the tech industry. We are seeking adult volunteers who have familiarity with JavaScript or p5.js, strong communication or interpersonal skills, patience and enthusiasm for working with learners of diverse backgrounds and skill levels, ability to work collaboratively with library staff and fellow volunteers, and able to create or follow creative coding lesson plans. This volunteer opportunity is a six month commitment request.

Current needs:

Central Library | 710 W. Cesar Chavez St.

Every 2nd Tuesday of the month starting October 13 - 5:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m.

Yarborough Branch | 2200 Hancock Dr.

Every 3rd Tuesday of the month starting October 20 - 5:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m.

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American Sign Language Practice Program

The Austin Public Library offers various language learning programs, including an American Sign Language Practice program. Our program is a safe, nonjudgmental space where customers can come to work on their ASL skills with volunteers and other library customers. We are seeking kind, patient volunteers fluent in using American Sign Language to help co-facilitate this library program to our customers. We are requesting a weekly, six-month commitment in this volunteer role.

Current needs:

Twin Oaks Branch | 1800 S. Fifth St.

Thursdays - 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

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English Language Talk Time

The Austin Public Library offers volunteer opportunities to help co-facilitate our free Talk Time program for customers interested in working on their conversational English language skills. We are seeking volunteers who can assist staff in creating a welcoming environment where adult learners can practice their English in a safe, kind, and nonjudgmental space. This volunteer opportunity is a six month commitment request.

Current needs:

Little Walnut Creek Branch | 835 W. Rundberg Ln.

Mondays - 6:15 p.m.-7:45 p.m.

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Library Materials Circulation

Our circulation volunteers are weekly volunteers who 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 full book carts and to bend, stoop, stretch, and be on your feet for long periods of time with or without reasonable accommodations. The position is best suited for those who love to organize, are detail-oriented, and like to work independently. Shifts are two to four hours with a minimum three month commitment requested. Please note that this can be a physically demanding way to volunteer with us.

Current needs:

Central Library | 710 W. Cesar Chavez St. *Central Library circulation spots are reserved for volunteers in library school or with an MLS/MLIS degree

Wednesdays - 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. (volunteer pending)
Saturdays - 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (volunteer pending)

Milwood Branch | 12500 Amherst Dr.

Wednesdays - two hour afternoon shift (volunteer pending)
Thursdays - two hour afternoon shift (volunteer pending)

Yarborough Branch | 2200 Hancock Dr.

Fridays - any two hour shift during open hours (volunteer pending)

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Central Library Programs and Events Volunteer Pool

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. We ask for a six month commitment in this role.

Current needs:

Now accepting applications!

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Practiquemos Español - The Spanish Language Learning Group

Practiquemos Español is the Austin Public Library's free conversational Spanish language learning group. It is a safe, non-judgmental, and friendly space for library customers to come in and work on their conversational Spanish language skills. We are seeking volunteers at various branches to co-facilitate our program who are fluent in both Spanish and English, and are excellent at speaking slowly and clearly for early language learners.

Current needs:

No opportunities at this time.

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Austin History Center

As the local history division of the Austin Public Library, the Austin History Center, located downtown (800 Guadalupe St.), provides the public with information about the history, current events, and activities of Austin and Travis County. We collect and preserve information about local governments, businesses, residents, institutions, and neighborhoods so that generations to come will have access to our history.

No opportunities at this time.

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Beginner Spanish Lessons

The Austin Public Library periodically hosts weekly language learning classes based around a curriculum, typically for a three-month period. Right now we are seeking patient and kind Spanish speaking volunteers who can co-facilitate a Beginner Spanish Lessons class. Previous teaching experience is not a requirement but it is a plus.

Current needs:

No opportunities at this time.

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Computer/Tech Assistance

At the Austin Public Library, we serve lots of customers in many ways, including offering free-to-use computers and similar tech. Often times our customers have questions about computers, computer usage, internet inquiries, and other basic asks that often times staff do not have the capacity, time, or knowledge to be able to answer. We are seeking volunteers who are moderately tech savvy and ready to provide our customers with this kind of computer/tech assistance. This is a great volunteer opportunity to perform while studying or reading in-between customer interactions. We request a three-month or six-month commitment in this role.

Current needs:

No opportunities at this time.

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Storytime Assistant

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 various types and age ranges of Storytimes continue to be a successful part of what we offer to the public for free. 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. We do ask for a minimum of a six month commitment with this role. Again, there are several age ranges that our Storytimes serve.

Current needs:

No opportunities at this time.

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Children's Room Greeter

The Children's Rooms at our library locations are 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, shelve library materials, and other tasks as they arise. This position requires previous experience working with youth. We ask for a three-month commitment with this volunteer opportunity.

Current needs:

No opportunities at this time.

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