Volunteer with Austin Public Library
Volunteers are an integral part of our team and a valuable asset to the Library and Austin community. With volunteer positions to match most schedules and interests, the Austin Public Library is a highly rewarding place to donate your time and skills.
Volunteer onboarding with the Library includes a background check, attending volunteer orientation, and a readiness for providing excellent customer service.
Adult Volunteer Program
Adult Volunteer Program link
The Adult Volunteer Program is seeking motivated, highly flexible, diverse, customer service-ready volunteers who can't wait to be a part of the library experience. All library volunteer positions are customer service-oriented.
- Go to our Volunteer Opportunities tab to find an open volunteer opportunity that matches your skills and interests.
- Applicants must be 17 years or older by the date of the application.
- For the application process, APL has partnered with the volunteer website GivePulse. Please complete an application through the APL GivePulse site.
- If applicable, complete an additional Volunteer Accommodation Form.
- Complete the volunteer screening process, including interviews.
- Accept a placement offer.
** Please note: Not all interviews/applications result in a placement offer.** - Attend mandatory volunteer orientation.
- Complete a successful criminal background investigation.
- Commit to volunteering for a minimum of three months at two hours per week. Some positions may request more.
- Commit to regularly recording volunteer hours into the GivePulse database for tracking volunteer hours.
Volunteer Opportunities
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:
Windsor Park Branch | 5833 Westminster Dr.
- Mondays - 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. (two hour shift within timeframe)
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:
- Saturdays - 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
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:
Terrazas Branch | 1105 E. César Chávez St.
- Mondays - 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
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.
Teen Volunteer Program
Teen Volunteer Program link
The Fall Youth Volunteer Program begins the week of October 6.
Applications Accepted During the Following dates:
Fall (runs October - December) applications due between July 1-31
Spring (runs March - May) applications due between December 1-31
Summer (runs June - July) applications due between March 1-31
What does the Summer, Fall, and Spring Youth Volunteer Program look like?
Youth volunteers help staff in various duties around the library. Most youth volunteers traditionally assist the Youth Services librarians with circulation, programs, and/or program preparation. Duties may include:
- program planning
- preparing programming materials
- program set-up and take down
- supervising and assisting participants during programs
- re-shelving books
- running specialized clubs for teens
- light clean up
Volunteer duties and positions will vary depending on the summer and the location. Applicants requesting a reasonable volunteer accommodation can request an Accommodation Request Form from the volunteer coordinator.
What are the program dates and time for Fall and Spring?
The program runs 10 weeks from either October - December (fall) or March - May (spring). Youth volunteers work a 2 hour shift, once per week and all positions are unpaid. Youth volunteers are traditionally placed during after school hours or on weekends. Additional placements may be available during weekday business hours (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM) if it does not interfere with school. Individual schedules will be determined by library needs, supervisor availability, and the youth’s availability.
What are the program dates and time for Summer?
The summer program runs 8 weeks, June - July each summer. Youth volunteers work a 4 hour shift, once per week and all positions are unpaid. Individual schedules will be determined by supervisor availability, library needs, and the youth’s availability. Youth can be placed Monday through Sunday, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM, depending on the volunteer role.
What are the program locations?
Many APL locations--although not all locations--will host an APL Youth Volunteer. Possible reasons why some locations will not be included are: the location is not taking on youth volunteers for that season, location closures for renovations, or the location is working with another youth placement program.
In order to participate in this program, you must:
- Be 13 to 17 years old.
Those 17 years of age are also eligible for the Adult Volunteer Program. - Be no younger than 13 years of age and no older than 17 years of age by August 1 (fall), December 1 (spring) or May 1 (summer).
- Complete the online application when posted.
- Complete an additional Volunteer Accommodation Request Form if applicable. Request a form from APL.Volunteers@austintexas.gov.
- Be available for an interview with the Austin Public Library volunteer coordinator.
- Accept a placement offer. **Please note: Not all applications result in a placement offer.**
- Complete a successful background check. This will include fingerprinting (ages 15 and older) for applicants that have lived outside the state of Texas in the last ten years.
- Attend mandatory youth volunteer orientation.
- Commit to volunteering one 2 hour shift per week during the fall (October - December) or spring (March - May) program season. Commit to volunteering one 4 hour shift per week, during the summer program session (June - July).
- Commit to having no more than two absences during the program season.
How do I apply?
Applications will be posted at the top of this webpage during the application window for each session. Complete the online application.
What happens after I apply?
The volunteer coordinator will review applications and try to find a placement for as many applicants as possible.
When will I know whether I am accepted?
We typically receive more youth volunteer applications than we are able to find placement for. Acceptance emails will be sent telling applicants whether they have been accepted into the program. Applicants will have three business days to respond. After three business days Volunteer Services may rescind the offer in order to fill the placement with another qualified applicant. Completing an application does not guarantee a placement
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Please contact Volunteer Services Coordinator Paul Lopez at APL.Volunteers@austintexas.gov with any questions you may have.
Community Service & Educational Opportunities
Community Service & Educational Opportunities link
Austin Public Library accepts volunteers looking to fulfill community service requirements, it's a lot of fun and highly rewarding! The volunteer approval process can take up to a month and you must meet the criteria listed below. In order to be considered for community service hours, applicants must:
1. Be willing to complete a minimum of 24 community service hours (adults) or 20 hours (youth) for a minimum of three months-- at a Library location that has a current volunteer need. Volunteers may not work more hours than is needed by their Library location in order to complete their service in less than three months.
2. Have a community service completion deadline that is at least 4 months in advance of your application submission.
3. Check out our current volunteer opportunities to see if there is a match for your skills and interests. APL does not have dedicated community service volunteer positions.
4. Go through the Adult Volunteer Application or Youth Volunteer Application process. Applicants will also need to sign a Volunteer Education and Community Service Acknowledgement Form during the orientation process, if selected to be a volunteer. Volunteer applications are only accepted for current volunteer opportunities. Submission of an application does not guarantee a volunteer placement.
5. Complete an interview, a successful criminal background investigation, and APL volunteer orientation prior to starting your volunteer position. This process will include fingerprinting for those who have lived outside the state within the last seven years and are 15 years or older. This process may take an additional 14 to 21 business days if fingerprinting is needed.
The Austin Public Library does not accept court ordered community service requests for the following offenses: felonies, violent crime (felony or misdemeanor), crimes against children (felony or misdemeanor), or theft (felony or misdemeanor). The City of Austin Human Resources Department will review all other offenses.
Information on other organizations that accept community service volunteers can be found here.
Please contact Volunteer Services Coordinator Paul Lopez at 512-974-7443 (or Relay Texas 711) or APL.Volunteers@austintexas.gov with any questions you may have.
Group Volunteering
Group Volunteering link
Austin Public Library does not offer one time-service projects for group volunteers.
The following organizations offer volunteer opportunities for groups:
Central Library MLS/MLIS Interns - Adult or Teen Services
Central Library MLS/MLIS Interns - Adult or Teen Services link
Are you currently pursuing a Master's degree at an accredited library school? We take on interns at the Central Library!
The Central Library has an internship program for students currently pursuing a Master's degree that is accredited by the American Library Association, with a focus on interns wanting to eventually work in a public library setting. The tasks assigned to interns are much larger in responsibility than a "typical" volunteer role, with an aim to better prepare you for the library field.
Central Library Adult Services | 701 W. Cesar Chavez St.
- No opportunities at this time
Central Library Teen Central | 701 W. Cesar Chavez St.
- Saturdays or Sundays - three hour shift
Contact
Volunteer Services Coordinator
Paul Lopez at 512-974-7443 (Relay Texas 711) or APL.Volunteers@austintexas.gov to learn more.
