Update: In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Austin Public Library has put a hold on the adult volunteer program. The library will not be able to process new volunteer applications until volunteer activities have resumed.
Volunteer Services strives to match your skills and interests with Library needs. We also strive to have a diverse volunteer program that reflects our community. Volunteer positions are open to all individuals who meet the qualifications (with or without reasonable accommodation) for each position regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or HIV status.
At this time, the Austin Public Library does not offer service projects for group volunteers. The following organizations offer volunteer opportunities for groups:
Find out how to apply for a volunteer opportunity HERE.
Usher Program (closed until further notice)
Do you want to run fun events for the public? Do you love the Library and want to help the public participate in programs? The library is looking to grow a team of volunteers to facilitate public programs. Special event volunteers provide ongoing assistance to APL with one-time events. Duties may include taking tickets, providing directional assistance, and helping customers participate in events. Volunteers are not required to meet a monthly time commitment, but will assist with special events on an as needed basis. Volunteers will help with public events such as the Adult Summer Reading Program, Million Mile Month, and other one-time programs. Event locations vary, shifts are between two and four hours. Interested in helping, but can't make any of the listed dates? Send in an application to be added to the team for future events.
Central Library (closed until further notice)
Circulation (Closed until further notice)
Volunteers arrange Library materials onto sorting carts in alphabetic and numeric order before shelving the materials in the stacks. Volunteers may also dust shelves, shelf read and help keep Library areas tidy. 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 2 hours. Minimum 6 month commitment required.Positions marked * are currently in the process of being filled.
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time
Docent Program (closed until further notice)
Do you love the New Central Library and want to show it off to the public? Do you enjoy working with people and providing information? Help us showcase our beautiful, new library. We are looking to build a team of volunteers to greet and provide tours to the public. Help us provide access to information in our world class facility. Interested volunteers will provide tours to the public upon request, as well as leading private planned tours. Volunteer opportunities are flexible, opportunities are available for a weekly time slot or arranged as needed. The docent program is currently full.
Children's Room Greeter (closed until further notice)
Want to make a difference in the busiest section of the new Central library? Do you like kids and can help them find great books to read? Join our Children's Greeter Team! The Children's Greeter Team welcomes the hundreds of families that come in on weekends to the Children's Room, helps customers find books, answers basic library questions, and helps keep the Children's Room tidy. This is also a great job for buddies so grab a friend and join us!
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time
Teen Area Hero (closed until further notice)
The Central Library is looking for a few good Teen Area Heros! The Teen area at the Central Library is a safe haven for teens to get together, collaborate, study and geek out over their passions. In order to make the space welcoming to teens, all seating in the room, and all activities, are reserved for those aged 13-18. Due to overwhelming popularity on weekends, we are seeking a few friendly folks who love working with teens to help us make the space welcoming for them by serving as Teen Area Heros.
This position is a good fit for people with strong communication and customer service skills, who have mastered the fine art of letting people down gently. Your primary responsibility will be welcoming people of all ages to Teen Central, and reminding adults and younger kids that seating in the room is reserved just for teens 13-18. Our teens will love you for making Teen Central a safe space reserved just for them.
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time
Creative Assistant (closed until further notice)
Calling all crafters! Austin Central Library is seeking a creative, detail-oriented volunteer to be responsible for creating storytime and craft materials for the youth librarians of the Austin Public Library. This volunteer’s efforts will support APL’s youth services staff in providing high quality, visually stimulating crafts and early-literacy storytime activities. This volunteer will be responsible for filling requests from librarians around the city for die cuts using an Ellison machine. There will be additional requests to make felt sets for Central storytime providers.
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time
Garden Volunteer (closed until further notice)
Are you interested in learning more about the native plants of the Texas Hill Country while also helping to maintain one of our city's prominent greenspaces? Garden volunteers work with the Austin Public Library Landscape Tech in our landscape beds and other designated areas to assist with planting, weeding, mulching, watering, pruning and propagation. In this position, you will have the opportunity to learn about urban landscaping challenges and ways to address them through hands on experience.
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time
Virtual Reality Technology Assistant (closed until further notice)
Volunteers are needed to guide the public through using VR technology in the Central Library Tech Petting Zoo. This position is customer service oriented and requires comfort with emerging technology. Training will be provided, hours are flexible.
Current needs:
- No openings at this time
Administrative (closed until further notice)
The Central Library is looking for a volunteer to assist with administrative duties and other projects. Volunteers must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) 2010 or later, experience doing simple design work in Adobe is a plus. This position requires volunteers to lift materials/boxes up to 25lbs and work with office equipment with or without reasonable accommodations. Volunteer duties will include filling materials orders for other branches in the library system, organization, sign making, data entry, and some word smithing.
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time
Branch Circulation (closed until further notice)
Volunteers arrange Library materials onto sorting carts in alphabetic and numeric order before shelving the materials in the stacks. Volunteers may also dust shelves, shelf read and help keep Library areas tidy. 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 2 hours. Minimum 3 month commitment required.Positions marked * are currently in the process of being filled.
Current needs:
Southeast Branch | 5803 Nuckols Crossing
- No opportunities at this time
Manchaca Road Branch| 5500 Menchaca Rpad
- No opportunities at this time
Twin Oaks Branch | 1800 S 5th St
- No opportunities at this time
North Village Branch | 2505 Steck Ave
- No opportunities at this time
Old Quarry Branch | 7051 Village Center Drive
- No opportunities at this time
Spicewood Springs Branch | 8637 Spicewood Springs Rd
- No opportunities at this time
Milwood Branch | 12500 Amherst Dr
- No opportunities at this time
Little Walnut Branch | 835 W Rundburg Ln
- No opportunities at this time
Windsor Park Branch | 5833 Westminster Dr
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No opportunities at this time
Central Library Bookstore (closed until further notice)
The fall/holiday shopping season is the busiest time of the year for the Central Library Gift Shop, we are seeking volunteers to provide additional support. Volunteers will keep the shop clean and tidy by restocking and straightening product, folding t-shirts, answering customer questions, and dusting/cleaning when necessary; no cash handling is required. Customer service and retail experience preferred.
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time
Recycled Reads | 5335 Burnet Road (closed until further notice)
Volunteers assist staff in sorting books and materials for recycling, repurposing, or re-sale. Duties involve unloading boxes, checking for damage, and sorting books by subject and value. This position requires volunteers to push carts up to 75 lbs. and to bend, stoop, and stretch and to work with office equipment with or without reasonable accommodations. Work is best suited for detail-oriented individuals. Previous experience working in retail and warehouse/stocking skills is helpful. Shifts are 2-4 hours with a minimum 6 month commitment required. Positions marked * are currently in the process of being filled.
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time
Community Programs (closed until further notice)
Volunteers develop curriculum and lead participants in various Library programs.
Community Navigation Volunteer
This role is designed to help patrons explore available community resources in Austin. While this is not a social worker or case worker position, volunteers will work directly with vulnerable populations to assist with finding information on local shelters/affordable housing, employment, and local food pantries. Preferred qualifications include experience in direct customer service and working with diverse populations, as well as experience using online tools to identify community resources.
Current needs:
Willie Mae Kirk Branch | 3101 Oak Springs Dr
- No opportunities at this time
Music and Movement Storytime Assistant (closed until further notice)
This volunteer will help our Youth Librarian durin gthe very active Music and Movement program for children ages 3-5. The program focuses on the Sing and Play recommendations for early literacy which helps develop gross motor skills, listening skills, and social skills, while introducing new vocabulary
Current needs:
Hampton Branch at Oak Hill | 5125 Convict Hill Rd
- No opportunities available at this time
Toddler and Preschool Storytime Assistant (closed until further notice)
This volunteer will help our Youth Librarian during Toddler and Preschool Storytime for children ages 18 months and up. Storytime includes all sorts of fun activities to help kids develop readin skills, listening skills, and social skills.
Current needs:
Hampton Branch at Oak Hill | 5125 Convict Hill Rd
- No opportunities at this time
Twin Oaks Branch | 1800 S 5th St
- No opportunities at this time
Sign Language Talk Time (closed until further notice)
Sign Language Talk Time is a program for ASL conversation practice with other ASL learners and signing volunteers. Talk Time is not a formal class, but rather a place for participants to fine-tune their ASLin a relaxed environment. Volunteers facilitate conversation to help and encourage participants to sign in a safe and non-threatening environment. An ideal volunteer would be a native signer prepared to help others with their ASL.
Current needs:
Central Library | 710 W Cesar Chavez St
- No opportunities at this time
Howson Branch | 2500 Exposition Blvd
- No opportunities at this time
Ruiz Branch | 1600 Grove Blvd
- No opportunities at this time
Talk Time (closed until further notice)
Talk Time is a program for English conversation practice with other English language learners and English speaking volunteers. Talk Time is not a formal English class, but rather a place for participants to fine-tune their English in a relaxed environment. Volunteers facilitate conversation to help and encourage participants to speak English in a safe and non-threatening environment.
Current needs:
Southeast Branch | 5803 Nuckols Crossing
- No opportunities at this time
Practiquemos Espanol (closed until further notice)
Volunteers plan and lead Spanish conversational groups. Participants practice speaking Spanish in a safe, non-threatening, and relaxed environment. This position requires a mastery of the Spanish language and a 6 month commitment. Native speakers preferred.
Current needs:
Southeast Branch | 5803 Nuckols Crossing
- No opportunities at this time
Craft Assistant (closed until further notice)
One volunteer is needed to assist with preparing crafts for youth programs.
Current needs:
St. John Branch | 7500 Blessing Ave
- No opportunities at this time
Youth Program Assistant (closed until further notice)
The Youth Program Assistant will help with school age kids and tweens who like to hang out, play computer and card games, and craft. An ideal candidate would feel confident with technology and could provide minor computer assistance to kids playing Fortnite, Roblox and Minecraft and would enjoy playing computer or videogames when the opportunity arises.
Current needs:
Milwood Branch | 12500 Amherst Dr
- No opportunities at this time
Ukulele Club Assistant (closed until further notice)
The Manchaca Branch hosts a Ukulele Club every fourth Wednesday of the month from 5:30- 7pm. Staff are looking for the following volunteers to help with the program.
Manchaca Road Branch Library | 5500 Manchaca Road
- No opportunities at this time
Austin History Center (closed until further notice)
Would you like to work with unique one of kind historical items? Do you have an interest in learning more about local history? Then check out these volunteer opportunities at the Austin History Center! The Austin History Center is the local history division of the Austin Public Library. The History Center 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.
Austin History Center volunteers are requested to work 2-10 hours per week with a regular schedule for a minimum of 3 months. Hours can be worked during any of the History Center’s public hours. The History Center is closed to the public on Mondays.
Current needs:
- No opportunities at this time
Social Media Ambassador
Support the Library by becoming a Social Media Ambassador. Help raise the awareness of APL on social media while raising our awareness of you--our best supporter! Sign up HERE. No minimum commitment or volunteer application required!
Don't see a volunteer position for you? Contact Volunteer Services 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.
Support the Library by volunteering for the Austin History Center Association! They are looking for Oral History, Administrative, and Community Program volunteers. This is NOT an Austin Public Library volunteer opportunity. Check out their website for full details and to complete AHCA's volunteer application process.
Support literacy by volunteering for the VICTORY tutoring program! They are looking for volunteers to provide 1:1 tutoring in grades 1-12 in a variety of academic subjects. This is NOT an Austin Public Library volunteer opportunity, however, many VICTORY locations are located in APL branches. Check out their website for full details and to complete VICTORY's volunteer application process.
