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:

• Saturdays 12pm-6pm | 2 volunteers needed for a weekly shift
• Sundays12pm-6pm | 2 volunteers needed for a weekly shift
• Thursdays 12pm-7pm | 2 volunteers needed for a weekly shift
• Fridays 12pm-6pm | 2 volunteers needed for a weekly shift*

Reuse Program Assistant

Recycled Reads is taking reuse and repair programming to the different Austin Public Library branches around the city.

We are looking for volunteer Program Assistants, to set up and break down for programs/events, check-in attendees, and provide general assistance to the presenter during the program. Setting-up and breaking-down will include tasks such as setting up tables, moving chairs, restoring space and supplies, and clean-up after program, along with generally assisting the presenter. Checking-in attendees will involve tasks such as marking a name off of a list and having attendees read and sign a waiver. We will provide you with a bag of check-in materials to keep on-hand to bring with you to the programs.

The programs are located in various library branches across the city. Reliable transportation is required.

When no program is scheduled, the shift will be at Recycled Reads to perform administrative tasks or work in other areas of the bookstore. This could include tasks such as maintaining a database for a special project, labeling items, filing, shelving, as well as other tasks as assigned.

Skills we are seeking include familiarity with data entry, Microsoft Windows, Excel and Word. Strong interpersonal skills and attention to detail are necessary for these positions.

Customer service and working with the public experience is ideal.

This position requires moving items up to 75 lbs., and the ability to bend, stoop, reach, stretch and work with office equipment, with or without reasonable accommodations.

Weekly 3 hour shifts with a minimum 6 month commitment required.

Current needs:

• Saturdays 10am-1pm | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly shift
• Saturdays 12:30pm-3:30pm | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly shift

Volunteers develop curriculum and lead participants in various Library programs.

Practiquemos Español

The Milwood branch is looking for 2 fluent Spanish speakers to help lead a language practice program. Practiquemos Español is not a language class, rather it is a place for participants to fine-tune their Spanish speaking skills in a relaxed environment. 

Current needs:

Twin Oaks Branch | 1800 S 5th St

• The last Tuesday of the month 6:30pm-8:30pm |1 volunteer needed for a monthly 2 hour shift

Youth Program Assistant

The St. John Branch is looking for a Youth Program Assistant to 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. 

St John Branch Library | 7500 Blessing Ave

• Weekdays 3-5pm | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 2 hour shift

Ukulele Club Assistant

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

• 1 volunteer needed for a monthly 1-2 hour shift to help set up or take down, and assist with the slide presentation. Music knowledge is not required.
• 2 Volunteers who play ukulele at an intermediate to advance level for a 1-2 hours shift to help lead the program or help participants with any questions they might have.

Virtual Reality Technology Assistant

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:

Central Library | 710 W Cesar Chavez St

• 3 volunteers needed for a weekly 2 hour shift

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.

Current needs:

Asian American Collections Volunteer

Would you like to work with unique one of a kind historical items?

 Do you have an interest in learning more about local Asian American & Pacific Islander history?

Collections Volunteers provide an important service in the work they do with the AHC’s various archival collections.

Overview: 

Asian American collections volunteers will work with the Asian American Community Archivist on specific parts of these AAPI collections to file and rehouse the material. Volunteers can expect to work with original documents such as periodicals, vertical files, photographs, audiovisual material, architectural files, archives and manuscripts, and maps.

Primary Duties:

· Data entry for updates to databases and various tools used to track records

• Research and writing on local AAPI community members and organizations
• Filing and rehousing of material
• Preservation duties for assigned records

Qualifications:

• Experience with archival resources
• Proficiency with computers/ technology
• Preferred experience with Microsoft Access

· Preferred interest and knowledge in Asian American studies and/or history

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to use various computer and office equipment.
• Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 40 lbs.

Training: Volunteers will complete introductory training with History Center staff. Training is expected to take first full volunteer session.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If reasonable accommodations are needed to fully participate in the program, then an accommodation request form and meeting may be needed prior to the program start. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. All requests for reasonable accommodation are carefully considered and decisions are made in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Time Commitment :2 – 10 hours (6 months minimum preferred).

· Anytime during open hours Tuesday – Saturdays 10 AM – 6 PM / Sunday 12 – 6 PM at the Austin History Center (810 Guadalupe St, 78701)

Cataloger

· Do you want to maintain cataloging skills acquired at the UT School of Information?

· Do you want to gain firsthand experience doing copy and original cataloging?

Volunteer Catalogers are an important part of how the AHC manages accessibility to our collections, by creating catalog entries for our newly processed material.

Overview: 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.

As part of these collections the History Center maintains a general collection of more than 22,000 items, including books, local government documents, and unpublished reports documenting the history and current activities of Austin and Travis County. The items in the general collection are maintained as part of the Austin Public Library Catalog.

Volunteer will create copy and original catalog entries based on current standards. They will maintain the catalog and exercise authority control over entries for the History Center.

Primary Duties:

· Perform original and copy cataloging of all formats of History Center materials.

· Apply library standards for cataloging, including AACR2, Library of Congress subject headings, Dewey Decimal system, etc…

• Provide inventory support

Qualifications:

· Experience in original and copy cataloging and classification of library materials using Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress classifications, LC subject headings, MARC records, and AACR2.

• Experience with computerized cataloging programs.
• Be a minimum of 18 years old.

· Completion of an APL volunteer application and orientation prior to start.

· Completion of a successful criminal background investigation prior to start.

• Complete required training (see below for details) prior to start.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to use various computer and office equipment.

Training: Volunteers will complete introductory training with History Center staff. Training is expected to take first full volunteer session.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If reasonable accommodations are needed to fully participate in the program, then an accommodation request form and meeting may be needed prior to the program start. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. All requests for reasonable accommodation are carefully considered and decisions are made in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Time Commitment :2 – 10 hours (6 months minimum preferred).

Anytime during open hours Tuesday – Saturdays 10 AM – 6 PM / Sunday 12 – 6 PM at the Austin History Center (810 Guadalupe St, 78701)

Austin American Statesman Photo Morgue Collections Volunteer

• Would you like to work with unique one of a kind historical items?
• Do you have an interest in learning more about local history?

Collections Volunteers provide an important service in the work they do with the AHC’s various archival collections.

Overview: 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.

Collections volunteers will work with specific parts of these collections to file and rehouse the material. Volunteers can expect to work with original documents such as periodicals, vertical files, photographs, audiovisual material, architectural files, archives and manuscripts, and maps.

Primary Duties:

· Data entry for updates to databases and various tools used to track records

• Filing and rehousing of material
• Preservation duties for assigned records

Qualifications:

• Experience with archival resources
• Proficiency with computers/ technology
• Preferred experience with Microsoft Access

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to use various computer and office equipment.
• Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 40 lbs.

Training: Volunteers will complete introductory training with History Center staff. Training is expected to take first full volunteer session.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If reasonable accommodations are needed to fully participate in the program, then an accommodation request form and meeting may be needed prior to the program start. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. All requests for reasonable accommodation are carefully considered and decisions are made in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Time Commitment :2 – 10 hours (6 months minimum preferred).

· Anytime during open hours Tuesday – Saturdays 10 AM – 6 PM / Sunday 12 – 6 PM at the Austin History Center (810 Guadalupe St, 78701)