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.
We accept adult volunteer applications for currently available volunteer opportunities only.
Find out how to apply for a volunteer opportunity HERE.
Opportunities as of 2/7/2019
Usher Program
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.
New Central Library Docent Program
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.
Central Children's Floor
Greeter
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
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:
- Saturdays 10am-1pm | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 3 hour shift
- Saturdays 1pm-4pm | 2 volunteers needed for a weekly 3 hour shift
- Saturdays 3pm-6pm | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 3 hour shift
- Sundays 1pm-4pm | 2 volunteers needed for a weekly 3 hour shift
Circulation
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:
Old Quarry Branch | 7051 Village Center Dr
- Thursday 6-8pm | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
- Saturday 2-4pm | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
- Weekdays anytime during open hours | 3 volunteers needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
Spicewood Springs Branch | 8637 Spicewood Springs Rd
- Fridays 9-11am | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
- Saturdays 12-2pm | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
Twin Oaks Branch | 1800 S 5th St
- Tuesdays 12pm-4pm | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
- Saturdays 12-2pm | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
Manchaca Road Branch | 5500 Manchaca Rd
- Tuesdays 9-11am | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
- Wednesdays during open hours | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
- Thursdays during open hours | 2 volunteers needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
Little Walnut Branch | 835 W Rundburg Ln
- Anytime during open hours | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
Administrative
None at this time
Recycled Reads | 5335 Burnet Road
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 hours with a minimum 6 month commitment required. Positions marked * are currently in the process of being filled.
Current needs:
- Saturdays 12pm-4pm | 2 volunteers needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
- Sundays1-5pm | 2 volunteers needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
- Wednesdays 11am-5pm | 3 volunteers needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
- Thursdays 10am-7pm | 3 volunteers needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
- Fridays 10am-6pm | 3 volunteers needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
Community Programs
Volunteers develop curriculum and lead participants in various Library programs.
Board with Books
The Austin Public Library needs you to share your love of board games with the community! The Central Library is looking for a volunteer to teach and play board games during the Board with Books program. Volunteers should be familiar with traditional board games (e.g. Scrabble) and modern board games (e.g. Settlers of Catan).Volunteer duties include: setting up the program, teaching/demonstrating board games, and cleaning up the program. Volunteers should have strong social skills as well as a passion for a variety of board games.
Central Library | 710 W Cesar Chavez
Current needs:
- First Tuesday of the Month 5:45-9pm | 1 volunteers needed for a monthly 3 hour 15 minute shift
Book Club
The Ruiz Branch is looking for a volunteer to start and host a book club at their branch of the library. Theme and content are designed by the volunteer.
Ruiz Branch Library | 1600 Grove Blvd
Current needs:
- 1 volunteer needed for a monthly 2 hour shift, dates and times negotiable
Talk Time
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.
Spicewood Springs Branch Library | 8637 Spicewood Springs Rd
- Saturdays 10-12pm | 1 volunteer needed for a monthly 2 hour shift
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:
Milwood Branch Library | 12500 Amherst Dr
- Thursday 2:30pm-4:30pm | 2 volunteers needed for a monthly 2 hour shift
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
We are looking for a Youth Program Assistant at the Milwood branch! This volunteer will help our Youth Librarian during various youth programs for children ages 3 and up. The programs offer all sorts of fun activities to help kids develop reading skills, listening skills, and social skills. Some programs expose kids to STEM learning and different cultures. Volunteers will help the Youth Services Librarian prepare the room, assist during the program, and help clean up following the program. This position requires volunteers to move items up to 25lbs, be friendly and energetic, and the bend, stoop, and stretch with or without reasonable accommodations. Volunteers should enjoy working and interacting with children and families.
Current needs:
Milwood Branch Library | 12500 Amherst Dr
- Tuesdays 3-5pm | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
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
Music and Movement Storytime Assistant
The Carver Branch is looking for assistance with a weekly Music and Movement Storytime. Volunteers help set up, pass out props and dance along with the program. Volunteers should be comfortable doing basic dance movements and enjoy working with small children.
Carver Branch Library | 1161 Angelina St
- Thursdays 10-11am | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 1 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
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.
Current needs:
None 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.
