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 9/20/2017

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.

Current needs:

Austin History Center | 810 Guadalupe Street

• Sundays 1pm-5pm | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
• Tuesdays - Saturdays 11am-5pm | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
• *Experience in shelving or extensive of the Dewey Decimal System is required for this position*

Hampton Branch | 5125 Convict Hill Road

• Wednesdays 1pm-3pm | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 2 hour shift
• Saturdays 1pm-3pm | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 2 hour shift

Milwood Branch | 12500 Amherst Drive

• Saturdays 11am-4pm | 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 2 hour shift

Community Programs:  Volunteers develop curriculum and lead participants in various Library programs. 

Talk Time Facilitator | Cepeda Branch | 651 North Pleasant Valley Road

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. Shifts: Fridays from 1pm-3pm. 

Volunteers facilitate should have the following skills:

• Patience and a willingness to listen
• Comfortable leading small groups in conversation
• Sensitivity to potential differences in cultures
• Mastery of the English language
• Ability to promote communication among groups
• Be 18 years or older
• Commit to attending weekly sessions for the duration of the program (6 months)
   

Media and Communications | New Central Library 710 W. Cesar Chavez Street: The Austin Public Library is seeking a talented Media and Communications Volunteer to forward our mission and gain tangible skills. As a volunteer, you will assist on projects in development or near completion. Media and Communications volunteer duties will include:

• Production Assistant duties for weekly radio program
• Audio/video pre-production, production, and post-production
• Social Media
• Press Releases
• Copywriting
• Newsletters

Time will be split between audio/video communications and written communications. This is the perfect opportunity for Radio/Television/Film or Media and Communications students or professionals looking to expand their resume. Must be comfortable and competent using cameras, microphones, and computers. Volunteers should have experience in audio/video production and Adobe Creative Cloud (primarily Premier and Audition), be social media fluent and able to learn new applications and online tools easily. Experience with Drupal or other web publishing system is a plus. Volunteers should also possess strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to work independently, problem solve in high-pressure situations and be able to transport gear to Library locations around the city (up to 50 lbs). Your base location will be the Central Library downtown. Parking is not provided. Schedules are flexible (primarily Monday-Friday 10 AM-3 PM, but occasional weekends might be required). We ask for a minimum 8 hours per week (10-15 hours preferred).

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, sorting books by subject and value and shelving books and materials. Some volunteers also assist customers with check-out and donations. This position requires volunteers to push carts up to 75 pounds 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 working in retail and warehouse/stocking skills helpful.  Shifts are 4 hours.  Minimum 6 month commitment required.

• 4 hour shift available on Thursday afternoons (1pm-5pm). 1 volunteer needed.
• 4 hour shift available on Saturday afternoons (1pm-5pm). 1 volunteer needed

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!

Youth Services:  Volunteers help our Teen and Youth Librarians with Library programs.  Volunteers could be helping with program preparation (lots of craft cut outs!), taking tickets at the door, assisting youth in activities, creating book displays, shelving youth materials and helping keep the youth area tidy, and setting up/taking down at programs or even leading a program!  This position does not include reading to children. Work is best suited for detail-oriented individuals who enjoy working with kids of all ages. This position will include standing and bending for the duration of the program; moving items up to 25ibs, and using program equipment with out without reasonable accommodation. Most positions require a weekly commitment for a minimum of three months.

Connected Youth Assistant 
Volunteers will proctor the Connected Youth Center and assist with programs and activities. Volunteers help our teen customers as they learn to work with computers, game equipment, and new technologies. Volunteers should enjoy working directly with youth ages 10-18 years old in an active and energy filled environment. Knowledge of computers and other electronic media is required. Volunteers should be 18 years or older and bilingual (Spanish) is a plus!

• Windsor Park Branch | 5833 Westminster Drive: 3pm-6pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays. 2-3 volunteers needed for a weekly 3 hour shift.
• Ruiz Branch | 1600 Grove Boulevard: 3:30-6:30pm on Tuesdays. 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 3 hour shift 

Storytime Assistant 
Volunteers will help straighten, shelve, and organize the Children's Room between storytimes, as well as help the Youth Services Librarian break down the storytime. 

• Twin Oaks Library | 1800 South Fifth Street: 11am-1pm on Wednesdays. 1 volunteer needed for a weekly 3 hour shift

Youth Volunteer Program: Our youth volunteer program is designed for youth ages 13-17.  We have three program seasons-Fall, Spring and Summer-with applications only accepted three times per year.

Current needs:

• Spring 2017.  Deadline has passed and we are no longer accepting applications.
• Summer 2017.  Deadline has passed and we are no longer accepting applications.
• Fall 2017.  We are on hiatus and will not be accepting youth volunteer applications in Fall 2017.

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.