Pierson Library entrance exterior with library patrons
Ryan Bent Photography | www. ryanbent.com

VOLUNTEERS

Would you like to volunteer at the Pierson Library?

Volunteers help with a wide variety of tasks and services at the Pierson Library, and we would love your help! The minimum age for volunteering at the Library is 13, or at the discretion of the Youth Librarian.

 

How do I become a Pierson Library Volunteer?

Fill out a volunteer application (fill-able word doc version here) and mail/bring it to the library. A staff person will call and set up an appointment to talk to you about your interests, abilities, and availability! All volunteers  will also be asked to fill out a background check application.

 

Volunteer Job Descriptions (a sampling,  there are even more fun opportunities!)

Pierson Library interior with volunteer shelving books in the adult non-fiction area
Ryan Bent Photography | www. ryanbent.com

Shelver

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Shelve books, DVDs, CDs; organize magazines and newspapers; assist with upkeep/order of shelves; shelf-read to make sure books are in proper order.

Skills and Experience: This position requires attention to detail and a love of order/organization. Volunteer must be able to maneuver carts or baskets of books and lift light to medium weights. The ideal volunteer will have a friendly manner and thrive working independently. Knowledge of alphabet required. Dewey Decimal System training provided.

Garden Volunteer

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  Spring through Fall, help maintain and enhance the library's extensive outdoor gardens.

Skills and Experience: The position requires the ability to carry/lift medium weights of plants and landscaping material. The ideal volunteer will enjoy working outside and not mind getting hands a little dirty.  No prior gardening experience needed.

Technical Services/Book Processing Volunteer

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Want to work behind the scenes? This position includes processing of materials, book repair, & repair of AV materials. Other duties and project work as assigned. Book repair work includes: replacing worn and dirty book jackets, repairing of broken spines/using the book binding equipment, repairing of loose pages in materials. Processing of new materials includes: applying book covers, stamping items with library information, applying barcodes, cutting AV covers to fit protective cases.

Skills and Experience: The ability to acquire knowledge of repair procedures and methods.

 

Youth Events Volunteer

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The library hosts several youth programs each month. They typically attract between 10 and 50 participants. Volunteers are sometimes needed to chaperone or help direct/run parts of these events. Some help setting up before and cleaning up afterwards is also needed.

Skills and Experience: Ability to chaperone small to large groups of youth of various ages (depending on the program). Previous experience with youth is a plus. Ability to tolerate high noise levels and occasionally chaotic surroundings. Good sense of humor. Calm demeanor.

 

Adult Events Volunteer or Presenter

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The library hosts several adult programs each month. They typically attract between 5 and 40 participants. Volunteers agree to host the programs, run the programs (when they are the program presenter), set up before, and clean up afterwards.  Examples of programs include the library film series, our 2nd Wednesday lecture series, book groups, cookbook club, and more!

Skills and Experience: Previous experience running programs (if presenter) preferred. Ability to tolerate high noise levels and occasionally chaotic surroundings. Ability to be welcoming. Good sense of humor. Calm demeanor.

 

Shelf Reader

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Shelf Readers work to make sure the Library’s shelving of books, CDs, magazines or videos/DVDs remains in order. This is a vital part of making the materials readily available for patron requests. Since so many people browse the collection and routinely move items from their correct shelf locations, the shelves need constant reorganization and monitoring.

Skills and Experience: Knowledge of the alphabet is essential. Library staff will train the right volunteers in use of the Dewey Decimal System. Volunteer may be required to lift light to medium weights, e.g. books and audio-visual materials.

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