Volunteer Opportunities at the Headquarters Branch
If you'd like to volunteer for any of these positions, please see the volunteer application form for minors or for adults, or contact Volunteer Program Specialist Elmira K. Warren by email or by phone at 352-334-3943.
Adult Services
Program Assistant
Assists library staff in preparing and presenting programs for adults, teens, and seniors. Facilitates and conducts programs with library staff as needed. Provides basic directional assistance to the public. Refers moderately complex questions to library staff.
- Prepares materials to be used in library programs.
- Greets and welcomes attendees at library programs.
- Assists with program setup and take-down.
- Demonstrates an ability to work with the public
- Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
- The ability and willingness to work with seniors, teens, and adults
- Available to serve Sundays between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. and/or Monday through Thursday between 9:30am- 9:00pm.
- Ability to serve a minimum of 1 hour per week and a maximum of 4 hours per week.
Linda Cue/Jasmine Tran
Technology Assistant
Assists library users with basic computer questions and troubleshooting, including but not limited to: searching the Internet, using Microsoft Office products, E-government assistance, assisting with micro-film, answering basic reference questions, setting up an e-mail account, applying for jobs online. Refers complex questions to library staff.
- Basic computer troubleshooting
- E-government assistance
- One-on-OneComputer assistance(e-gov, unemployment claims, on-line job applications)
- Working on the Reference Desk (answering basic questions)
- Demonstrates an ability to work with the public
- Intermediate computer skills
- Web based e-mail
- Knowledge of the internet
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office
- Available to serve Sundays between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. and/or Monday through Thursday between 9:30am- 9:00pm.
- Ability to serve a minimum of 1 hour per week and a maximum of 4 hours per week.
Linda Cue/Jasmine Tran
Circulation Services
Circulation Services Assistant - General
Duties will include checking in materials, trapping holds, filing holds on holds shelf, cleaning materials, limited shelving of materials and other duties as assigned.
- Cleans and organizes materials.
- Check-In Materials and sort on appropriate carts.
- Trapping and shelving holds.
- Other duties as assigned.
Demonstrates good customer service skills. Ability to work with all ages of the general public. Able to follow oral and written instructions. Good organizational skills. Detail oriented.
Ability to serve a minimum of 2 hours per week.
Volunteer Liaison, Library Supervisor, or Librarian Supervisor.
Library Materials Cleaner
Duties are cleaning materials once checked in. First priority for cleaning are DVD cases followed by Children's picture books. A cart waiting to be shelved with materials placed on the cart in order is chosen. As each item is cleaned it is placed on a new cart in order. Once complete, the cart is pushed into the hall to be shelved.
Cleans and organizes materials.
Able to follow oral and written instructions. Good organizational skills. Detail oriented and thorough. Ability to do repetitive duties.
Ability to serve a minimum of 2 hours per week.
Volunteer Liaison, Library Supervisor, or Librarian Supervisor.
Literacy Office
Basic Literacy Tutor
Provides basic literacy intervention/instruction to adult struggling readers in the Library’s Literacy Program.
- Provides basic literacy instruction/intervention to adult learners.
- Maintains a regular twice-weekly tutoring schedule.
- Participates in professional development and/or NOW! Foundations booster sessions as needed.
- Works one-on-one or in a small group setting.
- Submits required monthly reports on time.
Must be a native English speaker or possess native-like fluency without impediment. Must successfully complete NOW! Foundations training series. Demonstrates good verbal communication and organizational skills. Demonstrates patience and compassion for challenged populations. Adherence to strict privacy practices.
Ability to meet twice weekly with an adult learner on non-consecutive days for approximately one hour each meeting.
ACLD Literacy Coordinator
English Language Tutor
Provides English language instruction and conversation practice to adult English language learners (ELLs) in the Library’s Literacy Program.
- Facilitates English learning and practice opportunities for adult learners.
- Maintains a regular tutoring schedule.
- Participates in professional development as needed.
- Works one-on-one or provides small group instruction.
- Submits required monthly reports on time.
Must be a native English speaker or possess native-like fluency without impediment. Demonstrates good verbal communication and organizational skills. Demonstrates patience and compassion for challenged populations. Adherence to strict privacy practices.
Ability to meet weekly with an adult learner for approximately one hour each meeting.
ACLD Literacy Coordinator
Outreach Services
Outreach Services Volunteer
Assist with the shelving of library material when needed on the bookmobile.
Reading the shelves on the bookmobile to make sure that the books are in numerical and dewy decimal order. Searching the holds pick list and checking-in books after they are found and putting them on the right shelves that are label for branch materials in the garage. Assist in the mailroom with the receiving from UPS. There is however some differences when items received are books. ILLs or Interlibrary loans books are books sent from our library or received from another library for patrons who could not access these materials from our library or vice versa. DILLs are similar to ILLs, but they are books being sent not by mail, but by a special courier service that operates within the state of Florida only. The Deposit books are donated books that the cataloging department, has too many of. They send them to the person who is taking the books out to the deposit sites. We put the Labels on them so we can know which books belong to the deposit collection. These books go out to the Nursing homes and the Assisting Living sites. Assisting with the incoming newspapers and magazines. There is a list in Outreach that has the title of each magazine that we receive, the total amount that is to be delivered and the branch were each copy is going.
- Shelving, reading, straightens, and organizes library materials.
- Retrieves items on the daily hold list on both bookmobiles.
- Opening the Baker & Taylor boxes of books.
- Sending back Interlibrary Loan books and the DILLI’s.
- Placing deposits labels on books.
- Labeling magazines and newspapers.
- Packing FOL books in the garage to be sent to our Friends of the Library building.
- Some housekeeping chores like dusting or wiping down the counter tops in the office.
Customer services skills. Able to work with staff and general public. Able to stand and walk for extended periods of time. Be able to push and pull heavy carts of books and lift boxes 25lbs up to 50lbs. Able to follow oral and written instructions. Able to work alone at times.
Ability to work a minimum of 2-4 hours per week. Available to work Monday through Fridays or at least 3 days between 10:00am or 12:00pm or 2:00pm- 5pm on Fridays.
Senior Outreach Library Specialist or Branch Manager in absence of Senior Library Specialist.
Techincal Services
Mending Assistant
Using various tools, volunteer will repair minor damage to book materials according to established ACLD mending procedures.
Print book mending
Previous experience with book mending preferred. Must be able to sit for extended periods of time. Attention to detail, ability to follow oral and written instructions, and ability to work independently are a must. Additional training will be provided as necessary.
Ability to serve a minimum of 3 hours per month and a maximum of 2 hours per week. Available to serve Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Volunteer Liaison or other designated ACLD staff.
Volunteer Office
Public Relations Volunteer Assistant
Assists the Volunteer Program Specialist with duties related to the Volunteer Program Office (VPO). This position assists Volunteer Liaisons, Library Volunteers and the local media regarding the Alachua County Library District (ACLD) Volunteer Program. Responsible for informing the public and library staff about the Volunteer Program Office. The computer will be used to create brochures, press releases, newsletters and other means to provide information about the VPO. This position assists with the recruitment of volunteers by drafting letters, volunteer vacancy forms and creating other ways of advertising the volunteer needs and Volunteer Service Site needs within the ACLD.
- Find out the availability of volunteer task assignments within ACLD
- Responsible for assisting with the creation of a Volunteer Program Newsletter
- Assists with the drafting of press releases related to the Volunteer Program Office
- Assist with the creation of a brochure and other materials for the VPO
- Other office duties as assigned
Demonstrates very good written and verbal communication skills. Has at least a college degree or comparable experience. Must have a basic knowledge of computer programs such as WORD, Excel and PowerPoint and familiarity with e-mail, faxing and scanning.
Ability to serve a minimum of 4 hours weekly and a maximum of 10 hours. Available to serve Monday through Friday during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
District Volunteer Program Specialist
Volunteer Program Assistant
Assists the District Volunteer Program Specialist with duties related to the Volunteer Program Office. Works with Volunteer Liaisons and Library Volunteers regarding the need for information and assistance. Uses the computer to create forms, data and correspond with staff at branch libraries and departments. Answers basic questions about the volunteer application process.
- Files volunteer applications and logs information into database
- Opens the mail and distributes it and assists with sending approved volunteer applications and information to branch libraries and volunteer service sites
- Assists with preparing and processing background checks for applicants
- Other office duties as assigned
Demonstrates very good written and verbal communication skills. Ability to alphabetize and organize files. Must have a basic knowledge of computer programs such as WORD, Excel and PowerPoint and familiarity with e-mail, faxing and scanning.
Ability to serve a minimum of 4 hours weekly and a maximum of 10 hours. Available to serve Monday through Friday during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
District Volunteer Program Specialist
Youth Services
General Reference Desk Assistant
Assists library staff at the reference desk in helping patrons find materials. Assists with check-out of materials. Helps maintain order by roaming floor regularly. Fills pencil and scrap paper holders. Stuffs envelopes with SRP incentives. Assists librarians with weeding from printed lists. Helps create book lists and signs. Provides basic directional assistance to the public. Refers complex reference questions to library staff.
- Prepares materials to be used by library staff.
- Assists with reference desk duties.
- Greets and welcomes patrons to Youth Services.
- Other duties as assigned.
Demonstrates good customer service skills. Ability to work with all ages of the general public. Able to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to serve a minimum of 2 hours per week
Volunteer Liaison, or Department Manager in absence of Librarian.
Program Assistant
Assists library staff in preparing and presenting programs for children and teens. Works with library staff to plan and coordinate programs. Facilitates and conducts programs with library staff as needed. Models good behavior for program attendees. Provides basic directional assistance to the public. Refers questions to library staff.
- Prepares materials to be used in library programs.
- Assists with program setup and take-down.
- Greets and welcomes attendees at library programs.
- Models good behavior for program attendees.
Demonstrates good customer service skills. Ability to work with all ages of the general public. Able to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to serve a minimum of 2 hours per week.
Volunteer Liaison, or Department Manager in absence of Librarian.
Technology Assistant
Assists library users with basic computer questions and troubleshooting, including but not limited to: searching the Internet, using Microsoft Office products, setting up an e-mail account, and applying for jobs online. Provides basic directional assistance to the public. Refers complex questions to library staff.
- Provides one-on-one instruction to library users in basic computer usage.
- Assists library users with printing, scanning, and copying documents in the print management system.
- Helps library users with using their mobile devices.
- Troubleshoots simple computer problems.
Demonstrates good customer service skills. Intermediate knowledge of computers, web-based e-mail, Internet, and Microsoft Office products is required. Basic knowledge of mobile devices preferred.
Ability to serve a minimum of 2 hours per week.
Volunteer Liaison, or Department Manager in absence of Librarian.