Volunteer

Volunteer

Volunteers 2


Is it time to get involved with your community? To give back? To share your skills? To push yourself to try something new?   

We have volunteers from all walks and stages of life. They volunteer for all kinds of reasons, but they all choose the library because they love what we stand for: free access to information; a chance to connect with the community; and a place to learn, grow, and create. If you want to become a part of this mission and part of the Tompkins County Public Library team, read on.

 

What Can Volunteers Do?

Below is a sample of volunteer jobs. Many volunteer jobs are seasonal and/or temporary. Once you complete a volunteer application, you will meet with the volunteer coordinator who will describe the various jobs that are available. Together, you will create a plan that works best for you and the library.

Volunteer 1

 

How Do I Apply?

Apply online. This is the fastest way to get started. The Volunteer Coordinator will email you within two business days to set up an appointment with you for an interview and to discuss the best volunteer opportunity for you and your schedule.

You can also pick up a paper application at the Circulation or Reference Desk and mail it in or return it to the library. The Volunteer Coordinator will e-mail you within a week to set up an appointment with you for an interview.

Note: Applicants must be at least 14 years old to volunteer. Applicants who are 12 or 13 years old may apply if they can ensure that an adult guardian or parent will be present in the library for the duration of their volunteer shifts.

 

FAQS

Can I just walk in and start volunteering?
Unfortunately, no. All volunteers must complete an application and be interviewed by the volunteer coordinator before they are accepted as a volunteer. Please count on at least a week or two between the time you submit an application and when you start your service. We have a high volume of requests, so your patience is appreciated!

How old do I have to be to volunteer?
Applicants must be at least 14 years old to volunteer. Applicants who are 12 or 13 years old may apply if they can ensure that an adult guardian or parent will be present in the library for the duration of the volunteer shifts. No one under 12 is allowed to volunteer.

The court is requiring me to do community service. Do you accept this type of volunteer?
If your crime is a nonviolent crime, you may volunteer here. You will be required to let the volunteer coordinator know the nature of your crime/offense so that they can let you know if you are eligible.

Please note that any volunteer who needs a signature validating court-mandated service can volunteer only during the times the Volunteer Coordinator is present in the building.

Do I get paid?
No, the library does not pay volunteers for their service. That said, we work with a number of organizations that do pay the person and support that person as they learn job skills. If you are interested in this, we can discuss this during your interview and the Volunteer Coordinator can inform you of these organizations.

Can I be turned down or terminated?
Yes, the library reserves the right to not accept a volunteer request. There are a variety of reasons why this may be the case:

  • The applicant may not possess the skills we need for the service we need.
  • The applicant may have committed a recent violent crime that we feel may put library patrons or staff at risk.
  • The applicant is a persona non grata.
  • The applicant/volunteer has not adhered to our library's code of conduct.
  • The volunteer has been a no call/no show for several weeks.

 

Current Volunteers

volunteer-login-image.jpg

Registered volunteers can login to view schedules or check in and out during shifts.

 

Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Kids" group.
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Online
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Book Clubs
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 14
About this event::
Children ages 9-13 are welcome to join our Homeschool Book Club! The club will meet monthly to discuss books from a variety of genres on the 4th Thursday of each month at 11 in the morning. Registration for book club meetings is required as space is ...
This event is in the "Adults" group.

One-on-One Tech Help

1:30pm - 2:30pm
Full
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Digital Lab
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Digital Lab, One-on-One Appointments, Online Chat, Technology Class
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 1
About this event::
Book a librarian or volunteer technology tutor for help with digital downloads, such as borrowing eBooks, or basic computer questions.  **Please note - This series of appointments will be with volunteer technology tutor, Gusti, and he is able...
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Families" group.
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Online
Age Group: Adults, Families
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Health & Wellness, Online Chat
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 11
About this event::
Join Sarah Grant Curless for a weekly nutrition informational session.  This week's topic is Comfort Food Switch Ups.  Learn how to take some of your favorite comfort foods and put a healthy twist on them. Try it out with this recipe for Br...
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group.
This event is in the "Kids" group.
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids
Program Type: Storytimes
About this event::
Join us for Spanish storytime - stories, songs, and crafts - completely in Spanish!  Fun for the whole family, this storytime is a wonderful chance to be immersed in the Spanish language and a wonderful time to practice your language skills with...
This event is in the "Adults" group.
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Digital Lab
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Digital Lab, One-on-One Appointments
About this event::
Business Leaders of Colors is a network of small business owners committed to racial, social and economic justice. The network was formed to level the playing field and create a cooperative space for commerce that will serve the under-served and unde...
This event is in the "Adults" group.

Makerspace Open Hours

5:30pm - 7:30pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Makerspace
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Makerspace
About this event::
Drop-in open hours are back! Registration is no longer required. We still must adhere to room occupancy requirements (max. 10 people at a time), but do not anticipate this being an issue often.  Visit the Makerspace to use the laser cutter, 3...
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