Volunteering at the Library

If you are interested in any of the volunteer opportunities listed below, or are looking for a group volunteer project, please contact the Library’s Support Programs & Volunteer Resources office at 317-275-4046, or use our Volunteer Opportunities email contact form.

Collection Support & Maintenance

 

Several Library branches throughout Marion County utilize Collection Support volunteers on a regular basis. Volunteers assist in a variety of ways including pulling materials from the shelves, maintaining special collections and/or periodical sections, assisting with special projects or displays, just to name a few. The volunteer time commitment can be as little as 2 hours a week.

 

 

Collection Support volunteer positions are open at the following locations:

  • Central Library (map) – Monday – Friday, 9 to Noon, Weekly.  We’d love to have 3 volunteers each day!
  • College Branch (map)
    Adults. Mondays & Wednesdays, mornings for around 2 hours, Pull List.
    Adults. Shelf reading and Collection maintenance – make your own weekly schedule!
    Family Teams. One adult with one age 10+ youth, any time for collection maintenance.
  • East 38th Street Branch (map) – Select the day that works best for you
  • Garfield Park (map) – One teen for evenings/weekends and 1 adult for a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday morning (9a) or Thursday or Friday (9:30a).  Weekly, 2-4 hour shift
  • Haughville Branch (map) – Thursday, Friday or Saturday morning (approximately 2 hours)
  • Irvington Branch (map) – Either, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, morning
  • Nora Branch (map) – Ensure books can be found by patrons. Weekly, 2-3 hours
  • West Indy Branch (map) – Monday – Friday, mornings (approximately 2 hours)

Special Event Volunteering

The Library is always on the lookout for out-going volunteers to help greet and assist the public who attend special Library programs. Volunteers who assist with special programs are utilized on an “on call” basis depending on the need for volunteer assistance. Most special programs are held in the evening or on weekends.

Let us know if you’d like to be added to the Special Event Volunteer list. We’ll contact you throughout the year when there are special event opportunities. (Holiday parties, Galas, Author book signings, and more!)

  • Outreach Support, Holiday Programming.  There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit then to spend it with young-ones.  Outreach staff is looking for a group of 4-6 fun-loving volunteers to assist at Troy Manor Apartments on December 18th from 3:30 to 4:15 with holiday programming (crafts, story time, games, etc.).
  • Kwanzaa, Wednesday, December 26, 5:00 to 8:00p.  Central Library will host a celebration of Kwanzaa for guests of all ages.  There will be spoken word performances, African dancers and drummers, a Kinara (candle) lighting ceremony, Queen Mother procession, food, activities and more.  Volunteers are asked to help with greeting guests, providing way-finding and assisting staff with the event.

Public Computer Support

Library branches engage volunteers to help our public computer patrons with basic computer tasks such as printing, saving information to a flash drive, creating an e-mail account, and other general computer functions. (Adult volunteers only, please.)

Share your computer skills for a couple hour a week at one of the following branches:

Program Support

Certain branches need volunteer assistance with programs, projects and special events. The volunteer time commitment depends upon the activity.

  • Central Library (map)
    The Learning Curve is interested in volunteers to help our young patrons and guests on Monday evenings, 5 to 8p, for Family Game Night.
  • Central Library (map)
    Are you into organizing and cleanliness? Learning Curve staff would love to meet you! Help sort, clean and organize the activity materials that are used frequently, such as LEGOs, craft supplies, and story time toys. Add library brand stickers and stamps to paperback books. Weekday mornings for a few hours each week.
  • Central Library (map)
    General administrative support.  Data entry, copying, material assembly, filing for the volunteer resources team and the Center for Black Literature & Culture (CBLC). This opportunity occurs 1 day a week for 3-4 hours during business hours, Monday – Friday 9 to 4.  Select the day of the week that works best for you.
  • East 38th Street Branch (map)
    Program/Classroom Assistant Volunteers (as scheduled). Toddler Story Time!
  • Haughville Branch (map)
    Tuesday Craft Night: leaders needed for one evening a month, generally the second Tuesday.
    Wednesday LEGO night:  support the club, the last Wednesday of the month in the evening.
  • Pike Branch (map)
    Teen Advisory: Teens, ages 13 and up to serve on the Teen Advisory. Assist with library programs, library functions and provide feedback on teen services and materials.
    Teens: age 14 and up are invited to help with Programming Support.

Group/Team Projects

We welcome volunteer groups to engage with the Library in a variety of ways including  sprucing up a branch, conducting a book/supply drive, preparing the Indy Library Store for the next sale, and Days of Service. Let us know how we can help you designing a project for your team by contacting the Library’s Support Programs & Volunteer Resource Office at 317-275-4046, or use our Volunteer Opportunities email contact form. We look forward to collaborating with you!

  • “Projects To-Go” – Can’t leave the office, but still want to help?  We occasionally need craft/activity kits assembled for our Outreach team to distribute to child care centers on their regular visits.  We provide all the parts and instructions, you provide the manpower.

Digital Collection Transcription – A Virtual Opportunity for 1 to 100+.

Can’t leave home or the office, but still want to help? The purpose of this collection is to provide access to digital images and recordings of cultural and historical interest to Indianapolis residents as well as students, researchers and others. Volunteers, age 14 and up, are asked to electronically transcribe, tag, and increase the overall value of the digital collection. Consider transcribing audio stories of our Indianapolis neighbors as part of the Families Talk program, identifying locations of antique Indianapolis postcards on a map or similar projects. This opportunity can be completed in your home, place of work, classroom, or in our computer lab (max 12 people). We’ll provide training. Check out the digital collection, then contact us when you’re ready to get started!

Book Sale/Indy Library Store

Donate Gently Used Books:  Please consider weeding your book collection and donating gently used items to the Indy Library Store. Materials can be dropped off during business hours at your local library branch, the Indy Library Store (2450 N. Meridian Street), or for large donations pick-up service can be arranged.  FMI.

Volunteer:  Indy Library Store is looking for Book Sale volunteers! The Indianapolis Public Library conducts several book sales every year. Materials for these sales are obtained through the Library’s discarding process and from donations made by the general public. Book Sale Volunteers donate their time, usually once a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday morning, or Thursday afternoon to process and shelve books in preparation for public and online sales. The tasks involve lifting, standing and walking throughout the store. Volunteers can choose to only work the actual sales, which occur five times a year.

Library Express: Deliver to Patrons in Their Homes

The Library Express Program utilizes volunteers to select and deliver Library materials for patrons who are home-bound. The volunteer time commitment averages 2-4 hours a month.

Library Express volunteers are matched to one patron for whom the volunteer selects and delivers materials to the patron’s home. Volunteers provide this service with their personal vehicle and must successfully complete the volunteer screening process.

To learn more about this volunteer opportunity, please contact the Library’s Support Programs & Volunteer Resources office at 317-275-4046.

Increase Your Impact

Many companies in our community have a matching gift program. Sometimes that includes volunteer efforts. For example, one of our volunteers has an employer who donates $500 a year to the IndyPL Foundation if they log 20 volunteer hours or more in the Book Sale. Check with your (and your spouse’s) employer to find out if you qualify for an employer matching program. For additional information about matching gifts, please contact The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation at 317-275-4700 or at foundation@indyplfoundation.org.
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