The Forbes Library Volunteer Program is designed to expand and enhance public service to the community. Volunteers contribute in every department of the library in so many ways. Our volunteers make it possible in these times of reduced budgets for the staff to offer the level of services that the community needs. Volunteers bring a treasured variety of experience and character to help make Forbes the special place it is. Volunteers generally provide support services to paid staff; work on special projects; or assist the Friends of Forbes. Volunteers are expected to act in accordance with library policies and to reflect positive customer service attitudes to all library patrons. We at Forbes believe our volunteers are valuable and wonderful people and we will do our best to make sure their experiences here are meaningful, engaging, and enjoyable.

Selection of Volunteers

Volunteers are selected based on their qualifications in relation to the needs of the library at any given time, and based on their ability to commit to a consistent schedule of volunteer hours. Selection of in-house volunteers is the responsibility of the Assistant Director.

Prospective volunteers are requested to fill out an application form and have an interview to be considered. Volunteers also must pass a Criminal Offense Records Investigation (CORI) as required by state law. Applicants who are under the age of 18 must also have signed permission from their parent or legal guardian. If there are no suitable volunteer opportunities, application forms will be kept on file for a period of one year. Applicants will be called if a project is identified which matches their interests or qualifications.

Roles and Responsibilities

The library depends on its volunteers for a wide variety of tasks which otherwise need to be assigned to library staff. We therefore ask volunteers to be reliable in their commitment to the library and to notify the library in advance if they are unable to work their regularly scheduled time slot.

Volunteers (except specially trained reference volunteers) are expected to refer all requests for information to the library staff, other than purely directional questions (e.g. where is the bathroom; where is the children’s room, etc.). Volunteers are asked to keep an accurate record of the hours they work each week, for the use of the Director.

Training and Supervision

The Assistant Director coordinates the volunteer program and is available to discuss assignments, concerns, or questions. Volunteers will receive specific training in their assigned duties from the library staff member who directly supervises their work. All reasonable care will be taken to ensure the safety of volunteers. Announcements will be posted near the volunteer sign-in sheet when necessary. Occasional meetings will be scheduled for volunteers as appropriate.

Work Schedules

Volunteers shall only work during hours when adequate supervision is available. Typically, a volunteer works a 2 hour time slot each week. Individual work schedules and specific time commitments will be mutually arranged in advance by the volunteer and the Assistant Director or immediate supervisor.

Community Service

Persons who seek volunteer assignments at the Forbes Library to meet a requirement set by an outside agency for the performance of community service shall be subject to the above selection process and all other provisions of this policy.

Employment of Volunteers in the Library

Volunteers who are seeking paid employment in the library should submit an employment application.

Leaving Volunteer Service

A volunteer selected for work on a special project will discontinue service when that project is completed or terminated, unless other arrangements have been made.

Whenever possible, the library will make an effort to reassign the volunteer. However, if no other mutually suitable volunteer position exists at the time, the volunteer will be asked to discontinue service and his or her application will be kept on file for one year, subject to review should a suitable position become available during that time.

In the event that a volunteer is unable to adequately perform the duties assigned to him or her, and no other appropriate positions are available, the volunteer may be removed from service.

Parking and Premises

Volunteers who regularly work eight hours a month or more are eligible to receive a parking permit for free parking in the Forbes lot. These permits may be used at any time the volunteer visits the library. The permits are not transferable and must be rendered upon leaving volunteer service. Volunteers should only enter non-patron areas of the library when instructed by their supervisor.

We genuinely appreciate our volunteers. We do not exaggerate when we say,
“We couldn’t do it without you!!!”

Approved by Board of Trustees 6/20/2005.