Download and fill out our Volunteer Application and return it to to any GCLS Branch Library.

Volunteer application forms are also available at each library branch.

Special care is taken to match each person’s skills and interests with the library’s needs. Training is provided in the area of service that is selected.

• Connect with your community
• Meet new friends
• Learn new skills
• Provide valuable services
• Make a difference!

A variety of tasks are available for library volunteers. For most volunteer positions the commitment is 1 to 3 hours, one day per week. Adult volunteers must be 18  years or older.

Are you creative and enjoy the public area?

• Maintain the community bulletin board
• Maintain the public area
• Create book displays

Do you enjoy simple tasks which are less demanding?

• Filing/Shredding
• Prepare crafts for children’s programs

Are you detail oriented and enjoy working independently?

• Retrieve reserved items from the shelves
• Reshelve returned materials
• Weed materials from the collection
• Adopt a shelf
• Maintain periodicals and newspapers
• Sort donated books

Are you highly skilled and want to share your talents with others?

• Be a book club facilitator
• Create a program–this would be great to do with a friend
• Start an ESL conversation circle
• Provide homework help

Do you have little time, yet still want to volunteer?

• Help with a book sale
• Assist with back to school nights
• Deliver materials to homebound patrons
• Maintain the library landscaping

The Friends of GCLS always welcome new  members. If active membership is not possible, the Friends welcome membership as a sponsor. All proceeds are used to help  improve library service.

• Attend programs and events
• Volunteer your time, energy, and ideas
• Speak out in support of your library
• Join Friends of GCLS

Adopt a Shelf is a volunteer opportunity for individuals, families, and/or organizations. Volunteers donate time to keep one section of the library neat and in order. Volunteers may choose from a variety of sections that need the most care.

Guidelines for adopting a shelf:

• Volunteers must be at least 15 years of age. If a volunteer is under 15 years old, he or she must be accompanied by another person 15 years or older.
• Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 12 month commitment. 
• Volunteers will be trained by library staff, but have knowledge of filing items in alphabetical order. Knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System is a plus.
• Be comfortable lifting books and reaching the top and bottom shelves. Volunteers may be kneeling, bending, and/or crouching. 
• Volunteers will work during regular library hours.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure the items are in proper order according to their section, per the Dewey Decimal System for nonfiction and alphabetical for fiction. 
• Maintain the overall appearance of the shelves. Straighten books on shelf, move books to the front ledge and tighten brackets as necessary.
• Dust shelves as needed.
• Reshelve materials out of place.
• Any damaged, dirty, torn, stained, and/or ripped materials should be brought to the Circulation Staff.

 

Volunteers bring the library enthusiasm, energy, added talents, and a fresh perspective. They enhance, rather than replace adequate staffing. They enrich the library’s offerings, rather than provide basic service. Volunteer service helps the library make the best use of its fiscal  resources. Volunteers are liaisons to the community and by their contribution are advocates for quality library service.