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We Need Your Help - Become an Albany Library Volunteer
The Albany Public Library needs the help of dedicated volunteers to meet the challenges and demands of our large population of Library users. The Library is one of a few organizations that strives to meet the needs of the entire community. By providing materials and services that cross cultural, economic, and educational boundaries, the Albany Public Library is popular and well used.
Volunteers expand and supplement the services the Library is able to offer to the public. They also provide a form of outreach into the community, conveying an impression of our values and our commitment to the community.
In turn, the Library provides a service to its volunteers through providing opportunities for educational service credits and personal growth, as well as possibilities for professional growth through training, business contacts, and employment references.
In an effort to ensure a positive experience with us, the Library has defined some criteria for successful volunteering. These include individual responsibility and commitment, maturity, and attention to detail. Volunteers must be personally invested in working with us to provide good service in a professional manner. The Library is unable to provide a one-to-one mentoring relationship. Individuals must be able to work independently after initial training.
School volunteer credit may be earned through service at the Library. A parental signature is required, and the applicant must also meet the above criteria. Placement in the Library will be dependent upon the Library's current needs and the Volunteer Coordinator's assessment of the applicant's abilities and motivation.
Volunteer Benefits
Volunteers do not pay overdue fines so long as they maintain 12 volunteer hours per quarter. Also, volunteers are honored each year for their service. RSVP volunteers are also honored at the RSVP Volunteer Recognition Tea.
A nonresident can earn a library card by first volunteering 12 hours and then maintaining 12 volunteer hours per quarter.
Becoming a Volunteer
Please print out and complete the attached Volunteer Registration Form and return it to either Library. The Volunteer Coordinator will call to make an appointment to meet with you.
You may also pick up a form at either the Main or Downtown Libraries.
Community members annually contribute some 2,500 hours of volunteer time to the Library doing shelving, shelf reading, typing, etc. Volunteers are a vital and highly valued part of our Library.
