HomeMy Public PortalAboutfeb17policyThe Watertown Free Public Library Volunteer Program provides public service opportunities to members
of our community. Volunteers provide valuable assistance on projects that may be otherwise neglected
because of budgetary limitations. Volunteers generally provide support services to paid staff; work on
special projects; or assist with the Building Committee Book Sale. Volunteers are expected to act in
accordance with library policies and to reflect positive customer service attitudes to all library patrons.
Applying to Volunteer
Prospective volunteers must complete the volunteer application form and return it to the Assistant
Director in the Administration Office. If there is an opportunity available for an applicant, the Assistant
Director will contact the applicant for an interview. interviews are by appointment only. Volunteers also
must pass a Criminal Offense Records Investigation (CORI).
Minors
Volunteer applications are accepted for people 15 years and older. Anyone under the age of 18 must
have a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian to volunteer at the library.
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.
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
We 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 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 in departmental hours logs.
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.
Work Schedules
Volunteers shall only work during hours when adequate supervision is available. Typically, a volunteer
works a 2 hour time slot each week unless otherwise arranged. 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 Watertown Free Public 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.
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.
Approved by the Board of Trustees 1012112