Volunteer

Is it time to get involved with your community? To give back? To share your skills? To push yourself to try something new?   

We have volunteer program partners from all walks and stages of life. They volunteer for all kinds of reasons, but they all choose the Library because they love what we stand for: free access to information, a chance to connect with the community, and a place to learn and create. If you want to become a part of this mission and part of the Tompkins County Public Library team, read on.

Below is a sample of program partner and volunteer job opportunities. This list is not exhaustive, and Library staff is always open to hearing proposals for how your special skills may be able to help the community through special programs. 

• Tech Tutors
• Library Makers
• Adopt-a-shelf, shelf reading, and shelf "fronting"
• Special events volunteers (as needed)
• Phone bank advocates (as needed)
• Circulation Assistant
• Digital Learning Lab Coach
• Maker Mondays Volunteer
• Makerspace Trainer
• Shelf-reader
• Special Events Volunteer
• Technical Services Assistant
• Welcome Ambassador
• Youth Services Assistant/Shelf-reader

The volunteer program is currently on pause (October 2024).

Please fill out a volunteer application and library staff will contact you if there is a good fit between library needs and your qualifications and availability. 

Note: Applicants must be at least 14 years old to volunteer and compliant with New York State labor laws. Volunteers under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian co-sign the volunteer application and provide working papers. 

Can I just walk in and start volunteering?
Unfortunately, no. All volunteers must complete an application and be interviewed by the volunteer coordinator before they are accepted as a volunteer. Please count on at least a week or two between the time you submit an application and when you start your service. We have a high volume of requests, so your patience is appreciated!

How old do I have to be to volunteer?
Applicants must be at least 14 years old to volunteer. 

The court is requiring me to do community service. Do you accept this type of volunteer?
If your crime is a nonviolent crime, you may volunteer here. You will be required to let the volunteer coordinator know the nature of your crime/offense so that they can let you know if you are eligible.

Please note that any volunteer who needs a signature validating court-mandated service can volunteer only during the times the Volunteer Coordinator is present in the building.

Do I get paid?
No, the library does not pay volunteers for their service. That said, we work with a number of organizations that do pay the person and support that person as they learn job skills. If you are interested in this, we can discuss this during your interview and the Volunteer Coordinator can inform you of these organizations.

Can I be turned down or terminated?
Yes, the library reserves the right to not accept a volunteer request. There are a variety of reasons why this may be the case:

• The applicant may not possess the skills we need for the service we need.
• The applicant may have committed a recent violent crime that we feel may put library patrons or staff at risk.
• The applicant is a persona non grata.
• The applicant/volunteer has not adhered to our library's code of conduct.
• The volunteer has been a no call/no show for several weeks.