Volunteer Policy

The Library Board recognizes volunteers as an invaluable community resource and welcomes their support. All volunteers are encouraged to consider participating in the Friends of the Library. Qualified volunteers helping in the Library will supplement the efforts of, but not replace, paid staff.  In order to provide quality service to library patrons, the following policy governs volunteers in the libraries.

Any person considering volunteer work must fill out an application.  Staff will interview applicants and all applicants over 17 years of age will be required to undergo a background check. After the interview, all applicants must be approved by the Library Administration. Individuals under the age of 18 must have parent/guardian signed permission to volunteer in the library.

Volunteers will be in general treated like regular staff; they are recruited, trained, supervised and evaluated by paid staff.

Volunteers working with youth must always work under the direct supervision of a member of the library staff. Volunteers will never work alone with youth.

Volunteers will be informed of the need for confidentiality involving patron records.  They will not check materials in or out to patrons, nor should a volunteer be given passwords to systems. Volunteer logins and password should be used.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, 16 December 2008