Volunteers

The Cobb County Public Library Volunteer Program is vital to the mission of the library. The program is designed to enhance and expand library service to the community. Volunteers are advocates for quality library service. Their enthusiasm, support, and commitment make it possible for the library to meet the increasing library needs of our customers.

Every attempt is made to match opportunities with volunteers. However, library staff, instead of volunteers, must perform some jobs. Among these are storytimes and computer work involving patron records.

Please find below a list of volunteer positions and descriptions for each. Contact the library where you would like to work to see if opportunities are available.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the library must complete the application below. Please note that applicants age 17 and older must successfully pass a background check before being approved for volunteer service.

Volunteers must be at least 15 years old.

Court Ordered Community Service Workers

Court ordered community service workers (CSW) follow different procedures and policies than library volunteers. Not all branches in Cobb County Public Library (CCPL) accept community service workers and a short turnaround time-frame for completion of hours cannot be accommodated.

CCPL will only accept persons who are Cobb County residents, 18 years old or older, and mandated by a Cobb County Court to perform service. Please review our CSW Policy for a list of misdemeanor offenses that will be accepted for community service at the library. If interested and permitted to complete community service at a government institution, please complete the online application.

Department: Branch / Circulation

Immediate Supervisor: Branch Page Supervisor

Description Summary: Maintain order and accessibility of all library materials.

Essential Job Functions Include:

• Sorts carts as needed;
• Shelves all library materials;
• Reads shelves regularly to ensure materials are in proper order;
• Shifts books as needed; and
• Performs light housekeeping tasks as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of alpha/numeric order;
• Ability to manipulate library materials up to 20 pounds;
• Ability to reach top shelves and bend to bottom shelves;
• Ability to manipulate fully loaded book carts;
• Follow oral and written instructions; and
• Ability to work independently.

Requirements:

• Must clear required background check.

Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per week (approx)

Length of Commitment: 6 months (minimum)

Department: Branch / Adult Services / Children’s Services

Immediate Supervisor: Branch Manager / Adult Services Librarian / Youth Services Librarian

Description Summary: Plan and lead book discussions for the specified group under the leadership of the Branch Manager or Librarian.

Essential Job Functions Include:

• Assist with the selection of books for book discussion, following established guidelines;
• Assist with preparation for the book discussion;
• Assist with promoting, reserving meeting space, and reserving books;
• Lead book discussions; and
• Keep statistics of book discussions.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Experience working with children, young adults and/or adults;
• Knowledge and appreciation of children’s, young adult and/or adult literature;
• Ability to facilitate discussion; and
• Good interpersonal skills.

Requirements:

• Must clear required background check.

Time Commitment: 5 hours per month (approx)

Length of Commitment: 1 year or September – May

Department: Branch / Adult Services; Switzer Library / Mobile Teaching Lab

Immediate Supervisor:  Class instructor

Description Summary:  Assist class instructors (Switzer Computer Lab and Mobile Teaching Lab) in creating a welcoming class atmosphere through ensuring the classroom is set up according to instructions, class papers are distributed, and assistance is provided to attendees as needed.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assist instructor in preparation of classroom;
• Assist instructor in making handouts;
• Assist instructor in providing one-on-one assistance to class attendees; and
• Assist instructor in putting classroom away.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Experience working with young adults and/or adults;
• Experience in using computers and the Internet;
• Experience with office machines such as photocopiers;
• Ability to follow instructions; and
• Good interpersonal skills.

Requirements:

• Must clear required background check

Time Commitment: 5+ hours per month (approx)

Length of Commitment: 1 year

Department: North Cobb and/or Switzer Library

Immediate Supervisor: Library Manager or their designate

Description Summary: Assists with maintenance of library community garden space to make it viable for programs and other educational opportunities.

Essential Job Functions Include:

• Assist in preparing the Community Garden for planting (digging, lifting, pushing equipment)
• Assist in planting the Community Garden for spring, summer, and fall crops
• Maintain the Community Garden (weeding, watering, harvesting)

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Willingness to be active and work in the heat
• Ability to dig in the dirt with shovels & trowels
• Ability to push a full garden wagon
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds
• Ability to follow directions
• Preferred: experience gardening flowers, herbs, and produce

Time Commitment: 1-6 hours per week; March-October (4 month minimum)

Length of Commitment: 4 months

Department:  Switzer Library

Immediate Supervisor: Library Manager or designate

Description Summary:  Sort incoming donated materials (books, magazines, sound recordings, etc) for addition to the library’s collections or for inclusion in the library’s book sales. Volunteer will receive on-the-job training in handling donations at Switzer Library.

Essential Job Functions:

• Sort materials for book sale;
• Forward to staff any donations for potential addition to the library’s materials collection;
• Pack and unpack materials;
• Maintain the donations area;
• Maintain the in-house book sale area; and
• Label materials for in-house book sale.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Good interpersonal skills;
• Dependable;
• Ability to follow directions and guidelines;
• Ability to work independently;
• Physically able to lift, pack, and push book trucks; and
• Good decision making skills.

Time Commitment: minimum 3-4 hours per week; hours flexible

Length of Commitment: 3-6 months minimum

Department: Circulation

Immediate Supervisor:  Branch Manager / Circulation Department Head

Description Summary: Greet and direct patrons as they enter the library; instruct patrons in the use of the self checkout machine.

Essential Job Functions:

• Greet patrons entering and leaving the library;
• Answer basic directional questions;
• Refer patrons to the appropriate staff and departments; and
• Assist patrons with the self checkout machine.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• General clerical skills;
• Attention to detail;
• Ability to work independently;
• Excellent communication skills; and
• Reliable and dependable.

Requirements:

• Must be 16 years of age or older
• Must clear required background checks

Time of Commitment: 2-4 hours per week (approx)

Length of Commitment: flexible, but more than 1 month

Department: Switzer Library Children’s Services

Immediate Supervisor: Branch Manager/Children’s Supervisor

Description Summary: Supervise children from elementary through middle school ages in playing with the library’s game console equipment.

Essential Job Functions:

• Set up and take down of equipment;
• Make sure equipment is in working order;
• Supervision of children for the duration of the program;
• Make sure children are playing cooperatively; and
• Report to Children’s Supervisor or Branch Manager.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Experience working with children of all ages;
• Dependable and prompt;
• Good interpersonal skills; and
• Good organizational skills, pays attention to details.

Requirements:

• Must be 16 years of age or older
• Must clear required background check

Time Commitment: minimum 2-4 hours per month (approx)

Length of Commitment: 6 month minimum