Volunteer at the Library

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Donate Your Time and Talents!

DC Public Library offers regular and periodic volunteer opportunities for ages 14 and up.  Whether you're new in town, a longtime DC resident, club, college student or library professional, we look forward to hearing from you!

Find Opportunities

Active volunteers, log your hours here.

Adults (ages 18 and up)

Library Helper (neighborhood libraries and Martin Luther King)
Assist with shelving, computer coaching, programs and more at a local library. 2-3 hrs/week for three months or more. Library Helpers are interviewed, admitted and trained quarterly on a seasonal basis. As a condition of volunteering, a free background check must be cleared prior to starting.

Application deadlines
Spring 2011 (March - May): February 5th
Summer 2011 (June - August): May 1st
Fall 2011 (September - December): August 1st
Winter 2012 (January - March): December 1st

Click here to submit a Library Helper volunteer application.

Adaptive Services Volunteer (Martin Luther King only)
Tutor blind, low-vision, deaf and disabled patrons at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. 2-3 hrs/week for three months or more. Volunteers are admitted and trained on a rolling basis. A free background check is required.

Click here to submit an Adaptive Services volunteer application.

Computer Class Instructor (Martin Luther King only)
Teach computer classes at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. Two classes per month commitment for six or more months. Volunteers are admitted and trained on a rolling basis.  A free background check is required.

Click here to submit a Computer Class Instructor volunteer application.

Projects & Special Events (for groups or individuals)

Can’t make a regular commitment? Click here to join our listserv and receive updates of periodic volunteer opportunities. Here’s a sneak peak of what’s coming up…

  • Summer Reading Kick-Off (June 2011)
  • DC Reads (October 2011 – November 2011)
  • Takoma Park 100th Anniversary (November 2011)

 

Teens & High School Community Service (ages 14 - 19)

Youth202 (MLK Teen Space Only)
Youth202 is the voice of DC's teens--created for youth, by youth. Learn radio production skills from the Radio Rootz crew, interview people in the community, and help keep other teens “in the know” about news, issues, events, programs, and anything else you think is important. Youth202 meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-6:30pm at the Martin Luther King Library's Teen Space, starting September 2011. Get community service hours, get a stipend, and join the movement! The deadline has already passed for Fall semester 2011, but you can  learn more about the program and apply directly online, to be on the wait list for Spring 2012.

Teen Library Helper (neighborhood libraries or Martin Luther King)
High school community service may be earned at a local library depending on project and supervisor ability.  You must be 14 or older, and can complete up to five service hours per week.  (We can't honor requests for lots of hours at the last minute, so please apply early!)  Sorry, court-ordered hours are not eligible for this role.  

To apply:

Before matching you to a project, staff may wish to interview you further about your skills and interests.

 

Contact Us

Can't find what you're looking for?  Call the volunteer program at 202-741-5803 or e-mail libraryvolunteers@dc.gov.