Being a Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer at the Doris Padgett Public Library. Volunteers are important partners in fulfilling the Library's mission of providing patrons with knowledge and information that supports lifelong learning and expanding and enhancing public service to the community. Volunteers perform many important jobs that cannot be funded out of the Library's regular operating budget and so are essential to maintaining quality library service. Volunteers support the Library Staff in various capacities and supervised by Library Staff they work with patrons and help with special projects and community events. Volunteers do not take the place of paid staff and perform their duties and tasks without wages, benefits or expectations of compensation (including travel expenses) of any kind. Volunteers are recognized by the public as representatives of the Library and shall be expected to meet the same work and behavior codes as employees. If you enjoy meeting and helping people, then share your talents and skills and discover the rewards of giving your time and energy to an organization that enriches the lives of others and the community!

How to Become a Volunteer

In order for applicant to be considered, potential volunteers:

• Must complete a volunteer application form
• Must be at least 16 years of age, age 17 years or under must have written permission from a parent or guardian
• Must pass a background check as per Town policy
• Must be willing to volunteer a minimum of 2-3 hours per week
• Must agree to at least a 6 month commitment

Download and print a Volunteer Application Form.

Return your completed application to:

      Volunteer Services
      Doris Padgett Public Library
      402 Tower Place
      Sunnyvale, TX  75182-3822

Or fax your completed form to:

      972-203-0310

Your application will be reviewed and if there are any possible matches with currently available volunteer opportunitites, you will be invited to attend an information session and interview. Every possible attempt will be made to find a match between applicants and available jobs, but the Library reserves the right to turn away volunteers when skills, interests, schedules and transportation are considered.

Volunteer Guidelines

Volunteers provide the Library with positive community exposure and unparalleled public relations benefits, so certain expectations are expected of our valued volunteers.

• Volunteers are required to wear identification badges
• Keep accurate records of hours worked
• Be reliable, dependable and prompt
• Expected to meet the overall demands of the functions performed during a typical workday
• Accept direction and ask questions if unsure of proper procedure
• Implement corrective actions after periodic performance evaluations
• Advise your supervisor concerning absences, changes in work schedule or vacations
• Notify your supervisor of your intention to vacate the volunteer position so that a replacement can be sought
• Dress according to the personal appearance policy of the Town of Sunnyvale
• Do not discuss personal matters with library staff or patrons or chat excessively
• Turn off cell phones while working, personal phone calls should be made before or after work
• Library supplies are for use in the Library by staff and volunteers, leave all materials in the Library at the end of each workday
• Library materials must be checked out on a valid library card, this applies to all staff, patrons and volunteers
• Maintain the confidentially of any information which you may be exposed to, whether this information involves staff, patrons, volunteers or the overall business of the Library or Town

Desired Volunteer Skills

Volunteers do not need library experience, but certain skills are invaluable for working in a library

• Strong interest in books, reading and learning
• Desire to help children, youths and adults in a library setting
• Good interpersonal and customer skills
• Ability to take initiative, solve minor problems and work under minimal supervision
• Knowledge of current affairs, recent events and related forms of information
• Basic computer skills
• Bilingual

Benefits of Becoming a Volunteer

Although the Doris Padgett Public Library benefits greatly from its volunteers, volunteering can be very rewarding for the individual as well.

• Acquire new skills and gain valuable work experience
• Receive verification of your volunteer work for school
• Use as a job reference for resumes
• Expand your social horizons and make new friends
• Serve the community
• Keep up with the latest news and events
• First to check out new materials
• Share many of the benefits available to paid staff, including social events and staff training opportunites

Volunteer Opportunities Generally Available 

• Greet and direct library users
• Answer phones
• Dust and straighten shelves
• Sort and file cards
• Assist at Circulation Desk with checking in/out materials
• Shelve returned materials
• Shelf reading (Adopt-A-Shelf/Adopt-A-Range)
• Assist patrons using computers and other technology
• Assist with children and teen programs
• Help children in grades 1-8 with homework assignments on weekday afternoons/evenings during the school year, must be age 18 or older
• Assist with Lapsit, Toddler Time and Story Time
• Delivering books to homebound patrons
• Assist with inventory
• Assist with weeding materials
• Repair damaged materials
• Sort donated books for the Friends Book Sale
• Landscape maintenance