Volunteers are an important part of the Baltimore County Public Library system. Last year more than 300 library volunteers gave 56,000 service hours!

The minimum age for volunteers at the library is 14 years old or in the 8th grade. The following exceptions may be made: students under age 14 who volunteer as part of a group, e.g. scout troops, or as part of the Summer Reading Program volunteers. Additional information for student volunteers.

BCPL can provide a variety of challenging and rewarding volunteer opportunities. All assignments offer flexible scheduling and a chance to play an important role in providing library services.

Your volunteer role will be as individual as you are. Assignments are based on your unique skills and interests. Volunteers in our branches assist the staff by shelving materials, shelf reading (scanning the shelves and arranging branch materials which may not be in their proper place), answering telephones, checking out materials, clearing book carts, shifting the book collection, sorting delivery items, and assisting with special library programs.

BCPL has several special volunteer library programs:

• The Friends: Branch Support Groups are important volunteer support groups for Baltimore County Public Library. They provide community outreach for specific branches and advocacy for their neighborhood branch. They organize fundraising events and bring additional talent, expertise, and financial support to their community branch. For more information or to get involved, contact your local Friends: Branch Support Group.
   

• Legacy Web volunteers assist with the development of a digital image collection and descriptions of historic photographs of Baltimore County. Their primary responsibilities include use of a computer scanner and Windows software for scanning, cropping, improving image quality, and editing descriptions.
   

• Story Timers Early Literacy Volunteers offer developmentally appropriate stories and activities for young children in library branches. Training and mentoring are provided.

• Summer Reading Program volunteers are students in grades 6-8. They help promote the program within each branch, sign-up children for the program, give out stickers and prizes, and more.

Acceptance of any volunteer is based on the branch’s need at the time and the volunteer’s demonstrated ability to do the work required.  The branch cannot guarantee there will be work at all times and are under no obligation to accept volunteers. In addition, if the branch no longer needs the services of the volunteer or the volunteer is not performing at an acceptable level, the branch may terminate the volunteer.  The volunteer also has the right to terminate his/her service to BCPL at any time

Benefits of Becoming a BCPL Volunteer
 

Volunteering is a rewarding activity that offers many advantages including the opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills. Volunteering for the library also offers you a chance to:
 

• Work with computers and learn new technologies.

• Develop job references.

• Maintain our collections and information resources that serve your community.

• Student volunteers ages 14 and above may receive credit for student learning hours. It is the student's responsibility to check with their school to be certain that the library is an acceptable choice for fulfilling his or her volunteer (service learning) hours.

• All library volunteers receive free parking validation.

How To Volunteer:

Throughout the year BCPL accepts volunteers in most of our branch locations. For more information about the location of our branches, please consult the map of branch locations.

To begin the volunteer application process complete and submit an online volunteer application or print it out and take it to any BCPL branch. You may also get a paper application at any BCPL branch. If volunteer opportunities are available, a Volunteer Coordinator will contact you. The number of volunteer positions available are determined by each branch.

If you have any questions about our volunteer program, please feel free to call the branch in which you would like to volunteer and ask for the Volunteer Coordinator.