The Billerica Public Library Volunteer Program is designed to expand and enhance public service to the community. Volunteers generally provide support services to paid staff and work on special projects. Volunteers are expected to act in accordance with library policies and to reflect positive customer service attitudes to all library patrons.
Adult Library Volunteer Recruitment
When there is an available adult volunteer position, it will be posted to the Billerica Public Library’s Adult Volunteer Opportunities webpage: https://billericalibrary.org/get-involved/volunteer-adult/
Applications for adult volunteer positions will only be reviewed when there is an advertised opening. Unsolicited applications are discouraged and will not be considered for placement.
Teen Library Volunteer Recruitment
Teens interested in volunteering, should visit our Teen Volunteers webpage: https://billericalibrary.org/young-adult/teen-volunteers/ and follow the instructions on that page.
Selection of Volunteers*
Adult volunteers are selected based on their qualifications in relation to the advertised opening and based on their ability to commit to a consistent schedule of volunteer hours. A typical volunteer shift is two hours, but may be shorter or longer depending upon the advertised position.
Teen volunteers are selected based on their qualifications in relation to the needs of the library at any given time, and based on their ability to commit to an agreed upon schedule.
*Please Note: The library cannot accept “drop in” volunteers. Volunteering requires a consistent schedule, training, and preparation of assignment.
Responsibilities and Training
Adult volunteers will be assigned a supervisor, who will provide training and serve as the primary contact.
We ask that volunteers be reliable in their commitment to the library and notify the library in advance if they are unable to work their regularly scheduled shift. In turn, volunteers will be notified immediately on any given day when the library opens late or closes early for any reason.
In order that the library may keep an accurate record of volunteer hours, volunteers are required to sign in on the library’s Volunteer Time Sheet each day.
All volunteers will receive specific training in their assigned duties. All reasonable care will be taken to ensure the safety of volunteers and to make sure the volunteer feels comfortable in their assignment.
CORI Requirement
In order to promote security for library patrons, prior to beginning as a volunteer, all applicants over the age of 18, except for those in the Senior Property Tax program, are required to undergo a Criminal Offender Records Information (CORI) check as a final step in the volunteer screening process. In order to complete this process, applicants must complete a Town of Billerica CORI Request Form to authorize the Town to run a CORI check. Per Town policy, any adult volunteer that will be in the library unattended, including those volunteering for the Family Friends of the Billerica Public Library and the Billerica Public Library Foundation, will be required to undergo a CORI check through the Town.
Community Service
Persons who seek volunteer assignments at the Billerica Public Library to meet a requirement set by an outside agency for the performance of community service shall be subject to the above recruitment and selection process and all other provisions of this policy.
Revised and adopted by a vote of the Board of Library Trustees on November 26, 2012, as amended on December 1, 2014 and September 13, 2021