Are you ready to volunteer?
The need for volunteers has never been greater, and the time to get involved has never been better. Finding the opportunity that best suits your skills, availability, and expectations can make all the difference in your experience. Volunteering can open your mind, your heart, and your hands to helping your community and building a better future for all of us. Help out once or help out once a week and be a part of a great community!
Questions to ask yourself…
It is good to ask yourself some important questions about your interests, needs, and limitations before you begin searching for volunteer opportunities:
- Do you have a passion that can be pursued through volunteering?
- How much time can you give? Once a week, a few times a month, or every so often?
- What skills would you bring to a nonprofit or volunteer organization?
- Are there new skills or knowledge you would like to acquire?
Opportunities to volunteer…
Many dedicated volunteers help keep our library operating smoothly. Will you be one, too? Orientation and training are provided. Volunteers may assist with:
English Language Learning – conversing with adult speakers of other languages, translating materials.
Tech help – assisting community members during Tech Café.
Event and program support – setting up chairs, hosting, preparing and serving refreshments.
Special projects – occasionally volunteers will be asked to help staff with various projects.
Logistics – receiving, sorting, packing, and moving books.
Circulation – checking-in, shelving, processing, and defrocking books.
Mending books – repairing damaged items in the Library’s “Book Hospital”.
Application Forms and Guidebook
Current Opportunities
Below, please find current volunteer opportunities.
Please note that while general applications are accepted, best consideration is given to applications for a specific position.
• English Language Learning Tutor
The San Juan Island Library is developing a 15 member team to facilitate the English Language Learning (ELL) and children’s enrichment program. The ELL volunteer team will lead classes and conversation groups, work one-on-one with adult learners of English, and facilitate children’s enrichment, creating opportunities for speakers of other languages to practice English, make community contacts, develop cultural competency, and provide resources for non-English speakers to get established in a new environment. This is a part-time hourly volunteer position, 2 hours per week to start. There are no salary, retirement, health, or other regular employment benefits.
Complete job description available here
• Makerspace Facilitator
The library is seeking volunteers to facilitate the Makerspace, a new adult program. Volunteers will facilitate an hour-long drop-in crafting program during which patrons may use crafting equipment such as a sewing machine, Cricut machine, large-format printer, and heat press, as well as smaller crafting kits for jewelry making, hand embroidery, painting, air dry clay, macramé, and more. Volunteers will be responsible for setting up and operating the equipment, and accessing and using the library’s online craft classes through CreativeBug and Cricut Design Space. Volunteers are expected to provide help and answer questions for patrons regarding a variety of crafts or projects. Some training will be provided to correctly and safely operate the equipment. Volunteers are expected to promote a free social learning space where makers of any skill level can connect with others and learn new skills. Volunteers will need to commit to working for up to 5 hours/month and there are no salary, retirement, health, or other regular employment benefits. Ideally, volunteers would be able to start in early 2025.