Volunteer Policy
Purpose
The Berkeley Public Library's (Library) use of volunteers is intended to enhance library service by supplementing, not replacing, library staff with volunteers. Volunteers raise the visibility of the Library in the community by helping to create an awareness and understanding of the Library and its services. The Library shall use the services of volunteers to:
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Supplement the efforts of paid Library staff in meeting demands for quality public service.
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Serve as a method for encouraging residents to become familiar with their library and the services being offered.
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Serve as a way for residents to gain meaningful experience, meet new people, and make a difference in their community.
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Nothing in this policy shall be deemed to create a contract between the volunteer and the Library. Both the volunteer and the Library have the right to terminate the volunteer's association with the Library at any time, for any reason, with or without cause.
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Volunteers are not paid, and the Library will not provide any medical, health, or worker's compensation benefits for injuries sustained while functioning as a volunteer. The Library tries to ensure that volunteer tasks are always safe. If there is a task a volunteer feels uncomfortable doing, it is their responsibility to let Library staff know. Volunteers will act in accordance with Library policies and reflect positive customer service attitudes to all Library patrons.
Eligibility
A volunteer shall be considered as any individual 14 years or older, who assists with work done at (or for) the Library, without renumeration. Exceptions to the age requirement may be made by the Library Director. Everyone in the community is encouraged to participate in the volunteer program at the Berkeley Public Library. Sometimes, however, a volunteer simply does not match available opportunities.
Selection
All volunteers are selected based on their qualifications in relation to the needs of the Library. All prospective volunteers must complete a Volunteer Application and have a brief interview with either the Library Director or his/her appointee. If there are no opportunities available, application forms will be kept on file for a period of twelve months.
Guidelines
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The Library may depend on volunteers for a wide variety of tasks to supplement the efforts of paid Library staff. Therefore, volunteers are asked to be reliable in their commitment to the Library and notify the Library in advance if they are unable to work their scheduled hours. In turn, scheduled volunteers will be notified immediately on any given day when the Library opens late closes early for any reason.
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Volunteers are expected to dress neatly, be clean and presentable, and shall not wear tank tops, short shorts, open-toed shoes, or any clothing with messages that may be construed as obscene or profane.
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Volunteers are to refer all requests for information from the public to Library staff on duty, other than purely directional questions (e.g. location of restroom).
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Should a volunteer have a grievance with a Library staff member, another volunteer, or a Library patron, every attempt will be made to handle the situation through the Library Director.
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Volunteers will not be used to replace or reduce the number of paid staff.
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Volunteers are recognized as contributors to goals and services of the Library.
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Volunteers are responsible for maintaining confidentiality of all Library information. Failure to maintain confidentiality will results in the individual no longer being eligible to participate as a volunteer at the library.
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Volunteers must adhere to all Library policies, including the rules of conduct and sexual harassment policies.
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Availability of volunteering tasks or a defined amount of hours of volunteering are not guaranteed by the Library, nor should they be assumed by the volunteer.
Volunteer Tasks
As mentioned above, tasks that may be performed by a volunteer are generally to expand library services. These tasks may include:
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Shelf reading of Library collection
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Shelving materials.
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Helping with library programs or projects.
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Light cleaning/janitorial assignments.
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Assisting with special events or displays.
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Preparing materials for crafts and similar hands-on programs.
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Gardening.
ADOPTED by the Board of Trustees this 25th day of September, 2019. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0
REVIEWED by the Board of Trustees this 16th day of November, 2022. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0