Volunteer Policy

Last Updated Date

The Wixom Public Library welcomes community volunteers. Volunteers give support services to paid staff in meeting the needs for quality public service and provide assistance with special or supplemental services and tasks that further the library’s mission. Volunteers supplement, but do not replace, the work done by library staff.

  1. Categories of Volunteers. Library volunteers are identified as persons who regularly perform duties or tasks for the library for a period of time without wages or benefits. The Friends of the Library volunteers are governed by their own policies and bylaws and, as such, are not regulated by this policy.
    1. General – Members of the public who wish to volunteer their time in support of the Wixom Public Library.
    2. Community Service Workers – Persons referred by the courts of Oakland County for community service work. A community service worker must be a legal resident of Wixom.
    3. Teens – Students ages 14-17 who are required to earn service hours as part of school programs or who are looking to give back to their community. All volunteers must be age 14 or older.
  2. Coordinators. The Library Director shall designate volunteer coordinators to oversee the volunteer program. The volunteer coordinator(s) may enlist other staff to assist in volunteer training and volunteer program administration.
  3. Application Process. All individuals interested in volunteering must complete a volunteer application and submit it to the volunteer coordinator listed on the application.
    1. General Volunteer Application: Applicants ages 18 and over must complete the General Volunteer Application. Specific terms of service will depend on the area of volunteer interest.
      1. Community Service Workers: Applicants requesting a limited or particular number of hours of volunteering to fulfill a court-ordered requirement must complete the Community Service section on the Volunteer Application.
    2. Teen Volunteer Application. Teens interested in volunteering must complete the Teen Volunteer Application.
      1. The Library may only accept teen volunteers ages 14-17 per Michigan’s Youth Employment Standards Act.
      2. All teen volunteers must receive written permission from their parent or legal guardian to volunteer.
      3. All teen volunteers are required to have a valid work permit.
    3. Background Check. All volunteers ages 18+ will be prescreened with a background check. The Library retains the right to use discretion in accepting court-ordered community service volunteers based on Library needs and the nature of the offense. Individuals with serious criminal charges, such as offenses related to theft, assault, crimes against children, or weapons-related charges, will not be accepted for court-ordered community service.
    4. Notification. All applicants will be contacted by a volunteer coordinator within 7 business days. If there is no suitable volunteer service match with the applicant’s skills or schedule, the application will be kept on file for one (1) year.
  4. General Guidelines
    1. Volunteers are recognized by the public as representatives of the Library. Volunteers will follow all Library policies and customer service standards.
    2. A volunteer nametag shall be worn while volunteering.
    3. All volunteers must adhere to the sign in and sign out procedures.
    4. Volunteers are responsible for updating personal information with their volunteer coordinator, such as a change in phone number, address, or emergency contact information.
    5. Volunteers must immediately report any occurrence of injury, either minor or serious.
    6. Volunteers serve at will and may be discharged with or without cause or notice by the Library Director at any time.
    7. Volunteers are not compensated for their work, nor do they receive benefits, such as health or workers compensation insurance.
  5. Hours
    1. The volunteer coordinator shall determine the hours of the volunteer’s service in coordination with the volunteer. The Library will attempt to accommodate the volunteer’s schedule, but cannot guarantee it.
    2. The Library cannot guarantee a set number of volunteer hours for any volunteer. Volunteers are placed with departments as demand requires.
    3. Volunteers are expected to arrive on time to begin work as scheduled or notify the Library if they will be absent.
    4. All volunteer work must be completed within open Library hours.
    5. A volunteer log with hours worked shall be maintained by the Library.
  6. Duties
    1. Volunteers will be asked to complete mutually agreed upon tasks that are supportive of staff efforts.
    2. The volunteer coordinator(s) are responsible for assigning and supervising tasks.
    3. Volunteers may not:
      1. Perform activities that could reveal confidential patron information.
      2. Use the Integrated Library System (ILS).
    4. Potential volunteer tasks are listed below. Not all opportunities are available at all times. This list of duties may be expanded if other opportunities arise.
      1. Assist with programs and program preparations
      2. Dust books and shelves
      3. Shelf-reading
      4. Straighten and tidy the library
      5. Courtyard garden projects and maintenance
      6. Clerical tasks
      7. Assist with displays and reading lists
      8. Other tasks as assigned