Volunteering FAQs

  • How to Apply

    Some libraries have openings for volunteers to help with programs and services. Please contact your local library for more information.

    There are also several opportunities to volunteer online. Check the How to Apply section for details.

    Help people in your community practice their conversational English skills! The goal of Talk Time is to generate conversation between English Language Learners. This is so learners can practice speaking from their current level of skill.

    Duties

    Your role as a volunteer will be as a facilitator, not a teacher. Teaching reading, writing or grammar is not required. Instead, you will plan and assist in discussion activities.

    Qualifications

      • 18 years or older
      • Washington State Resident
      • Person fluent or proficient in English.
      • Experience or interest in working with multicultural groups.
      • Comfortable communicating with limited English speakers.
      • Open to other ideas and opinions; willing to learn from others
      • Online: Volunteers will need a personal laptop or computer with reliable internet access. This equipment is needed to participate on the Zoom platform. They also must be comfortable using the basic tools in Zoom.

    Time Commitment
    2 hours, 1 day per week

    How to Apply

    Volunteers must complete:

      • Application Form
      • WA state background check
      • Volunteer Agreement Form
      • Interview/Class Observation/Orientation
      • Training (provided by KCLS)
      • Hours and training logged in MyVolunteerPage.com

    Applications are reviewed on an as-needed basis.

    Review Current Talk Time Volunteer Openings and Apply to be a Talk Time Volunteer

    Thank you for your interest in helping out at the library! Please go to our website for volunteers. There, you can find a list of the roles that are open now.

    Provide learning support for students in grades K-12 during Study Zone hours. Study Zone programs include Tutors, Reading Buddies, and Math Club. We offer these programs online and in libraries.

    Roles and Shifts

    In-person shifts

    You will need to go to a library for these shifts.

     

    Role Duties Shift and Age Requirements

    Tutors

     

    ·       Assist students in grades K-12 with homework and study skills.

    ·       Help 1-5 students at a time.

     
    • 2 hours per week
    • Ages 16 and older

     
    Math Club

    ·       Present Math Games lessons

     

    ·       Help small groups of K-5 students with math activities

     
    • 1 hour per week
    • Ages 14 and older

     
    Reading Buddies
    • Share eBooks with students.
    • Coach pronunciation, pace, and comprehension.
    • Help 1-2 students at a time.

     
    • 1 hour per week
    • Ages 15 and older

    Qualifications

    State of Residence

    You must be a Washington State resident to volunteer at Study Zone.

    Age

    Find age requirements for each volunteer role in the charts above. Age requirements are minimums. Adults are welcome to apply for any role except Math Club Instructors.

    Equipment

    To volunteer online, you'll need to have your own equipment so that you can participate on Zoom. You must have a personal laptop or computer with reliable internet access.

    How to Apply

    We accept applications throughout the year.

      • To apply for in-person Study Zone roles, contact the Teen or Children’s Services Librarian at your local library.  Ask if that location is offering in-person Study Zone programs.
      • To apply for an online role, contract studyzone@kcls.org.  Ask for the application for online Tutors, Reading Buddies or Math Club.   

    Holidays and Breaks

    Study Zone is closed during all major holidays and for the following breaks:

      • Mid-winter break (week of Presidents Day in February)
      • Two weeks at the beginning and end of summer
      • Thanksgiving week
      • Winter break (last two weeks of December)

    No. We're not offering volunteer opportunities at library Makerspaces at this time.

    We require all volunteers to complete the following:

      • Washington State Patrol background check
      • King County Library System Disclosure Form
      • Volunteer Agreement Form
      • Parent/Guardian Signature Form (if volunteer is under 18)

    None of these forms ask for your social security number or documentation status. The Washington State Patrol background check and King County Library System Disclosure Form are confidential. Your volunteer supervisor will only share them with our Human Resources department.

    Please review Current Volunteer Opportunities.  If there is a Volunteer Opportunity, you are interested in please read through the volunteer description and click the Fill in an Application found on the upper right-hand corner of each volunteer listing. 

    Some volunteer opportunities are open to ages 18 and older only, while others are open to ages 14 and up.  Please review the description of each Volunteer Opportunity to see the age requirements of each position. 

  • Benefits and Hours

    We receive more inquiries from applicants than we have volunteer tasks available. Most volunteers serve an average of just 5-7 hours per month. As a result, we may not be able to provide enough hours to those in need of fulfilling school or diversion program or community service requirements.

    Volunteers may:

      • Improve their ability to use the library.
      • Enjoy closer interaction with staff and other library users
      • Gain or strengthen useful skills.
        • This includes:
          • mentoring,
          • organization,
          • communication,
          • teamwork, and
          • leadership.
          • Positively represent the library to their community.

    Eligible volunteers may ask for documentation of hours served. We limit letters of reference to a description of tasks performed.

  • Teen Advisory Boards

    A Teen Advisory Board is a group of teen volunteers who meet regularly with a librarian facilitator to offer input on library services and co-design library programs. Teen Advisory Boards help librarians create programs that meet the needs of youth in their community. These programs align with the library’s mission and goals. Contact your local library to learn more about recent events planned for and with teens.

    Most Teen Advisory Boards are open to high school students. Some are open to middle school students as well. Contact your local library to learn what ages your Teen Advisory Board is open to.

    By participating in a Teen Advisory Board, you will:

    1. Learn 21st Century Skills, including creativity, collaboration, communication, leadership, and social skills
    2. Understand the library’s mission and values and how the library works with the community
    3. Become invested in your community to create positive change

    Teen Advisory Board members practice group decision making while organizing and planning events.

    Please see this list of upcoming Teen Advisory Board meetings. Each Teen Advisory Board determines its own meeting schedule. Contact the local librarian listed to find out more and to apply.

    If your local library doesn’t have a Teen Advisory Board, you can contact your local Teen Services Librarian and ask them about setting one up.

    Teen Advisory Board members who volunteer for at least 10 hours within 6 months may ask for a reference letter from their supervisor.

    For job, college, or scholarship applications, your direct supervisor can:

    1. verify the hours you worked,
    2. list the tasks you performed,
    3. and describe how you demonstrated specific volunteer competencies.

    We cannot recommend volunteers for specific jobs, colleges, or scholarships.

    Volunteers may:

      • Improve their ability to use the library.
      • Enjoy closer interaction with staff and other library users
      • Gain or strengthen useful skills.
        • This includes:
          • mentoring,
          • organization,
          • communication,
          • teamwork, and
          • leadership.
          • Positively represent the library to their community.

    Eligible volunteers may ask for documentation of hours served. We limit letters of reference to a description of tasks performed.