Volunteering

GPL is looking for volunteers to assist staff with various duties in the library. If you are interested, please read the policy below, then contact the library to be added to our list. A staff member will then be in contact with you. The first step is to complete our Volunteer Interest Form: https://forms.gle/fWTHuSjMTs7Sdk8t7

Volunteer Policy

The Greenfield Public Library Volunteer Program is designed to expand and enhance public service to the community. Volunteers generally provide support services to paid staff; work on special projects; or deliver library materials to the homebound. Volunteers are expected to act in accordance with library policies and to reflect positive customer service attitudes to all library patrons.

Selection of Volunteers
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 a consistent schedule of volunteer hours. Selection of in-house volunteers is the responsibility of the Director and/or Asst. Director in conjunction with the Volunteer Coordinator; selection of delivery volunteers is the responsibility of the Homebound Volunteer Coordinator.

Prospective volunteers are requested to fill out an application form and will be interviewed by one of the above individuals. If there are no suitable volunteer opportunities, application forms will be kept on file for a period of one year. Applicants will be called if a project is identified which matches their interests or qualifications.

In-House Volunteers

• • Roles and Responsibilities
    The library depends on its volunteers for a wide variety of tasks which otherwise need to be assigned to library staff. We therefore ask volunteers to be reliable in their commitment to the library and to notify the library in advance if they are unable to work their regularly schedule time slot. In turn, volunteers will be notified immediately on any given day when the library opens late or closes early for any reason.Individuals are asked to wear a name badge that identifies them as a volunteer while they are working at the library. Volunteers are expected to refer all requests for information to the library staff, other than purely directional questions (e.g. where is the bathroom; where is the children’s room, etc.).Volunteers are asked to keep an accurate record of the hours they work each week, for the use of the Director.
  • Training and Supervision
    The Library Director and Volunteer Coordinator coordinate the in-house volunteer program. Volunteers will receive specific training in their assigned duties from the library staff member who directly supervises their work. All reasonable care will be taken to ensure the safety of volunteers.
  • Work Schedules
    Volunteers shall only work during hours when adequate supervision is available. Typically, a volunteer works a 2-3 hour time slot once each week. Individual work schedules and specific time commitments will be mutually arranged in advance by the volunteer and the Director or immediate supervisor.

Homebound Volunteers

• • Roles & Responsibilities
    The mission of the homebound delivery program is to provide books and other library materials to patrons of the Greenfield Library who are unable to come to the library, whether on a temporary or a permanent basis.Persons needing delivery are referred to the Homebound Volunteer Coordinator. The Coordinator will assess each homebound situation with the goal of assuring safe access and a healthy environment for the delivery volunteer and arranging a suitable match between the homebound patron and the delivery person.
  • Training & Supervision
    The Homebound Volunteer Coordinator supervises the homebound delivery program. The Coordinator provides continual support and guidance to homebound volunteers in their interactions with at-home patrons and in their selection of materials. The Coordinator also works closely with library staff to facilitate borrowing and delivery of library materials to the homebound.
  • Work Schedules
    Individual schedules and specific delivery times will be mutually arranged by the delivery volunteer and the homebound patron.

Community Service
Persons who seek volunteer assignments at the Greenfield Public Library to meet a requirement set by an outside agency for the performance of community service shall be subject to the above selection process and all other provisions of this policy.

Employment of Volunteers in the Library
Volunteers should follow the Town of Greenfield employment process in order to obtain paid employment in the library.

Leaving Volunteer Service
A volunteer selected for work on a special project will discontinue service when that project is completed or terminated, unless other arrangements have been made.

Whenever possible, the library will make an effort to reassign the volunteer. However, if no other mutually suitable volunteer position exists at the time, the volunteer will be asked to discontinue service and his or her application will be kept on file for one year, subject to review should a suitable position become available during that time.

In the event that a volunteer is unable to adequately perform the duties assigned to him or her, and no other appropriate positions are available, the volunteer may be removed from service.