FLP - Volunteer Services

Free Library of Philadelphia

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Volunteering at the Free Library of Philadelphia is a rewarding and fun experience. We have many opportunities at Parkway Central Library and our 53 neighborhood branches throughout the city, including the Library for the Blind and the Physically Handicapped. Our volunteers help us with special events; assist Philadelphia’s New Americans gain familiarity with a new language by acting as a English Language Facilitator; help departments maintain their collections; provide senior citizens with one-on-one with computer assistance; and help to shelve both new and returned material.

To join our team of Library-loving volunteers you should:

Be least 14 years of age.
Be available to volunteer at least 1–3 hours a week for at least 2–3 months. (Some evening, Saturday, and short-term opportunities are available — See below.)
Have the ability to work alone or with others (other volunteers, staff, or patrons).

To help make a difference at the Free Library, please print out a Volunteer Application and return it to:

Volunteer Services Program
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

You can also email us the form at volunteer@freelibrary.org or bring it to your local neighborhood branch.

Once you return the completed application, we will contact you and schedule an interview to discuss your interests and volunteer options.

Seasonal Volunteer Opportunities:

If you are unable to commit to volunteering for our suggested 2–3 month window, a seasonal volunteer position might be right for you! Available positions change throughout the year and can be found in our current listings.

Special Volunteer Opportunities at Parkway Central Library:

Parkway Central Library, the hub of the 54-location Free Library system, has a number of particular projects in need of volunteers.

Shelving Volunteers
With its vast collection of books, DVDs, and audiobooks, Parkway Central is in need of detail-oriented volunteers to assist in restocking new and returned material.
Senior Computer Tutor
A tutor, with a strong knowledge of computers and technology, is needed to assist senior citizens in building their computer skills. The tutor helps access information and answers questions in a one-on-one setting.
English Language Facilitator.
Volunteers are needed to assist non-native speakers become more familiar with English in a small group setting. After a English Conversation Group training, volunteers hold weekly classes in neighborhood libraries throughout the city. Commitment is 6-8 weekly class meetings.
Collection Care Assistant
Volunteers are needed to help various departments maintain material within their collections. This might include cataloging, sorting and cleaning items in the collection.

Special Opportunities for Young Volunteers:

Students in grades 7–12 can lend their helping hands to the Free Library, too! We have many opportunities for students in the following areas: Shelving, Clerical Aide and Teen Book Critic.

Masters of Library and Information Science Internships:

Interested Graduate students can enhance their educational program of study with a wide variety of opportunities that can be experienced volunteering in a large urban public library setting. For more information about unpaid internships with The Free Library, please contact The Office of Public Service Support at 215-686-5372 or via email at internships@freelibrary.org

Corporate / Group Volunteer Opportunities:

Group volunteers are welcome at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Please call the Volunteer Office at 215-686-5340 for additional information.

Special Opportunities at the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped:

Located at 919 Walnut Street, the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped offers volunteers the opportunity to serve in the following capacities:

Quality Assurance
Description: Inspecting condition of book cassettes.
Book Readers for Audio Tape
Description: Record books for the visually impaired.

Volunteering in the City of Philadelphia:

This new, user-friendly website is the perfect place for Philadelphians of all ages to find volunteer opportunities that match their skills and interests. It is also an ideal resource for non-profit organizations, community groups and block-captains who want to recruit volunteers throughout the year. www.SERVEPhiladelphia.com

Questions? Contact Volunteer Services Program at 215-686-5340 or email at volunteer@freelibrary.org.