To apply to be a library volunteer, review the opportunities and complete an online application.
Once you select the specific volunteer opportunity that interests you, you will be taken to a page where you can fill out an application. After you complete your application, a library staff member will contact you in 1–2 weeks about the volunteering screening process.
Related Page: Volunteer Services
Maybe. The library occasionally has opportunities for community groups. Please contact Volunteer Services for details.
Yes. Contact Volunteer Services to talk about your options.
The same process applies for all ongoing volunteers. Each volunteer is brought on with an expectation to volunteer for a six-month commitment. All ongoing volunteers who are 18+ will need to submit a fingerprint background check prior to starting.
Of course! We recommend that you contact the Volunteer Services office to discuss your options. You may be able to complete some or all of your service hours at the library depending on how many hours you need and how much time you have to do them.
15 or older for most activities. If you are between the ages of 13-14, you can gain community service hours through Teens Reach, a youth council for the San José Public Library.
Additionally most Volunteer Away Your Fines opportunities are open to people of any age, but anyone under 15 needs to be accompanied by an adult guardian.
All volunteers under the age of 18 must have their legal guardian sign the Volunteer Signature Form, as well.
Related Page: Volunteer Services
The library relies on our volunteers to commit to a set schedule each week. This schedule is discussed and agreed upon when you first meet with a library staff member.
Related Page: Volunteer Services
Our opportunities require a regular, ongoing commitment. Our minimum required commitment is six months from your start date.
Although our one-time volunteer opportunities are designed for people who want to waive their Library fines through service, they are open to anyone. You can see upcoming one-time volunteer events on our Volunteer Away Your Fines page.
If you are interested in short-term volunteer opportunities, we suggest looking into the following organizations that may be able to help.
Related Page: Volunteer Services
All of our ongoing volunteer opportunities require training, so we require a minimum commitment of six months.
Opportunities that teach technology or literacy/language skills typically require a longer commitment. A typical shift is 1-2 hours once a week.
Related Page: Volunteer Services
Each of our 25 library locations have a varied number of volunteer opportunities.
Follow this link to browse our current opportunities by location.
Related Page: Volunteer Services
We have a variety of opportunities for those interested in strengthening the services provided by the San José Public Library.
Opportunities range from leading library programs that serve the community (e.g. Coding classes, ELL Conversation/Homework Clubs, Tech Mentors, Readers to Children, etc.) to operational activities (e.g. shelving, shelf reading, maintaining a clean and welcoming environment, etc.) to providing outreach services.
Related Page: Volunteer Services
The Volunteer Away Your Fines program is open to all San José Public Library users. You must first register by contacting the library branch hosting the specific volunteer event.
Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines
Yes, your San José Public Library card is needed to sign in at all of the Volunteer Away Your Fines events. We recommend that you always bring your library card with you when you visit the library.
Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines
Yes, Volunteer Away Your Fines can be used for service hours. Library staff will be more than happy to sign off on your volunteer hours.
Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines
We ask that you keep your belongings with you at all times. Please leave large items (e.g. backpacks, skateboards, etc.) at home since the library has limited space to store belongings while you volunteer.
Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines
Volunteer Away Your Fines events start on time, so participants are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to their volunteer session for a number of reasons:
Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines
Definitely. You can volunteer at whichever locations have available opportunities that fit your needs.
Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines
That depends on how many fines you have and how many volunteer sessions are available on a single day. You can volunteer away your fines at a rate of $20 per hour. The duration of Volunteer Away Your Fines opportunities vary in length from branch to branch.
Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines
The majority of Volunteer Away Your Fines events are open to all ages with the exception of a few opportunities which require an age limit due to the nature of the activity. Anyone under the age of 15 will need to volunteer alongside an adult guardian.
If you choose to volunteer with your child, then both of your time counts towards waiving away fines. When you pre-register, simply inform the library branch of how many people will be accompanying you.
Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines
You may select to waive the fines from another library card belonging to a member within your immediate family.
Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines
It is necessary to pre-register for an event since each event has limited slots available.
Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines
You can register for a Volunteer Away Your Fines event by contacting the library branch that is hosting the volunteer opportunity that interests you.
Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines
Volunteer Away Your Fines can be utilized to remove the following fines/fees from your account:
Please note, fines for lost or damaged devices, such as Chromebooks, laptops, and iPads, may be waived without needing to participate in the VAYF program.
Related Page: Borrow & Return, Volunteer Away Your Fines, SJ Access: Free Internet & Tech Devices
If you participate in the Volunteer Away Your Fines program, you are able to volunteer off your library fines at a rate of $20 per hour, or select to waive the fines on another card from within your immediate family. You can register to volunteer as many times necessary to remove all your accrued library fines.
Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines
Although the main objective is to eliminate economic barriers to library use, the Volunteer Away Your Fines program is open to everyone regardless of whether they have fines or not.
Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines
Yes, in order for branches to have an accurate attendance estimate, we ask that you register by contacting the library branch hosting the specific volunteer event that interests you.
Related Page: Volunteer Away Your Fines
The Volunteer Away Your Fines program is open to all San José Public Library users. You must first register by contacting the library branch hosting the specific volunteer event.
For more information, visit our Volunteer Away Your Fines page.
Volunteer Away Your Fines is a program aimed at returning library access to all users. Library members have the opportunity to reduce, or even eliminate, their library fines by volunteering at a rate of $20.00 per hour, no experience required.
For more information, visit our Volunteer Away Your Fines page.
No Late Fees on Items Returned After July 1, 2024
As of July 1, 2024, late fees no longer accrue for items returned on or after July 1, 2024. Lost/damaged items fines still occur. Late fees on items returned before July 1, 2024, remain on your account.
Before you Pay, find a different way!
Participate in our Access Programs. These programs offer other ways to eliminate your fines:
Related Pages: Borrow & Return, Read Away Your Fines, Volunteer Away Your Fines, Book Replacement Program
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