San José Public LibraryVolunteer Away Your Fines
Clear Your Fines
Tired of not being able to use your library card? Eliminate your fines by volunteering. Fines will be cleared from your account at a rate of $20 per hour.
There are plenty of different volunteer activities available that don’t even call for specific skills or experience. Assist with branch programs, library events, and maintaining a welcoming environment in our facilities. We’ll be here with you every step of the way to provide guidance and support.
Details and Requirements
- Must be able to complete the full duration of the volunteer activity. Please arrive 15 minutes early to update your library account information and sign-in
- Anyone under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
- No experience or special skills necessary
- Training and supplies will be provided
- Volunteer at any of the San José Public Library locations
FAQs
Can I participate in the Volunteer Away Your Fines program?
- The Volunteer Away Your Fines program is open to all San José Public Library patrons. You must first register through Better Impact by selecting a specific volunteer opportunity.
- Volunteers under the age of 15 need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- Volunteers are required to complete the full duration of their volunteer session and arrive 15 minutes early to update their library account information.
Can I still participate if I don't have library fines?
Although the main objective is to eliminate economic barriers to library use, the Volunteer Away Your Fines program is open to all San Jose Public Library members regardless of whether they have fines or not.
How much money is cleared if I volunteer for 1 hour?
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 of your accrued library fines.
Which types of library fines are covered by this program?
Volunteer Away Your Fines can be utilized to remove the following fines/fees from your account:
- All San José Public Library fines/fees related to:
- Overdues
- Damaged material
- Material replacement
- Collection Agency
- Link+ overdues
- Volunteer Away Your Fines does not include fines/fees related to:
- SJSU
- Link+ replacement
- Interlibrary Loan
Learn more about fines and fees on the Borrower Guidelines page or view the Schedule of Fines Fees handout (PDF, 58 KB).
Do I have to pre-register to participate in a Volunteer Away Your Fines opportunity?
Yes, in order for branches to have an accurate attendance estimate, we ask that you register through Better Impact by selecting the volunteer opportunity that interests you.
How do I register for a Volunteer Away Your Fines opportunity?
You can register for an opportunity through Better Impact by selecting the volunteer opportunity that interests you.
Can I register at an event?
It is necessary to register prior to the event through Better Impact since each opportunity will have limited slots and a cut-off date.
Do I need to fill out an application through Better Impact?
It is necessary to register prior to the event by filling out an application through Better Impact.
Can I volunteer away the fines from a library card that does not belong to me?
You may select to waive the fines from another card from within your immediate family.
Can I bring my children to volunteer with me?
Definitely, the more the merrier. If you volunteer alongside a family member, then both of your time counts towards waiving away fines.
Do children have to register through Better Impact for an event?
It is not necessary for children to register. Families can register through Better Impact as a group.
Can I work off all my library fines in one day?
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. Volunteer Away Your Fines opportunities vary in length of time from branch to branch.
Can I volunteer at any of the library branches within San José?
Definitely. You can volunteer at whichever locations have available opportunities that fit your needs.
Should I bring my library card with me to a Volunteer Away Your Fines event?
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.
Why do I need to arrive 15 minutes prior to my volunteer opportunity?
Volunteer Away Your Fines participants are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to their volunteer session to update their library accounts, get a new library card (if needed), and check-in with the event host.
Will the library store my belongings while I volunteer?
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.
Can this program be used for volunteer services hours?
Volunteer Away Your Fines can indeed be used for service hours, Library staff will be more than happy to sign off on your volunteer hours.