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Volunteer & Donate

Volunteer Services Icon with Raised Hands

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering at your local library is a great way to:

  • Use your talents
  • Provide valuable service to the community
  • Learn new skills
  • Meet great people
  • Reduce your fines through service

Featured Opportunity: Volunteering This Summer

adult volunteer helping two young girls participate in the summer learning program

Spend your summer with us and make a positive impact in your community! With just 1-3 hours per week, teen and adult volunteers can help support our Summer Learning and Free Summer Food programs. Sign up to volunteer and play a pivotal role in encouraging lifelong learning to youth.

Choose Your Volunteer Adventure

Select one of the following opportunities to sign up:

Volunteers wearing masks for Volunteer Away Your Fines take a break and smile for the camera.

Volunteer Away Your Fines

Do you have library fines? Volunteer them away.

A Tech Mentor shows a learner how to perform a job search on the computer at one of the library branches.

Tech Mentor

Share your computer skills with others from your community.

Teen volunteer straightening up the DVD section at a library branch

Library Services Volunteer

Assist at your local library with a variety of tasks and services.

Volunteer explaining coding to two young boys on a laptop.

Coding5k Program Leader

Lead a series of coding workshops using a provided curriculum.

Two orderly rows of teensReach volunteers smile for the camera with one precocious teen poses by lying down in front of the first row of teens.

teensReach

Participate in library activities by joining the youth advisory council (ages 13-18).

A friend of the library shares a presentation of all of the good things that the Friends of the Library do for SJPL.

Friends of the Library

Join a wonderful team by assisting with fundraising.

A tutor works with a child on a reading assignment during Homework Club.

Homework Club Volunteer

Foster academic success! Help K-8th grade kids with their homework.

A group of Conversation Club members gather around a table to practice their language skills.

ESL Conversation Club Facilitator

Facilitate a welcoming environment to practice English.

A tutor and adult learning study a worksheet together at Partners in Reading.

Adult Literacy Tutor

Work with adults to improve their reading and writing skills.

More Volunteer Opportunities

Contact Us

Volunteer Services

Email: volunteer@sjlibrary.org

opened mail iconSign Up for our Volunteer Services eNewsletter

Headshot of friendly Jason Pell with Consuelo the Goose, a stuffed animal
Jason Pell
Volunteer Services Analyst
1-408-808-2085

Headshot of smiling Robert Miranda
Robert Miranda
Volunteer Coordinator
1-408-808-2181

Volunteer News

Welcome SJPL Summer Volunteers

Thank You for Your Eagerness to Serve as a Summer Volunteer! Whether you’re volunteering for school service credits or to make a positive impact in your community, volunteering at San José Public Library is fun. With just 1-3 hours per week, teen and adult volunteers help support our Summer Learning and Free Summer Food programs. Summer Opportunities Summer Learning Ambassador: Volunteers play a pivotal role in encouraging San José school... read more

The 2018 Volunteers of the Year

Volunteers of the Year Every year, each of our 24 branches and units selects a volunteer they want to acknowledge as their Volunteer of the Year. From these nominees, one volunteer is selected for system-wide recognition as San José Public Library’s Volunteer of the Year. As always we recognize the great contributions and efforts of all our winners. Join us in congratulating the 2018 SJPL System Volunteer of the Year — Kathy Boyd ... read more

SJPL Foundation

San Jose Public Library Foundation icon with an ornate tree blossoming from a golden valley.

Your monetary donation helps to support collections, technology and programs throughout San José's public libraries.

Donate Your Materials

Friends of the San José Public Libraries accept gently used books and media year-round at all library locations.

Current Volunteers