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Volunteer
Volunteen
Prince George's County teens can earn service hours through participating in our VolunTEEN program. All teens need to do is submit the appropriate information needed for each VolunTEEN prompt. If all of the necessary information is not provided, teens will not earn the service hour. Teens may earn up to 12 service hours through our VolunTEEN program. This program is for grades 6-12.
Sign up today for the VolunTEEN program!
Download the Beanstack app! Available for iOS and Android.
In February 1972, the Prince George's County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) received a federal grant from the Library Services and Construction Act, Title I funds, to initiate a volunteer program for one year. As stated in the original proposal, the objectives of the project were to extend library services beyond the capabilities of the library staff and develop better public relations and support in the community.
In July 1973, the Library took over the responsibility for funding and maintaining the volunteer project within its own budget. Valuable contributions are made by volunteers to the Library's mission of promoting and making available resources that fill the lifelong learning needs of the citizens and residents of Prince George's County.
PGCMLS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry or national origin, sex, religion, age, marital status, disability or perceived disability, occupation, political opinion, personal appearance, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other prohibited basis in employment or the provision of services.
Volunteer Assignments
Age Requirement
The minimum age requirement for volunteers at PGCMLS is 14.
Categories of Volunteers
There are two categories of volunteers at PGCMLS - temporary and regular. Temporary volunteers are those who have an assignment on a limited or intermittent basis. Regular volunteers are enrolled for a specific, continuing schedule for a period of at least six months.
Schedules
The number of hours volunteers contribute depends upon their assignments but most regular volunteers average 2-6 hours per week, with a maximum of 10 hours per week allowed. Regular volunteers are scheduled a minimum of three hours per month.
Temporary volunteers may exceed more than 10 hours per week, although only for a short period of time.
Adjustments in schedules and assignments may be made to provide the best possible public service.
Policies
Each volunteer is assigned to a Volunteer Advisor who provides training and support and serves as a link between the volunteer and the rest of the staff. Volunteers are expected to be familiar with and follow the policies and procedures of the Library to ensure a positive experience.
The following are examples of volunteer assignments. No volunteer, either regular or temporary, may be assigned to the Circulation or Information Desks at any time. The library is now accepting volunteers. Please check with your local library for more information. Volunteers must be vaccinated.
Library Aide - Volunteers assist library staff with general library or office work around the library.
Computer Aide - Assists novice users in performing basic commands; performs basic troubleshooting. Aides with extensive computer experience may offer one-on-one tutoring or conduct workshops for small groups on computer basics, word processing, spreadsheets and other software available on Library computers. Volunteers may be subject to a basics test
Facility Aide - Assists with various facility duties such as straightening up areas after use; dusting; picking up and disposing of debris inside or outside the facility.
Program Aide - Assists with story times, puppet theaters and other programs.
Seek applications from your local library. Ask for the volunteer coordinator.
Intercultural Services Opportunitues!
Facilitators or assistant for the Language Conversation Club - The role of the facilitator is to plan and lead activities that promote English conversational skills for adult English language learners, or for Spanish Conversation Clubs, for those adults interested in promoting their Spanish conversation skills, all in a welcoming, fun and respectful environment. Other language conversation clubs include French and American Sign language. There are multiple locations available and schedules to select from.
Kids Achieve Club - The role of the homework helper is to promote the education of students through reading to children in grades 1st-6th and provide homework assistance. Homework helpers are not required to be bilingual, however there’s a high need for the following languages: Spanish, Farsi, Dari, Pashto, Arabic, Amharic, French and ASL. Teens over the age of 15 are welcomed to apply and can earn credit towards community service hours. There are multiple locations available and schedules to select from.
Please only fill out the interest form if you are able to volunteer for Intercultural Services.
Intercultural Services Application
Interview Timelines:
Starts in June - recruiting volunteers for programs starting in September.
Starts in November - recruiting volunteers for programs starting in January.
"Volunteering with the Kids Achieve Club has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Every session came with the sweet sense of satisfaction that I am playing a role in helping the next generation prosper. Being a part of this community has been a wonderful experience. I am forever grateful to PGCMLS."
- anonymous volunteer
Volunteer Opportunities
Want to suggest a volunteering opportunity? Contact PR@pgcmls.info!
Find out more
To find out more about the availability of any volunteer opportunities, contact the branch at which you would like to volunteer. Applications for temporary and regular volunteer service are available at the branches.