Library-Teen Volunteer Application

Guidelines for Library Volunteers

 Public libraries are bound by California state law on confidentiality.

The same rules of conduct apply to volunteers.

• Never repeat information regarding customers.
• Never access customer information (addresses, phone numbers, books checked out by a customer, etc.) in a library database. Library employees and volunteers abide by a very strict code of customer confidentiality that is never to be breached, under any circumstances.
• Never sign a legal document as a witness.
• Avoid conversations with customers concerning politics, religion, medical or legal advice.

General Requirements

• Teen volunteers must be 12-18 years old and in 7^th-12^th grade.
• Adult volunteers must be 18 or older.
• Volunteers are required to complete a background check.
• Volunteers must be able to listen to instructions carefully, carry out tasks as instructed by the librarian, always be friendly to library customers, refer all questions to the librarian, and enjoy working with the public.
• Minimum commitment is 20 hours per year.
• Volunteers must record their own volunteer hours as directed by their Site Supervisor.
• Volunteers are allowed two excused absences, after that your spot may be given to a new volunteer. An absence is excused if you contact us at least one hour prior to your shift start time.

Volunteer Dress Code

• Volunteers must wear a volunteer badge at all times while working for the library.
• Volunteers must wear closed-toed shoes for safety.
• Volunteers represent the library and are expected to dress neatly and modestly while volunteering. No spaghetti strap tops, short-shorts, torn or frayed clothing or clothes with political/controversial messages or graphics are allowed. When in doubt, don’t wear it.

Book Reviewer

• Requirements and Commitment: In addition to the guidelines listed above, should enjoy reading and writing and must be able to write in a conversational way with minimal grammar and spelling errors. Must write a minimum of four reviews.
• Job Description: Read and review books. Each book review needs to be typed and submitted via an online form. Six hours of volunteer time will be given for reading the book and completing all required questions on the online form. Work can be completed offsite.

Children’s Department Assistant

• Training: Must attend a mandatory training each year.
• Schedule and Attendance: Shift time determined by library’s needs and availability. The volunteer coordinator will let you know how to report an absence.
• Job Description: Assist the Children’s Department by tidying the play area, dusting/cleaning books and shelves, preparing crafts, shelving children’s materials, and other miscellaneous projects as assigned. You may also be assigned to help with special events (scavenger hunts, performers, crafts, games, Foundation events, etc.) by counting participants, taking attendance, helping performer or participants as needed, and setting up and cleaning up the program area. During the summer, volunteers will tell children and parents about the Summer Reading Program, encourage library customers to participate, award prizes, update reading logs and keep records for staff.

YAAC (Young Adult Advisory Council) Member

• Requirements and Commitment: In addition to the guidelines listed above, must live in Newport Beach, care about library services for teens, eager to be part of a team, enthusiastic about participating in book and movie discussions with your peers, and ready to serve your community by providing input to Newport Beach Public Library staff. Minimum commitment is 20 hours of volunteer work per year, in addition to the monthly meeting.
• Schedule and Attendance: Meetings are held September through June on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. The volunteer coordinator will let you know how to report an absence.
• Job Description: Since 1994, members of the Young Adult Advisory Council have helped staff improve the way the Newport Beach Public Library serves young people. In addition to contributing valuable input about what they'd like to see on library shelves, they've planned many teen programs. Members are expected to actively participate in monthly meetings and to volunteer to assist with library events and programs.

NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY

VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT

In consideration for the City of Newport Beach Public Library (“City”) allowing me or, if applicable, my minor child, to participate as a volunteer, I agree for myself and, if applicable, for my minor child as follows:

1. Volunteer.  I understand that I am not an employee of the City, and that no civil service status, benefits, insurance, compensation, consideration, or other right of employment shall accrue, or be due, to me.

2. Guidelines. I have read and understand the volunteer guidelines, and agree to comply with the guidelines. Further, I agree to comply with all applicable laws, rules, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures while volunteering.

3. Termination. I understand and agree that the City may terminate my status as a volunteer at any time, with or without cause, in its sole and absolute discretion.

4. Medical Treatment. In the event of an emergency, I hereby authorize the Released Parties to make healthcare decisions and administer medical treatment to me if I am not capable of making healthcare decisions or administering medical treatment for myself.

5. Background Check.  I hereby authorize the City to conduct an employment-related fingerprinting and live scan background check on me. (15 years and older.)

6. Assumption of the Risk. I am aware that participation as a volunteer could result in injury to myself or others, including but not limited to, bodily injury, personal injury, death, disability, illness, property damage, or loss (hereinafter, “Risk of Injury”). I acknowledge that participation is voluntary, and do so with full knowledge of the Risk of Injury. To the extent authorized by law, I hereby accept responsibility for any and all Risk of Injury on behalf of myself, and my descendants, dependents, spouse, domestic partners, heirs, executors, administrators, devisees, representatives and assigns, and anyone who might claim on behalf thereof (hereinafter, “Releasors”).

7. Waiver and Release. To the extent authorized by law, on behalf of myself and Releasors I hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the City, its officials, officers, agents, representatives, volunteers, employees, contractors, commissions, committees, foundations, partners, organizations, and other such persons, entities, or bodies working in concert therewith  (hereinafter, “Released Parties”) from any and all liability for claims, demands, causes of action, damages, judgments, costs or expenses, compensation, consideration, remuneration, benefits, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees and costs (hereinafter, “Claims”), that are caused by, arise out of, in connection with, or result from my participation as a volunteer, except to the extent of the intentional misconduct of the Released Parties.

8. Unknown Claims. I understand that this release and waiver extends to all claims of every kind or nature whatsoever, either in law or in equity, foreseen or unforeseen, known or unknown, which arise or may hereafter arise from my participation as a volunteer, and that this release and waiver discharges the Released Parties from any Claims that I and the Releasors may have against the Released Parties. Further, on behalf of myself and Releasors, I hereby waive all rights under California Civil Code § 1542, which states:

A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.

9. Name and Likeness. I hereby irrevocably grant worldwide rights to the Released Parties to copyright, publish, reproduce, exhibit, transmit, televise, digitize, display, and otherwise use and permit others to use my name, image, likeness and voice captured during the period of time that I am a volunteer, in any photographs, recordings, video, audio, writings or other publication in any form or medium whatsoever, including derivative works, now or hereafter created, for any purpose including, but not limited to, advertising, marketing, promotion, internet and social media, distributing to contractors, affiliates, or other third parties, or any other purpose whatsoever, without remuneration, compensation, royalties or other consideration to me, and I understand and agree that such material shall be the exclusive property of City to use in any manner in its sole and absolute discretion.

10. Defense and Indemnity. To the extent authorized by law, I hereby promise to defend and indemnify the Released Parties from any and all Claims that are caused by, arise out of, in connection with, or result from my participation as a volunteer, except to the extent of the sole negligence or willful misconduct of the Released Parties.

I CERTIFY THAT I HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND VOLUNTARILY AGREE TO THE ABOVE, AND THAT MY CONSENT IS NOT BASED ON ANY PROMISES, CONDITIONS, STATEMENTS, REPRESENTATIONS, OR OTHER INDUCEMENTS NOT SET FORTH HEREIN. 

(If the volunteer is under the age of eighteen, signature by a parent or legal guardian is required.)