Library - Alviso Branch

The application period for the Summer 2022 Teen Library Services Volunteer has closed.

Now accepting Applications for the Fall: Please apply by August 19, 2022, and start your first shift by August 26th, 2022.

Get work experience and earn references as a library services volunteer where you will work with our staff to serve the community by assisting in the organization and upkeep of the Berryessa Branch of the San Jose Public Library.

This is a clerical/administrative role. Preference will be given to candidates who are interested in applying for a Library Aide position in the City of San Jose or an equivalent position in another city.

If you are interested in an opportunity where you can practice more leadership and teamwork skills which colleges desire, please sign up for our Active Teens Reach Opportunity.

Duties and Responsibilities

Process/Inventory Wee Play and Learn Activity Boxes.

Process Storytime Toys so that they are ready for use.

Organize collections through tidying displays.

Organize collections through shelving fiction materials.

Organize collections through shelf-reading.

Extra Duties as Needed

Process seeds for the Seed Library

Other duties as assigned

Travel Requirements

Currently, this opportunity is not available at the Alviso Branch. When you apply, if you express an interest for this position, your account will be transferred to the Berryessa Branch. You will also have to commute to the Berryessa Branch to volunteer.

Expected Commitment

1.5 to 2 hours per week for the duration of the semester or summer.

Applications for this position are due within 2 weeks of the start of the semester or summer according to the academic calendar of the East Side Union High School District. Adjustments of Start/End Dates based on the schedules of other schools/districts are available upon request before starting the position. Two volunteers will be accepted per semester/summer.

Requirements

1. An application submitted before the due dates mentioned below.
2. Review the  Volunteer Handbook, which will be emailed to you, and be aware of the following branch-specific policies.
   1. In some instances, you hours will be auto-logged, but it is still your responsibility to make sure that all hours that you have volunteered will be credited to you.
   2. The volunteer handbook says to contact your Coordinator of Volunteer Engagement if you will be late or absent, however, as you are a teen volunteer, I am you onsite supervisor, so you will contact me if you are going to be late or absent from a shift you sign up for.
   3. Do not use electronic devices if they will interfere with completing your assigned volunteer tasks.
   4. Do not visit with friends who are not volunteering with you.
   5. No eating or drinking on the public floor (bottled water is permissible). You may take a break to eat if volunteering for 4 hours or more in a day. Please inform me when you are taking a break.
   6. Do not bring a child/sibling you must supervise.
   7. While we will allow you to use onsite lockers to store valuables, please make sure to bring your own lock, and the library cannot be held responsible for lost or stolen items.
3. Sign and submit the volunteer signature form: a link will be sent to you after you apply and answer some questions.
4. Verify your vaccination status prior to beginning your volunteer assignment.
5. Additionally, you will be required to attend an orientation when in-person volunteering and onsite meetings resume.

2021/2022 Due Dates:

Summer: June 17, 2022

Attendance Policy

This is a role that requires commitment to a weekly schedule. Last-Minute excused absences will be allowed for illness or family emergencies if you notify the volunteer coordinator, Shih Fa Kao. However, if you need time off for vacations, this should be negotiated before you begin your position. Request for Time for other reasons should be made at least two weeks in advance. Excessive absences could result in the end of your position.

Reference and Letters of Recommendation Policy

Teen volunteers who complete their agreed-upon terms of service can request that the Teens Reach Coordinator serve as a reference for employment. Requests for Letters of Recommendation will be evaluated by the Teens Reach Coordinator on a case-by-case basis. However, as this position is not structured in a way to deliver the leadership and teamwork experience that colleges desire, the Teens Reach Coordinator will decline writing letters for prompts that they cannot adequately address with the experience and accomplishments of a teen volunteer.

What's Next?

This is the steps of our application process after you have completed an application:

1) You will receive 3 emails with questions regarding your vaccination status, goals for volunteering, and availability. Please answer these questions promptly, so that we can move forward with your application. Even if you have already selected and applied for a role, please still take the time to answer these questions, so that we can make sure that the role that you have selected will be appropriate for the goal that you want to meet.

2) After you have answered the 3 emails, you will be sent a list of recommended roles at the Berryessa Branch. Please choose 1 or more of these roles, and I will discuss with you how the schedule for that role will be set up.

Thank you for your patience during this process. I usually send these questions out to you within a few days of submitting your application. If you are not getting these questions, please check your SPAM folder, and if you still cannot find them, please send me an email at shih.kao@sjlibrary.org.

What's Next?

This is the steps of our application process after you have completed an application:

1) You will receive 3 emails with questions regarding your vaccination status, goals for volunteering, and availability. Please answer these questions promptly, so that we can move forward with your application. Even if you have already selected and applied for a role, please still take the time to answer these questions, so that we can make sure that the role that you have selected will be appropriate for the goal that you want to meet.

2) After you have answered the 3 emails, you will be sent a list of recommended roles at the Berryessa Branch. Please choose 1 or more of these roles, and I will discuss with you how the schedule for that role will be set up.

Thank you for your patience during this process. I usually send these questions out to you within a few days of submitting your application. If you are not getting these questions, please check your SPAM folder, and if you still cannot find them, please send me an email at shih.kao@sjlibrary.org.