Volunteer Opportunities at Multnomah County Library

Adult Literacy volunteers support learners with GED exam tutoring, English language classes, tutoring for adults learning to read, and other needs such as help with college placement tests, studying for vocational tests, etc. See current Adult Literacy volunteer opportunities and apply here.

Do you want to volunteer in a collaborative learning environment with an emphasis on middle and high school learners? The makerspace at Rockwood Library provides access to innovative technology, equipment, software and supportive mentors.

The makerspace aims to inspire patrons to make - using their hands, provided tools, and imaginations! Volunteers and staff provide a welcoming environment so patrons are supported as they learn and create. Learn more about the Rockwood Makerspace

BIPOC community members and those fluent in languages other than English are encouraged to apply.

Location: Rockwood Library, 17917 SE Stark Street, Portland, OR 97233

Time commitment: Two to four 3-hour shifts per month. We ask volunteers for a commitment to participate for 6 months. Scheduling is flexible; shifts occur Tuesday through Saturday. Many shifts are in the afternoons, some are in the early evenings and some are on Saturdays.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Greet teen and adult makerspace users and help them get oriented to the space.
• Support users working on self-directed projects including video gaming, 3D and 2D design, 3D printing, laser cutting/engraving, sewing, art and more.
• Build relationships with makerspace users.
• Train users on safety rules and equipment use, encourage everyone to follow the Makerspace safety and community agreements.
• Attend scheduled volunteer meetings and networking events.

Skills & Qualifications

•  Interest and desire to engage while working with teen and adult patrons.
• Ability to work and talk effectively with people from different cultures.
• Intermediate technology skills - comfortable using computers for internet browsing and basic troubleshooting.
• Comfortable with asking questions and learning throughout the creation process.
• Patient, flexible, reliable, compassionate, encouraging.  Someone who enjoys celebrating the successes of others.

Benefits

• Be around creative teens and adults that like to make, build and create.
• Use your creative side to try out new activities and equipment, then share your skills and knowledge with others.
• Make a positive impact in the lives of teens and adults as they build community and STEAM skills in the makerspace.

Training & Other Requirements

• Meet with makerspace staff for tour and overview of makerspace offerings.
• Shadow at least one drop-in session.
• Attend specific makerspace training, some of the training is online.
• Site orientation and review of volunteer program policies and procedures.
• Criminal record check for volunteers over 18 years of age (paid for by the library). Results of the records check will be reviewed on an individualized basis. A conviction is not an automatic bar to volunteering.

Looking for an opportunity to volunteer at the library with your certified therapy dog? Read to the Dogs is a popular program that gives kids the opportunity to make a new friend and improve their reading. We are looking for enthusiastic dog/person teams to help young readers build their confidence by practicing their reading skills. All teams must be certified prior to applying. If you’re not yet certified, check out Pet Partners, Portland Area Canine Therapy Teams, or Alliance for Therapy Dogs for more information.

Time Commitment: Minimum two, 1-hour - 2 hour shifts per month for six months 

Current Openings

Capitol Hill Library, Tuesday, Friday or Saturday afternoons. (Starting in January.)

St. Johns Library, Thursdays 1-2 hours, any time between 2:00 - 6:00 pm

Duties

• Accompany certified therapy dog at all times
  

• Facilitate positive reading experiences with young struggling readers
  

• Provide a good interaction between your therapy dog and individual children and parents
  

• Teach children about how to positively interact with animals
  

• Maintain therapy animal certification through the duration of volunteer position
  
  

Qualifications

• Current Certification by Pet Partners, Portland Canine Therapy Team, or Alliance of Therapy Dogs is required
  

• Ability to pass a criminal record check. Results of the records check will be reviewed on an individualized basis. A conviction is not an automatic bar to volunteering.

• Minimum 18 years or older
  

• Patience and flexibility
  

• Comfort working with diverse groups of people and diverse learning abilities
  

• Comfort working with various ages of young children
  

• Fluency in written and spoken English
  

• Empathy and a friendly demeanor
  

• Ability to work as part of a team and to collaborate with volunteers and staff 

Benefits

• Gain leadership skills
  

• Help youth with literacy skills
  

• Interact with children from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds
  

• Engage in a meaningful service
  

• Contribute to our mission: The leading advocate for reading
  
  

Training

• Onboarding and orientation to volunteering at Multnomah County Library staff at the host location
  
  

Do you always get asked by friends and family members to help with their tech issues - and love it? Share your tech skills with library patrons who need help with mobile devices, websites, downloading, e-readers, getting started with tech, and more. 

Tech Help sessions involve working with people one-on-one. Empower patrons by improving their computer skills and their access to information. This is a teaching position; volunteers help the patron find information about using their mobile device or computer and talk them through the steps. The patron will then navigate through the steps themselves.

Currently recruiting: 

Hillsdale Library, 1525 SW Sunset Blvd, Portland, OR 97239 - Sundays, 12 - 2 pm

Rockwood Library, 17917 SE Stark St., Portland, OR 97233

Time commitment: One weekly shift for a minimum of 6 months. Start dates are flexible and the day and time of your shift will be decided in collaboration with the Tech Help team.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Help people use the library catalog and other library electronic resources
• Help people use the Internet and assist with their email accounts
• Teach patron resources related to Microsoft Office, Google Docs, Home Office and other office productivity software
• Assist patrons with learning about personal electronic devices like e-readers, cell phones, laptop computers, tablets and various applications

Skills & Qualifications

• Be familiar and comfortable with computers and mobile devices
• Be proficient and up to date with basic computer software and components, the Internet, using apps and email
• Experience teaching adult learners a plus
• Experience working with people who have diverse educational, economic, and cultural backgrounds
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Ability to be patient and flexible with novice computer users
• 18 years or older
• Ability to pass a criminal record check. Results of the records check will be reviewed on an individualized basis. A conviction is not an automatic bar to volunteering.

Benefits

• Share your technology experience with the community
• Engage in a meaningful service
• Gain experience supporting patrons and their learning goals

Training

• Site orientation at library location before volunteer shift begins

Currently recruiting for:

• Math tutors (All levels, with greatest need for middle school/high school)
• Language Arts tutors  (Kindergarten - 2nd grade)

K-12 Virtual Tutoring 2023 Terms (all on Tuesdays from 4:00 - 6:00 pm)

• Winter Term: Tuesdays, January 9 through February 27, 4:00 - 6:00 pm (8 weeks)

Time Commitment

• Time commitment can run between 1-2 hours per week, over the term.
• We offer tutoring in 2-hour blocks on Tuesday evenings, 4:00 - 6:00 pm.
• Students get a 30-minute slot with a tutor, once a week. We keep the same students with the same tutors in the same time slot each week.
• It is okay if tutors need to miss a day or two per session, due to vacations, etc. But we need to know as soon as possible in advance.
• We recruit for one session at a time, so you are only committing to that term.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Assist K-12 learners individually in Zoom breakout rooms (Tutors will be asked about their preferred age groups, but we appreciate flexibility)
• Engage learners using open-ended questions to determine their specific needs and goals
• Share knowledge of a subject such as language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies (Tutors will be asked about their preferred subjects, but we appreciate flexibility)
• Be prepared to offer resources (both from the library and reputable online resources) to assist learners
• Use a simple form that can be shared back with students and guardians on what you have covered and the student’s progress.

Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum 18 years or older
• High school or GED diploma
• Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in languages other than English is also needed
• Assist K-12 learners in specific subject areas (tutors give preferences to ages and subjects)
• Empathy and a friendly demeanor
• Exceptional communication and active listening skills
• Proficiency using email
• Proficiency or willingness to gain proficiency in Zoom
• Patience, flexibility, and creativity
• Willingness to use a variety of methods to promote understanding with students
• Respect diversity and appreciate diverse learning abilities
• Commitment to helping individuals reach personal educational goals
• Ability to work as part of a team and to collaborate with other volunteers and staff  
• Responsible and willing to make it to shifts on time, and cancel with plenty of notice when possible
• Teaching or tutoring experience preferred
• Experience working with kids preferred
• Ability to pass a criminal record check. Results of the records check will be reviewed on an individualized basis. A conviction is not an automatic bar to volunteering.
• Note: the more flexible you are with the grades and subjects you are willing to tutor, the more students you will be able to assist.

Training

• Orientation and ongoing training provided by library staff
• As-needed training for continuing education

Join Online Teen Council (6th - 12th grade)

Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:00 pm or Thursdays, 4:00 - 5:00 pm

• A safe place for everyone to be themselves, whoever that may be.
• A virtual space to hang out with new friends, share ideas, and find things in common.
• A place to advocate for a cause.
• A way to support the library while earning volunteer hours.

Please email libraryevents@multcolib.org for details on how to join.

Middle and high school students meet to get involved at neighborhood libraries. Teen councils meet twice monthly and work with library staff to help improve services for teens. This is an opportunity to help the library organize and facilitate teen meetings, plan teen activities, develop library displays and help with library events. Meeting other Teen Council members is an added bonus.

• A fun, simple way to earn volunteer hours  
• A chance to eat free (yummy) snacks
• A venue for meeting new people outside of school  
• A way to be a part of your library.
• An opportunity to collaborate on or lead group projects
• A place to plan a community event or advocate for a cause 
• A safe place to be yourself

Location: Gresham Library, 385 NW Miller Avenue, Gresham, OR 97030 

Time Commitment: 2 times per month for one hour each

Age Requirement: 12-18 years old

Meeting Dates & Times: 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 4:00-5:30pm 

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Respect and support other council members
• Participate in meetings and in teen council brainstorming and activities
• Learn how to contribute ideas and get things done
• Chance to organize and facilitate council meetings
• Identify ways that adults can help

Skills & Qualifications

• Ability to work with other teens
• Dependability

Training & Other Requirements

• A volunteer application must be completed in order to earn service hours

Benefits

• Build skills in event planning and evaluation
• Find a community of people who care about the same issues you do 
• Connect with people in your neighborhood
• Get service hours for school and scholarships
• Opportunities to collaborate on or lead group projects.  
• Opportunities to plan a community event or advocate for a cause.  
• A safe place to be yourself.

Students in 8th-12th grade meet to get involved at neighborhood libraries. Teen councils meet twice monthly and work with library staff to help improve services for teens. This is an opportunity to help the library organize and facilitate teen meetings, plan teen activities, develop library displays and help with library events. Meeting other Teen Council members is an added bonus.

• A fun, simple way to earn volunteer hours  
• A chance to eat free (yummy) snacks
• A venue for meeting new people outside of school  
• A way to be a part of your library.
• An opportunity to collaborate on or lead group projects
• A place to plan a community event or advocate for a cause 
• A safe place to be yourself

Location: Hillsdale Library, 1525 SW Sunset Boulevard, Portland, OR 97239 

Time Commitment: 2-3 times per month for one hour each

Age Requirement: 12-18 years old

Meeting Dates & Times: Every other Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 pm (upcoming dates)

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Respect and support other council members
• Participate in meetings and in teen council brainstorming and activities
• Learn how to contribute ideas and get things done
• Chance to organize and facilitate council meetings
• Identify ways that adults can help

Skills & Qualifications

• Ability to work with other teens
• Dependability

Training & Other Requirements

• A volunteer application must be completed in order to earn service hours

Benefits

• Build skills in event planning and evaluation
• Find a community of people who care about the same issues you do 
• Connect with people in your neighborhood
• Get service hours for school and scholarships
• Opportunities to collaborate on or lead group projects.  
• Opportunities to plan a community event or advocate for a cause.  
• A safe place to be yourself.

Middle and high school students meet to get involved at neighborhood libraries. Teen councils meet twice monthly and work with library staff to help improve services for teens. This is an opportunity to help the library organize and facilitate teen meetings, plan teen activities, develop library displays and help with library events. Meeting other Teen Council members is an added bonus.

• A fun, simple way to earn volunteer hours  
• A chance to eat free (yummy) snacks
• A venue for meeting new people outside of school  
• A way to be a part of your library.
• An opportunity to collaborate on or lead group projects
• A place to plan a community event or advocate for a cause 
• A safe place to be yourself

Location: Hollywood Library, 4040 NE Tillamook St, Portland, OR, 97212

Time Commitment: 2 times per month for one hour each

Age Requirement: 12-18 years old

Meeting Dates & Times: 2nd & 4th Thursday, 4:00-5:00pm 

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Respect and support other council members
• Participate in meetings and in teen council brainstorming and activities
• Learn how to contribute ideas and get things done
• Chance to organize and facilitate council meetings
• Identify ways that adults can help

Skills & Qualifications

• Ability to work with other teens
• Dependability

Training & Other Requirements

• A volunteer application must be completed in order to earn service hours

Benefits

• Build skills in event planning and evaluation
• Find a community of people who care about the same issues you do 
• Connect with people in your neighborhood
• Get service hours for school and scholarships
• Opportunities to collaborate on or lead group projects.  
• Opportunities to plan a community event or advocate for a cause.  
• A safe place to be yourself.

Middle and high school students meet to get involved at neighborhood libraries. Teen councils meet twice monthly and work with library staff to help improve services for teens. This is an opportunity to help the library organize and facilitate teen meetings, plan teen activities, develop library displays and help with library events. Meeting other Teen Council members is an added bonus.

• A fun, simple way to earn volunteer hours  
• A chance to eat free (yummy) snacks
• A venue for meeting new people outside of school  
• A way to be a part of your library and make a difference in it
• A safe place to be yourself

Location: Rockwood Library, 17917 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97233

Time Commitment: Two 1.5 hour meetings per month

Age Requirement: 12-18 years old

Meeting Dates & Times: 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 4:15-5:45pm 

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Respect and support other council members
• Participate in meetings and in teen council brainstorming and activities
• Learn how to contribute ideas and get things done
• Help organize and facilitate council meetings
• Identify ways that adults can help

Skills & Qualifications

• Willingness to work with other teens
• Dependability

Other Requirements

• A volunteer application must be completed in order to earn service hours

Benefits

• Build skills in event planning and evaluation
• Find a community of people who care about the same issues you do 
• Connect with library staff and people in your neighborhood
• Get service hours for school and scholarships
• An opportunity to advocate for a cause or plan a community event
• A chance to lead and/or collaborate on group projects.

Students grades 3rd-6th meet to get involved at neighborhood libraries. Tween councils meet twice monthly and work with library staff to help improve services for tweens. This is an opportunity to help the library improve the collection for tweens, plan tween activities, develop library displays and help with library events, and generally facilitate a way to get tween input and involvement in the library. Meeting other Tween Council members is an added bonus.

• A fun, simple way to earn volunteer hours  

• A chance to eat free (yummy) snacks

• A venue for meeting new people outside of school  

• A way to be a part of your library

• An opportunity to collaborate on or lead group projects 

• A place to plan a community event or advocate for a cause  

• A safe place to be yourself!

Location: Kenton Library, 8226 N Denver, Portland, OR 97217

Time Commitment:  2 meetings per month, 90 minutes each

Age Requirement: 9 - 12 years old

Meeting Dates & Time: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 4:30-6:00 PM

Tasks & Responsibilities 

• Respect and support other council members
• Participate in meetings and in tween council brainstorming and activities
• Learn how to contribute ideas and get things done
• Chance to organize and facilitate council meetings and library events
• Identify ways that adults can help improve the library for tweens

Skills & Qualifications

• Ability to work with other tweens
• Dependability

Training & Other Requirements

• Training will be provided at the library as needed
• A volunteer application must be completed in order to earn service hours

Benefits

• Build skills in event planning and evaluation
• Find a community of people who care about the same issues you do 
• Learn from others who have different life experiences and opinions
• Connect with people in your neighborhood
• Get service hours for school
• Opportunities to collaborate on or lead group projects  
• Opportunities to plan a community event or advocate for a cause 
• A safe place to be yourself.

Students ages 9-12 meet to get involved at neighborhood libraries. Tween councils meet twice monthly and work with library staff to help improve services for tweens. This is an opportunity to help the library improve the collection for tweens, plan tween activities, develop library displays and help with library events, and generally facilitate a way to get tween input and involvement in the library. Meeting other Tween Council members is an added bonus.

• A fun, simple way to earn volunteer hours  

• A chance to eat free (yummy) snacks

• A venue for meeting new people outside of school  

• A way to be a part of your library

• An opportunity to collaborate on or lead group projects 

• A place to plan a community event or advocate for a cause  

• A safe place to be yourself!

Location: Rockwood Library, 17917 SE Stark Street, Portland, OR 97233

Time Commitment:  2 meetings per month, 60 minutes each

Age Requirement: 9 - 12 years old

Meeting Dates & Time: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 PM

Tasks & Responsibilities 

• Respect and support other council members

• Participate in meetings and in tween council brainstorming and activities

• Learn how to contribute ideas and get things done

• Chance to organize and facilitate council meetings and library events

• Identify ways that adults can help improve the library for tweens

Skills & Qualifications

• Ability to work with other tweens

• Dependability

Training & Other Requirements

• Training will be provided at the library as needed

• A volunteer application must be completed in order to earn service hours

Benefits

• Build skills in event planning and evaluation

• Find a community of people who care about the same issues you do 

• Learn from others who have different life experiences and opinions

• Connect with people in your neighborhood

• Get service hours for school

• Opportunities to collaborate on or lead group projects  

• Opportunities to plan a community event or advocate for a cause 

• A safe place to be yourself.

Students grades 4th-6th meet to get involved at neighborhood libraries. Tween councils meet twice monthly and work with library staff to help improve services for tweens. This is an opportunity to help the library improve the collection for tweens, plan tween activities, develop library displays and help with library events, and generally facilitate a way to get tween input and involvement in the library. Meeting other Tween Council members is an added bonus.

• A fun, simple way to earn volunteer hours  

• A chance to eat free (yummy) snacks

• A venue for meeting new people outside of school  

• A way to be a part of your library

• An opportunity to collaborate on or lead group projects 

• A place to plan a community event or advocate for a cause  

• A safe place to be yourself!

Location: Woodstock Library, 6008 SE 49th Ave, Portland, OR 97206

Time Commitment: 2 meetings per month, 1 hour each

Age Requirement: 4th-6th grade

Meeting Dates & Time: 2nd and 4th Fridays, 4:00-5:00 PM

Tasks & Responsibilities 

• Respect and support other council members
• Participate in meetings and in tween council brainstorming and activities
• Learn how to contribute ideas and get things done
• Chance to organize and facilitate council meetings and library events
• Identify ways that adults can help improve the library for tweens

Skills & Qualifications

• Ability to work with other tweens
• Dependability

Training & Other Requirements

• Training will be provided at the library as needed
• A volunteer application must be completed in order to earn service hours

 Benefits

• Build skills in event planning and evaluation
• Find a community of people who care about the same issues you do 
• Learn from others who have different life experiences and opinions
• Connect with people in your neighborhood
• Get service hours for school
• Opportunities to collaborate on or lead group projects  
• Opportunities to plan a community event or advocate for a cause 
• A safe place to be yourself