Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Multnomah County Library!
Here is how to use this website to find volunteer opportunities:
If you don't see anything that interests you right now, we encourage you to check back. We post volunteer opportunities as they are available.
Questions? Contact Volunteer Services by email at libvols@multcolib.org or by phone at 503.988.5731
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
Skills & Qualifications
Benefits
Training & Other Requirements
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
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
Skills & Qualifications
Benefits
Training
Currently recruiting for:
K-12 Virtual Tutoring 2023 Terms (all on Tuesdays from 4:00 - 6:00 pm)
Time Commitment
Tasks & Responsibilities
Skills & Qualifications
Training
Join Online Teen Council (6th - 12th grade)
Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:00 pm or Thursdays, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
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.
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
Skills & Qualifications
Training & Other Requirements
Benefits
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.
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
Skills & Qualifications
Training & Other Requirements
Benefits
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.
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
Skills & Qualifications
Training & Other Requirements
Benefits
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.
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
Skills & Qualifications
Other Requirements
Benefits
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
Skills & Qualifications
Training & Other Requirements
Benefits
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
Skills & Qualifications
Training & Other Requirements
Benefits
Our Mission: Empowering our community to learn and create