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.
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 shifts per month for six months
Current Openings
Capitol Hill Library: Flexible (evenings or anytime on Saturday)
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
All human volunteers serving in person will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or receive an approved religious or medical exception from the vaccine.
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 that need help with mobile devices, websites, downloading, e-readers, getting started with tech, and more. See the bottom of this description for libraries with in-person volunteer opportunities.
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, and the patron will navigate through the steps themselves. We are in great need of volunteers that speak English and also bilingual Spanish, Vietnamese, Cantonese/Mandarin, and Ukrainian/Russian.
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
Benefits
Share your technology experience with the community
Learn behind-the-scenes information about how technology classes are conducted in the library
Training & Other Requirements
In-person Volunteer Opportunities
In-person Tech Help is currently happening at several library locations including Central, Capitol Hill, Fairview-Columbia, Kenton, Rockwood, Troutdale, St Johns and Woodstock. Other locations may offer Tech Help in the future so let us know if you’re interested in a particular location that isn’t listed.
Sessions take place at various times and days, including evenings and weekends, and are added as needed and/or when volunteers are available. Start dates are flexible and the day, time, and location of your shift will be decided in collaboration with the Tech Help team.
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: 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
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 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