Volunteering – King County Library System https://kcls.org Sat, 31 Dec 2022 19:54:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://cor-liv-cdn-static.bibliocommons.com/images/WA-KCLS/favicon.ico Volunteering – King County Library System https://kcls.org 32 32 What information do I need to provide in my volunteer application? https://kcls.org/faqs/what-information-do-i-need-to-provide-in-my-volunteer-application/ Fri, 03 Sep 2021 19:43:14 +0000 https://kcls.org/?post_type=bccms_faq&p=15603734 We require all volunteers to complete the following:

  • Washington State Patrol background check
  • King County Library System Disclosure Form
  • Volunteer Agreement Form
  • Parent/Guardian Signature Form (if volunteer is under 18)

None of these forms ask for your social security number or documentation status. The Washington State Patrol background check and King County Library System Disclosure Form are confidential. Your volunteer supervisor will only share them with our Human Resources department.

]]> How do I become a Talk Time Volunteer? https://kcls.org/faqs/how-do-i-become-a-talk-time-volunteer/ Mon, 17 May 2021 22:42:51 +0000 https://kcls.org/?post_type=bccms_faq&p=15601284 Help people in your community practice their conversational English skills! The goal of Talk Time is to generate conversation between English Language Learners. This is so learners can practice speaking from their current level of skill.

Duties

Your role as a volunteer will be as a facilitator, not a teacher. Teaching reading, writing or grammar is not required. Instead, you will plan and assist in discussion activities.

Qualifications
Talk Time volunteers must be Washington State residents and at least 18 years old.

Volunteers will need a personal laptop or computer with reliable internet access. This equipment is needed to participate on the Zoom platform. They also must be comfortable using the basic tools in Zoom.

Time Commitment
2 hours, 1 day per week

How to Apply

Volunteers must complete:

  • an online application,
  • interview and class observation,
  • Washington State Patrol criminal history check, and
  • volunteer agreement forms.

Applications are reviewed on an as-needed basis.

Fill out an online Talk Time application.

]]> Can I volunteer at a Makerspace? https://kcls.org/faqs/can-i-volunteer-at-a-makerspace/ Fri, 21 Feb 2020 20:30:34 +0000 https://kcls.org/?post_type=bccms_faq&p=9257732 No. We're not offering volunteer opportunities at library Makerspaces at this time.

]]> What are the benefits of volunteering for the library? https://kcls.org/faqs/what-are-the-benefits-of-volunteering-at-the-library/ Wed, 20 Feb 2019 22:34:06 +0000 http://kcls.bibliocms.com/?post_type=bccms_faq&p=1942 Volunteers may:

  • Improve their ability to use the library.
  • Enjoy closer interaction with staff and other library users
  • Gain or strengthen useful skills. This includes: 
    • mentoring,
    • organization,
    • communication,
    • teamwork, and
    • leadership.
  • Positively represent the library to their community.

We honor all our current volunteers during National Volunteer Week in April. Volunteers may get small gifts and attend recognition events.

Eligible volunteers may ask for documentation of hours served. We limit letters of recommendation to a description of tasks performed.

We are a certifying organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). Eligible volunteers may get a:

  • Personalized certificate (with your name).
  • Lapel pin (bronze, silver, gold or lifetime depending on total hours).
  • Congratulatory letter from the President of the United States.

Volunteers may earn award packages at the bronze, silver, and gold levels. Participation is optional. To qualify:
send a total of your hours within 12 consecutive months to your volunteer supervisor.

]]> How do I log my volunteer hours? https://kcls.org/faqs/how-do-i-log-my-volunteer-hours/ Fri, 29 Apr 2016 20:26:06 +0000 http://kcls.bibliocms.com/?post_type=bccms_faq&p=30908 Current volunteers should login to track your hours.

]]> I have questions about virtual volunteer opportunities. https://kcls.org/faqs/questions-about-volunteering/ Fri, 22 Jan 2016 00:48:57 +0000 http://kcls.bibliocms.com/?post_type=bccms_faq&p=2272

Types of Opportunities

Who to Contact
Talk Time Classes for Practicing English  jhkempe@kcls.org
Escape Room Designer or Editor apoyner@kcls.org
Study Zone Tutoring apoyner@kcls.org

 

]]> How do I become a Study Zone Volunteer? https://kcls.org/faqs/study-zone-volunteers/ Tue, 12 Jan 2016 21:43:05 +0000 http://kcls.bibliocms.com/?post_type=bccms_faq&p=1954 Provide academic support for students in grades K-12 during Study Zone hours. Study Zone programs include Tutors, Reading Buddies, and Math Club. We offer these programs online and in libraries.

Roles and Shifts

In-person shifts

You will need to go to a library for these shifts.

Role Duties Shift and Age Requirements
Tutors
  • Assist students in grades K-12 with homework and study skills.
  • Help 1-5 students at a time.
  • 2 hours per week
  • Ages 16 and older
Reading Buddies
  • Share eBooks with students.
  • Coach pronunciation, pace, and comprehension.
  • Help 1-2 students at a time.
  • 1 hour per week
  • Ages 15 and older

Online shifts

You will need to log in to Zoom for these shifts.

Role Duties Shift and Age Requirements
Greeters
  • Welcome students.
  • Work with staff to place students in requested breakout rooms.
  • Track and report student attendance data.
  • Reading Buddy Greeter Shift:
    1 hour per week 
  • Tutor Shift:
    2 hours per week
  • Ages 16 and older
Lobby Rovers
  • Rotate through rooms.
  • Observe and convey messages and assist with basic troubleshooting.
  • Lobby Rovers do not teach or tutor.
  • Reading Buddy Shift:
    1 hour per week  
  • Tutor Shift:
    2 hours per week
  • Ages 15 and older
Reading Buddies
  • Share eBooks with students.
  • Coach reading pronunciation, pace, and comprehension.
  • Help 1-2 students at a time, in a Zoom breakout room.
  • 1 hour per week
  • Ages 16 and older
Tutors and Rover Tutors
  • Assist students in grades K-12 with homework and study skills.
  • Help 1-2 students at a time, in a Zoom breakout room.
  • 2 hours per week
  • Ages 16 and older
Math Club Instructors Prepare a weekly lesson plan and teach a 1-hour class.
  • 2 hours per week (1 hour per week asynchronous lesson planning and 1 hour per week teaching online)
  • Ages 16-19

Qualifications

State of Residence

You must be a Washington State resident to volunteer at Study Zone.

Age

Find age requirements for each volunteer role in the charts above. Age requirements are minimums. Adults are welcome to apply for any role except Math Club Instructors.

Equipment

To volunteer online, you'll need to have your own equipment so that you can participate on Zoom. You must have a personal laptop or computer with reliable internet access.

How to Apply

We accept applications throughout the year.

  • To apply for in-person roles, contact the Tutor or Reading Buddy staff liaison at your library.  Ask for the Teen or Children’s Services Librarian.
  • To apply for online volunteer roles, complete the Study Zone Online application.

Holidays and Breaks

Study Zone is closed during all major holidays and for the following breaks:

  • Mid-winter break (week of Presidents Day in February)
  • Two weeks at the beginning and end of summer
  • Thanksgiving week
  • Winter break (last two weeks of December)
]]> How do I become a volunteer at the library? https://kcls.org/faqs/how-do-i-become-a-volunteer-at-kcls/ Tue, 12 Jan 2016 21:36:22 +0000 http://kcls.bibliocms.com/?post_type=bccms_faq&p=1948 Some libraries have openings for volunteers to help with programs and services. Please contact your local library for more information.

There are also several opportunities to volunteer online. Check the How to Apply section for details.

]]> Can I get enough volunteer hours to fulfill my community service requirement? https://kcls.org/faqs/can-i-get-enough-volunteer-hours-to-fulfill-my-community-service-requirement/ Tue, 12 Jan 2016 21:35:40 +0000 http://kcls.bibliocms.com/?post_type=bccms_faq&p=1946 We receive more inquiries from applicants than we have volunteer tasks available. Most volunteers serve an average of just 5-7 hours per month. As a result, we may not be able to provide enough hours to those in need of fulfilling school or diversion program or community service requirements.

]]> Is there an age requirement for virtual volunteering? https://kcls.org/faqs/is-there-an-age-requirement-for-volunteering/ Tue, 12 Jan 2016 21:34:52 +0000 http://kcls.bibliocms.com/?post_type=bccms_faq&p=1944 Some virtual volunteer opportunities are open to ages 18 and older only, while others are open to ages 14 and up. Go to the How to Apply section section for details about the option you're interested in.

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