Purpose
Library volunteers support and enhance the work of Northland Public Library (NPL), enriching its programs and services.
The purpose of the Northland Volunteer Policy is to protect the rights and safety of Library patrons, staff and volunteers as well as to preserve and protect the materials, facilities and property of NPL.
Definition
A Library volunteer is defined as an individual who assists with work done at NPL without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered. For the purposes of NPL policies, Northland Public Library Authority and Northland Public Library Foundation board members are considered to be Library volunteers.
Applicants for volunteering under the age of 18 are required to have parental/guardian permission before volunteering. Applicants under the age of 14 will be reviewed on a case by case basis in order to participate in the volunteer program. Applicants 18 years of age and older must have or obtain the clearances as defined in the Northland Public Library Volunteer Clearances Policy: www.northlandlibrary.org/about-northland/general-policies/volunteer-clearance-policy/
Volunteer Placement
- Volunteers are placed in positions best suited to their skills, interests and availability.
- NPL does not guarantee a position for each prospective volunteer and has the right to reject any application without cause.
- Volunteer placement is based on the:
- Qualifications of volunteer applicants
- Needs of NPL at any given time
- Volunteer’s ability to commit to a consistent schedule of hours (if required); and
- Availability of staff time to supervise volunteers
Volunteer Application and Interview Requirement
- All NPL volunteer applicants must complete a volunteer application form found on NPL’s website: https://www.northlandlibrary.org/volunteer-opportunities/
- Receipt of applications will be acknowledged within two weeks of submission.
- Applicants will be contacted to be interviewed for possible placement by the Volunteer Coordinator or the Director of Library Services. The interview will include a snapshot of the volunteer program overall, Library policies and a description of the current volunteer opportunities.
Work Assignments, Supervision & Training
- Volunteers who have been matched with a volunteer assignment will meet with the supervisor for that assignment for training specific to that assignment.
- Volunteers must attend an orientation session within 6 months of starting where they will receive additional training on safety and NPL policies.
- Volunteers should make every effort to contact their supervisor if they will be absent or tardy.
- Volunteers who are family members of Library staff may not be placed under the direct supervision of their family member.
- Volunteers may be dismissed from duties at any time without cause.
Screening of Employees as Volunteers
In order to comply with the Department of Labor’s Fair Labor Standards Act and specific regulations, NPL will use the following criteria to determine if an employee may volunteer. An employee may be considered for a volunteer position if:
- The services are entirely voluntary, with no coercion by staff, no promise of advancement, and no penalty for not volunteering;
- The volunteer does not replace another employee or impair the employment opportunities of others by performing work that would otherwise be performed by regular employees;
- The volunteer serves without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered;
- The activity does not take place during the employee’s regular working hours or scheduled overtime hours;
- The volunteer time is insubstantial in relation to the employee’s regular hours.
- Employees may qualify as volunteers only if they volunteer to perform distinctly different services than they are otherwise employed to perform.
- Former employees will be permitted to volunteer with the approval of the Director of Library Services and be provided a complete understanding and description of the role of volunteer vs. staff tasks.
- Former employees must wait at least 30 days from their last day of employment to begin volunteering at NPL. They must also sign the Volunteer Agreement (below).
Northland Public Library
Volunteer Agreement for
Former Employees
I ___________________________________ hereby confirm that I voluntarily resigned my position as a
_____________________________________ with NPL effective _______________________________. I understand that I cannot return to NPL as a volunteer until a minimum of 30 calendar days after the effective date of my resignation.
This is also to confirm that it is solely my decision to volunteer at NPL and that no one at NPL has in any way attempted to persuade or otherwise influence my decision to resign my position or to return as a volunteer.
Agreed to and understood this ____________ day of ______________, 20__
Signature: ______________________________________________
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*The Northland Public Library Authority and Northland Public Library Foundation each have their own policies and procedures for application, and placement and training for their respective board members.
Approved 1/23/18
Revised 6/27/23