Harmony Public Library
Volunteer Policy
Mission Statement:
The Harmony Public Library will provide access to various types of materials as well as programs and services that meet the educational and recreational needs of the community.
Goals:
The Harmony Public Library welcomes community members to serve as volunteers.
The Harmony Public Library board recognizes that the engagement and active participation of citizens is important to achieving its goals. Volunteers help the library to meet its commitment to providing quality service to the public, making the best use of resources, and help connect the library to the community.
Volunteer Eligibility Requirements:
To volunteer we request all interested individuals fill out an application form. This application process includes permission for the City of Harmony to conduct a background check and may include a short interview.
Volunteer needs are up to the discretion of the library board and the library director and are based on program needs and available resources. Volunteers are not employees of the City of Harmony and recruitment is meant to enhance rather than replace, adequate staffing. Therefore, a position for each prospective volunteer is not guaranteed and any application may be rejected without cause.
The library accepts volunteers requiring court ordered community service, at the discretion of the library board.
Volunteers between the ages of 12 and 17 (junior volunteers) must have parental consent and parents/guardians of junior volunteers must sign a consent form. Junior volunteers are accepted on a short-term basis. The Harmony Public Library will only accept volunteers ages 12 years and older.
Volunteers are coordinated by the Library Director and are bound by all library policies and procedures, especially those that are related to patron privacy and confidentiality. Library volunteers will be guided by the same work and behavior policies as employees.
Volunteers are considered to have “at-will” status and the library has the right to terminate the working relationship at any time, for any reason.Neither, the City of Harmony, nor the Harmony Public Library will provide any medical, accident, or worker’s compensation benefits for any volunteer.
Orientation and Training:
All volunteers will be required to complete orientation and training to be considered part of the volunteer program. Orientation will consist of reading through the volunteer policy, other applicable policies, covering procedures, and providing a tour of the premises. Training will occur on-the-job and be tailored to your specific volunteer role. A name tag will be provided and must be worn while volunteering.
Volunteer Expectations:
It is important that a volunteer reports to the library at the agreed upon time and vacates the volunteer shift when the tasks assigned are completed. For illness or emergency absence, call or email the library as soon as possible.
As stated above, volunteers are not a replacement for paid staff and may not be given a regular schedule. Each volunteer will be responsible for keeping track of their volunteer hours and log sheets will be kept in the library office.
Volunteers may end their service at any time. When possible, the library would like to complete an exit interview.
Volunteer Tasks:
The following list of volunteer tasks is not exhaustive and volunteer tasks are completed under the direction of library personnel.
- Shelving library materials
- Reading shelves to make sure materials are in order
- Dusting shelves
- Preparing crafts
- Assist with event coordination
- Locating books to be weeded
- Organizing and washing items from the children’s section
- Assist with applying spine labels and book covers
- Help set up displays
- Other duties as assigned, by the Library Director.
Guidelines for Volunteers:
- Volunteers shall be recommended by the Library Director and approved by the Library Board prior to commencing service as a volunteer.
- Volunteers have the right to be given meaningful work, to be treated with respect and recognized for their efforts.
- Volunteers have the right to refuse to perform tasks for any reason.
- Volunteers will receive relevant and sufficient training.
- The schedule for volunteer work is dependent on the availability of staff to supervise.
- Volunteers have the right to request reasonable accommodations
- Junior volunteers 17 or younger must have parent/guardian permission before volunteering.
- A background check may be required for adult volunteers.
- Volunteers may be used to support staff in current library services.
- Volunteers may be used to establish, enhance, and maintain new library services with the understanding that those services may be discontinued if the volunteer should leave their position.
- Volunteers will not be used to replace, reduce, or supplant the number of paid staff.
- Volunteers will perform tasks at their own risk.
- Volunteers are representatives of the Harmony Public Library and are guided by the same work and behavior expectations as employees. They will maintain a professional demeanor towards patrons, staff, and other volunteers.
- Volunteers must abide by all the library policies while performing library tasks.
- Volunteers will respect and maintain the confidentiality of all library and patron information.
- The library staff can provide letters of recommendation or reference for volunteers, upon request.
- This policy does not constitute a contract between the library and a volunteer. Either the library or the volunteer may terminate their association at any time without cause being stated.
Signature_______________________________________ Date______________________
Library Board Approved 05/04/26
Harmony Public Library
Volunteer Application and Waiver of Liability
Name ___________________________________________
Date ________________________
Address_______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Email_________________________________________________________________
Cell-Phone________________________________________________________________
Emergency Contact/Phone________________________________________________________
Why do you want to volunteer at Harmony Public Library?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Areas of Interest:
- Locating and Shelving Library Materials
- Program Support: Assisting with Library Programs
- Collection Maintenance: Assist with Applying Spine Labels and Book Covers
- Special Projects: Short-term Projects
What is your availability?
- Mornings
- Afternoons
- Evenings
- Saturdays
How often would you like to volunteer?
- Weekly
- Monthly
- Special Events
List any special needs or other comments:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Signature_____________________________________ Date___________________________
Waiver of Liability
I, _____________________ (if an adult over the age of 17) or a parent or guardian of ________________, a minor, wish to act as a volunteer for the Harmony Public Library. I do hereby for myself or my child or ward, my heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns release and forever discharge the Harmony Public Library, board members, employees, and agents from any and all matters of action or cause of action, damages, claims, and demands whatsoever, in law or equity, which I, or my child or ward have or may have or had, may have or hereafter acquire arising out of or in any way connected to my or their participation as a volunteer for the Harmony Public Library.
That neither Harmony Public Library, nor its employees or agents shall be held liable for any injury, loss or expense either to me as an adult participant or to my child, ward or me in any capacity as a parent or guardian in any manner as a result of participating as a volunteer for the Harmony Public Library, whether resulting from any negligent act or failure to act by said Library, their employees or agents: and I do hereby agree to fully indemnify the Harmony Public Library, and all persons or entities referenced herein from any and all losses, including, without limitation, attorney fees, in any way related to me or my child or ward’s participation as a volunteer for the Harmony Public Library.
On behalf of myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, I hereby release all rights not inconsistent with this waiver or any of its provisions.
Therefore, I am signing my name under the words “this is a release of rights” to signify my understanding of the provisions of this document.
THIS IS A RELEASE AND WAIVER OF RIGHTS
__________________________________________ ____________________
Individual Participant Date
______________________________________ ________________________
Parent or Guardian Date
Parent/Guardian Volunteer Consent Form
The Harmony Public Library provides youth with the opportunity to complete community service within our library. Under the strict supervision of staff, youth gain valuable experience working in a professional setting performing a variety of tasks.
I authorize ___________________________________ (child’s first and last name) to volunteer at the Harmony Public Library. I further acknowledge that my signature denotes the understanding that my child shall receive no remuneration or compensation of any kind for their volunteer services from the Harmony Public Library.
What is your relationship to the child?________________________________
_________________________________________ ______________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
In case of Emergency, please contact:
Name __________________________________________
Phone Number __________________________________
Relationship to child_______________________________________
Library Board Approved 05/04/26