Opportunities at the Library
The Council Bluffs Public Library relies on the generous support of volunteers in its efforts to best serve the community. Volunteers assist in running the Friends of the Library Bookstore, shelving books, delivering books to patrons homebound, assisting with events & programs and much more!
Please complete the form below and if your interests match a current opening, our Volunteer Coordinator or library staff member will get in touch with you. Otherwise, your application will be kept on file and you will be considered for future openings. Thank you for supporting your Council Bluffs Public Library!
If you would like to know more about volunteering for the book store or book sale, please contact the Friends of the Library at friends@councilbluffslibrary.org or 712-323-7553 ext. 4006.
Teen Volunteers
The library accepts Teen Volunteers beginning with the summer after 5th grade, ending with the summer after 12th grade, and everything in between! As a Teen Volunteer, you can earn service hours to fulfill school and organizational requirements, have fines forgiven from your library account, and gives you the chance to give back to your community.
Applications are accepted continuously. If you would like to become a Teen Volunteer at the Council Bluffs Public Library, follow these steps:
- Fill out the Teen Volunteer Application.
- Download the Teen Volunteers Parental Permission Form here. Please return to Teen Central or email teenvolunteers@councilbluffslibrary.org.
What do teen volunteers do? There are tons of things to do as a Teen Volunteer! Here are some examples of work our Teen Volunteers have done:
- Shelving books and audio-visual materials
- Setting up and tearing down before and after programs
- Helping with the Summer Reading Club
- Helping with computer check-out in Teen Central
- Helping with programs in the Youth Department
- Creating book displays and writing book reviews
- Assisting at special library events
AND MUCH MORE!
What is the time commitment? There are 3 types of Teen Volunteers. You choose the type that fits best with your schedule and goals.
Seasonal Volunteers: You only work for one season per year (for example, summer). If you are a returning Seasonal Volunteer, you are not required to fill out a new application or attend orientation. Please discuss your schedule with the Teen Services Librarian.
Service Learning Volunteers: You need to complete a limited number of hours for school, church, scouts, etc.
Continuous Volunteers: You work at the library on a regular basis. This could be monthly, bimonthly or weekly. Continuous volunteers are limited to 3 hours of work per week, and may be scheduled less than 3 hours per week, depending on the needs of the library.
Volunteer selection is based on the qualifications and interests of the applicants and the needs of the library at any given time. If you are selected as a volunteer, you will be added to our email list and sent weekly invitations detailing volunteer opportunities. At your first shift, you will be asked to watch the Teen Volunteer Orientation Video and then you’ll be able to get started.
The Teen Volunteer Program has a “Three Strikes” policy. If you have to be spoken to 3 times regarding your attendance, tardiness, behavior, or performance, you will no longer be allowed to volunteer at the library.
Volunteers are placed in various positions inside the library and activities may sometimes be unsupervised. If volunteers are needed for a project off-site, additional permission will be sought.
The Friends of the Council Bluffs Public Library also awards an annual scholarship of $500-$1,000 to one or two senior volunteers. To qualify, volunteers must have contributed a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer work throughout his or her junior and senior years of high school. To apply to be a volunteer, please fill out the Teen Volunteer Application above. For questions, contact our Teen Center at teen@councilbluffslibrary.org.
Adult Volunteers
The Friends of the Council Bluffs Public Library operate the Friends of the Library Bookstore, as well as sponsor an annual book sale. The Friends rely on volunteers to staff the Bookstore and prepare and help with the book sale.
If you are an adult interested in becoming a Friends of the Council Bluffs Public Library volunteer, please fill out the Friends of the Council Bluffs Public Library Volunteer Application.
The Library has volunteers that help with a whole host of activities, including:
- Shelving books and audio-visual materials
- Setting up and tearing down before and after programs
- Facilitating Library-Sponsored Book Clubs
- Digitizing material from our Special Collections
- Assisting at special library events
AND MUCH MORE!
If you are an adult interested in becoming a Council Bluffs Public Library volunteer, please fill out the Adult Library Volunteer Application.
Volunteer selection is based on the qualifications and interests of the applicants and the needs of the library at any given time. If you are selected as a volunteer, you will be sent invitations detailing volunteer opportunities. At your first shift, you will be asked to watch the Volunteer Orientation Video and then you’ll be able to get started.
The Adult Volunteer Program has a “Three Strikes” policy. If you have to be spoken to 3 times regarding your attendance, tardiness, behavior, or performance, you will no longer be allowed to volunteer at the library.
Volunteers are placed in various positions inside the library and activities may sometimes be unsupervised. If volunteers are needed for a project off-site, additional permission will be sought.