The purpose of this policy is to provide overall guidance and direction to the staff and to volunteers. It is intended for internal management guidance only and does not constitute, either implicitly or explicitly, a binding contractual or personnel agreement.
Selection of Volunteers: The Northborough Free Library welcomes members of the community to volunteer their time and talents to expand and enhance library services. Volunteers supplement, but do not replace, the work done by library employees. Volunteers are expected to act in accordance with library policies and to reflect positive customer service attitudes to all library patrons and staff. Volunteers are selected for projects or tasks within a specific department of the library depending on need, availability, qualifications, and personal interest. Selection and scheduling of volunteers is the responsibility of the Library's Volunteer Coordinator, with the exception of Children's and Teen Room Volunteers, which are scheduled by respective library department heads.
Schedules: Volunteers must set up and adhere to a schedule agreed upon by relevant department staff. Changes to volunteer schedules must be cleared by department staff. Volunteers must sign in at the assigned department upon arrival and record their hours when signing out. In order to maintain a smooth workflow, volunteers may not work unapproved shifts or perform duties not specifically assigned to them by department staff.
Training and Supervision: Volunteers must schedule training with the appropriate staff person who will supervise their work. All training must be done satisfactorily before the volunteer’s service begins.
Volunteers Under the Age of 18
The library occasionally has special volunteer opportunities for residents under the age of 18. In all cases, applications must be filled out and submitted by the individual wishing to volunteer. The library will not accept applications on behalf of an individual.
Community Service
Persons who seek volunteer assignments at the Northborough Free Library to meet a requirement set by an outside agency for the performance of community service shall be subject to the above recruitment and selection process and all other provisions of this policy. Persons should contact their agency to determine if the library is on the agency’s approved list of organizations to complete their community service hours.
Court appointed community service volunteers should consult with the Library Director concerning their community service requirements to see if an appropriate volunteer opportunity exists. Responsibility for ensuring service hours qualify for court-mandated service rests with the individual completing the volunteer service.
Senior Work-Off Programs
Eligible seniors may reduce their real estate tax bills by working part-time for the Town of Northborough. Placement at the library is based on availability of suitable work. Coordination for this program is done through the Senior Center.
Friends of the Northborough Library, Inc.
Any interested volunteer who would like to work with the Friends of the Northborough Library should contact the Friends directly.
Regulations:
- The Library Director reserves the right to dismiss any volunteer without cause.
- Volunteers are prohibited from entering areas marked as “staff only” or “authorized personnel only” without prior authorization.
- Volunteers may not use staff computers at any time. Volunteers needing access to the library’s collection databases must use the OPAC to do so.
- Volunteers are prohibited from staffing or standing behind a service desk, answering the phone, or providing direct patron assistance outside of referring patrons to a service desk.
Last Update: January 2025
Approved by the Board of Library Trustees on March 12, 2025