Volunteers are a vital part of the library team. Generally, volunteers do not work directly with the public. There are many critical operations which volunteers perform that release the staff to assist library users.

The best way to become a library volunteer is to call the library where you wish to work to determine if there are volunteer positions available.

Prior to placing you in a volunteer position, you will be scheduled for an interview with the Volunteer Coordinator at that library. You will fill out an application and be interviewed. This will help us learn about your skills, interests, experience, service preferences, and availability. This information will be compared to a file of staff requests for volunteers.

We will place you as soon as possible in a position which will best match your needs and our needs. There are short-term or long-term assignments available. Volunteer hours per week vary greatly according to the needs of the library and your available time.

Other Volunteer Groups

In addition to giving your time as an individual to your local branch, you can contribute your time to an advisory group:

County Library Board
The thirteen-member unpaid County Library Board inquires into all matters affecting the County public library system and makes recommendations to the County Executive either directly or through the Director. Twelve of the members are appointed by the County Executive and approved by the Council. The thirteenth is appointed by the Board of Education. Each Library Board member is assigned two or three libraries and attends the meetings of those local advisory committees. The Director of the Montgomery County Public Libraries serves as Secretary to the Library Board and provides clerical support with staff from the Director's administrative office.

Library Advisory Committees
Each branch library has a Library Advisory Committee of three to sixteen members designated by the County Library Board to represent constituents from that branch library's service area. These committees advise the local library manager, the Library Board and the County Executive concerning the library needs in the area which they represent; suggest overall improvements to the County library system; and make recommendations concerning membership on the Board.

Library Advisory Committee (LAC) membership forms and applications for a given library can be obtained by asking at the information desk of that library. LAC members serve up to two, three-year terms, and membership must be approved by the Library Board.

LAC Handbook (Adobe PDF file)

Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Maryland, Inc.
The Friends enhance the public library system by funding programs, services, and publications. We distribute free and discounted books to deserving communities, encourage reading among children and adult life-long learning, promote librarianship as a career, support local writers by sponsoring author programs, and educate non-traditional library users about the public library system. Membership is open to individuals, families, and corporations. Dues vary from $25 to $1,000 for sponsoring corporate members.

Cooperative Volunteer Arrangements

We place many volunteers in co-operation with other agencies and organizations.

SSLP Volunteers
Student Service Learning Program. Young people and high school students who are working to fulfill community service requirements (SSLP) for high school graduation give valuable assistance to their local libraries.  Complete the Student Volunteer Application, and submit it at your local library.

Interns or Practicum Students
Students working towards their undergraduate degrees in journalism and graduate degrees in library and information sciences give valuable service and get valuable experience through structured library volunteer activities credited toward their degree.

Cooperative Recruitment Programs
Montgomery County Public Libraries cooperates with various volunteer agencies which serve as recruitment and placement centers, such as the Montgomery County Volunteer Center, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, and the Alternative Community Services program.

Questions about Volunteering?
For questions about volunteering with a branch of the Montgomery County Public Libraries, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at that branch.