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Volunteering

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Friends of the Library!

The Friends rely on volunteers to successfully support the Metropolitan Library System. As a volunteer, you can help at one of our book sale events or volunteer at our Sort Site.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s time for Winter Book Sale 2027!

holding area pickup point with two smiling volunteers

When is this volunteer opportunity?

The next Friends Book Sale will be February 27 and 28, with volunteer shifts available February 21 to March 1, including set up and tear down. Click HERE for more information about the actual event. 

What do I do to sign up for and volunteer with the Book Sale?

  • Choose the way you’d like to help and the day and time that work for you.
  • Log in if you are a returning volunteer or complete the online volunteer application.

What can Book Sale Volunteers do?

  • Assist with moving in and setting up before the sale begins
  • Help customers by monitoring line flow, cashiering, holding purchases, and stocking books on tables
  • Work behind the scenes with fellow volunteers and perform other tasks as needed
  • Receive service hours for schools, clubs, and scholarships
  • Have fun

Click here to volunteer for Book Sale!*

*note that volunteer shift opportunities may not be open until November 1, 2026.

It’s time for Summer Book Sale 2026!

holding area pickup point with two smiling volunteers

When is this volunteer opportunity?

The next Friends Book Sale will be August 14 and 15, with volunteer shifts available August 10-16, including set up and tear down. Click HERE for more information about the actual event. 

What do I do to sign up for and volunteer with the Book Sale?

  • Choose the way you’d like to help and the day and time that work for you.
  • Log in if you are a returning volunteer or complete the online volunteer application.

What can Book Sale Volunteers do?

  • Assist with moving in and setting up before the sale begins
  • Help customers by monitoring line flow, cashiering, holding purchases, and stocking books on tables
  • Work behind the scenes with fellow volunteers and perform other tasks as needed
  • Receive service hours for schools, clubs, and scholarships
  • Have fun

Click here to volunteer for Book Sale!*

*note that volunteer shift opportunities may not be open until November 1, 2026.

Sort Site volunteers get books ready for Book Sale!

When is this volunteer opportunity?Carolyn Russell smiling as she sorts books

Sort Site volunteers are welcome year-round!

Volunteers choose a day of the week and volunteer throughout year, Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

How do I get started volunteering at the Sort Site?

  • Choose the way you’d like to help and the days that work for you
  • Complete the online volunteer application
  • Sort Site volunteers will then begin an approval process, including a background check, orientation, and training

What can I do as a Sort Site volunteer?

  • Help in the warehouse where books are received
  • Sort and box book donations and library withdrawals to be sold at the Book Sale
  • Post qualifying books for sale through Amazon or eBay and manage the mailing of books
  • Enjoy the camaraderie of fellow book lovers

Click Here to Sign Up

Love of books and reading inspired my volunteering with Friends, but making sure others have the opportunity to have a book of their own is why I help at both the sort site and sale.
Valerie Hernandez
Valerie Hernandez
I absolutely love reading, books and the library, and the Friends of the Library is the best place to (give/show) my support.
Paul Thiel
Paul Thiel
This has been so fun. It makes you feel young to be out here volunteering. It's very inspiring! I feel like I can do this for a long time!
Cheryl Pennington
Cheryl Pennington
If I want to volunteer with a group, how do we do that?

Each person interested in volunteering will need to select an opportunity and complete the online volunteer profile before volunteering. This ensures that we have the appropriate number of volunteers in each area for each shift.

How old do I need to be to volunteer?

Volunteers for the Friends must be 14 years of age or older for many book sale roles. Volunteers for the Friends at the Sort Site must be 18 years of age or older.  Due to insurance requirements, there are no exceptions to this rule.

Can I bring my children with me to volunteer?

Unfortunately, for safety reasons, no. Children 14 years of age or older who will be with you must be registered as book sale volunteers.  Children under the age of 13 are not eligible to volunteer and are not permitted to accompany you.

Children under the age of 18 are not permitted to volunteer at our Sort Site location. 

I can't stand for long periods of time; is there still a place for me to volunteer?

Yes! For Book Sale, please choose either customer service or cashiering. These areas have jobs that are suitable for sitting.

For the Sort Site, please choose online sales or other computer-based and seated roles.

Can I just come out and help at the Sort Site or Book Sale?

No, you’ll need to sign up for an available opportunity and in some cases receive approval before volunteering. You can sign up through the links here. 

Closed

The Friends of the Metropolitan Library Sort Site is currently closed.

The Sort Site will not be accepting donations at this time and will reopen on Monday, July 1.

For questions, please contact development@metrolibrary.org.