Role of Volunteers:

The Tom Green County Library welcomes the use of volunteers to enhance library service to the community. Volunteers generally provide support services to staff or work on special projects.

Selection and Retention of Volunteers:

Volunteers are selected based on their qualifications and the needs of the library at any given time. All volunteers must be at least 14 years of age. Volunteers may be selected by department managers or supervisors based on a completed volunteer application form and an interview. The Library Director and staff shall use their discretion in determining the appropriate use and retention of volunteers.

Friends of the Tom Green County Library:

The Friends of the Tom Green County Library is a separate organization, which supports the library in many ways, including volunteers. The Friends may recruit volunteers for various activities, including programs, book sales, and special projects. Friends volunteers work under the direction of a designated library staff member.

Training and Supervision:

Volunteers will receive training in their assigned duties from a library staff member under the direction of a department manager. Volunteers shall work when adequate supervision is available. Each volunteer and his or her supervisor will arrange work schedules and specific time commitments individually.

Community Service:

Persons who seek volunteer assignments at the Tom Green County Library to meet a requirement set by an outside agency for the performance of community service shall be subject to the above selection process and all other provisions of this policy. Any required training time will not count toward community service hours.

Reporting of Hours Worked:

Volunteers will report hours worked on the volunteer time sheet. Arrival and departure time will be recorded on the volunteer time sheet. These sheets will be turned in to the County Treasurer on a monthly basis for workers compensation purposes. Only volunteers scheduled on a regular basis will be covered by the County’s Workers Compensation program. Temporary and one time volunteers will not be covered.